Meet Dan: Jewish Bucket List Planner of the Week

by Allison Friedman / April 14, 2020

Dan Rosenberg is currently finishing up law school while dreaming about all of the life experiences he is eager to check-off his bucket list post pandemic. Get to know this thoughtful runner, Hillel fan, and low-key martial artist.

Have a suggestion for a Jewish Person of the Week? Email allisonf@gatherdc.org to nominate your friend. colleague, partner, or even yourself!

dan rosenberg

Hiking in Shenandoah

Allie: How did you wind up in DC?

Dan: I came to DC for college at GW 9.5 years ago, and stayed here after graduating from GW. I worked for Hillel International and now am in law school at Georgetown – which I’m currently finishing up virtually.

Allie: How did you decide to go to law school?

Dan: I was fortunate to work with the general counsel while I was at Hillel International on a compliance project with them. There was a lot of problem solving involved in it which was really fun, we had to understand the law and adapt it to Hillel International’s culture. We worked with executive directors in the field to come together and crank out a strategy about how it would work on campus. I also love learning and law offers a lot of opportunities to do that.

Allie: What are you hoping to do after law school graduation?

Dan: I am very lucky, and already got a job at an amazing law firm in DC. They have a lot of different practices areas, and I will be assigned to one soon.

Allie: Were you active in Hillel at GW or Georgetown Law?

Dan: I am currently one of the co-presidents of the board at Georgetown Law’s Jewish Students Association (JSLA) and was active at GW Hillel when I attended there. At GW, I had some adjustment issues in the beginning, and the professionals at Hillel were really there for me. I felt really comfortable getting involved in that community, it felt natural for me. In general, it was a really happy place and I got a lot out of it. I really liked the people there.

Especially at Georgetown, celebrating Shabbat with the Jewish Law Students Association has been a great way people can come together and be themselves without thinking about law school. I think a lot of people benefit from being a part of this community.

dan rosenberg

With Rob Murstein, the other Georgetown JLSA co-president

Allie: Tell me about you involvement with The Den Collective?

Dan: I am a regular attendee of The Den’s Shabbats. They also have meditation and song break outs for Havdallah. I really love Rami and Aderet – they are such thoughtful people. When I was working at Hillel, they were one of the only people who asked if I had a place to go for High Holidays, Shabbat, or Passover, which felt really validating. Rami is so well read and listens so well, and I feel very comfortable with him.

Allie: What is The Den Collective?

Dan: It’s an organic and informal community in NoVA and Maryland for young adults of any Jewish background. If you want to get involved, you can go to their website or reach out directly to Rabbi Rami or Rabbi Aderet.

Allie: Walk me through your dream DC/NoVA day (assuming life has returned to “normal”)?

Dan: I would wake up and go to my favorite coffee shop, Northside Social. Then I would want to explore DC a bit, there are so many cool things to visit in the area. I would definitely go for a run and then check out a new restaurant. After that I would listen to some live music at Pearl Street Warehouse in DC. 

Allie: What does your perfect day look like during this pandemic?

Dan: I would still go to Northside Social, because I want to make sure they make it through this time period. Then I’d go on a hike, or run, or take a long drive. After that, I would call a friend and get some takeout from a DC restaurant, one of my favorites is Clydes.

Allie: Is running a big hobby of yours?

Dan: Yeah. Actually, before the COVID-19 epidemic, I was supposed to run a marathon in Jerusalem on March 20th, but it was postponed. It was one of my bucket list items. It would have been my first marathon and I had just finished doing all of my training. I still hope to do a marathon this year – there’s one in Wichita, Kansas which I’m looking into because another bucket list item of mine is to visit all 50 states.

Allie: What else is on your life bucket list?

Dan: (Pulls out an actual handwritten list). It’s a little long. I have them all written down.

  1. I want to hike the Grand Canyon all the way down to the Colorado River, and maybe do white water rafting there.
  2. I want to see the Northern Lights.
  3. I want to go to Burning Man.
  4. I want to do base camp for Mount Everest.
  5. I want to learn how to sail.
  6. I want to do Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
  7. I want to do the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky
dan rosenberg

In front of a butter sculpture at the Iowa state fair

Allie: What are some things you had on your bucket list that you’ve already checked off?

Dan: Doing News Years Eve in Times Square, going on a cross country trip, going to a Superbowl victory parade, and going to the Iowa State Fair. That was pretty cool because that’s where the presidential candidates were so I was excited to check that out. I’ve also been to The White House Hanukkah Party.

Allie: What motivates you to have such a detailed bucket list?

Dan: I think that life is a precious thing and has a lot to offer, and I want to make the most out of it. 

Allie: What are your coping tips for quarantine? 

Dan: I FaceTime a lot to stay connected with people. Also, I grew up doing mixed martial arts and my martial arts studio has been offering some amazing virtual videos. I’ve been taking advantage of that. Sometimes, I’ll do trivia online with friends to mix things up. I used to go to trivia once a month with my friends.

Allie: When Jews of DC Gather…

Dan: They create a strong community!

dan r

On the national mall for the 4th of July celebration

 


 

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