Mitzvah Maker – Dreidel Man

/0 Comments/in /by Gather the Jews Staff

Dreidel Man is a perennial favorite at the National Menorah Lighting organized by the American Friends of Lubavitch.  Two years ago Dreidel Man agreed to sit for an interview with GTJ, and has graciously agreed to do so again.  In an exclusive interview with GTJ, we get to the root of the question “Who is Dreidel Man?”

Aaron: What brings you to DC?
Dreidel Man: The Lighting Ceremony of the National Menorah.

Aaron: Tell us more about the Menorah Lighting.
Dreidel Man: It’s the greatest Chanukah event, bringing together a huge crowd with many (tens of) millions viewing on TV and through the media.

Aaron: Who will be there?
Dreidel Man: Dignitaries, communal leaders, the United State Navy Band, winners of the National Menorah Essay Contest, and.. ME!

Aaron: How can we attend?
Dreidel Man: Go to nationalmenorah.org and get tickets.  They’re free, but you’ll need them to enter.

Aaron: How many times have you spun in a row?
Dreidel Man: Seventeen times, but I got dizzy so I had to take a rest.

Aaron: What is your favorite letter to land on?
Dreidel Man: Gimmel!

Aaron: Is there a cousin in Israel with different letters?
Dreidel Man: Yes, Pay. We exchange emails every once in a while.

Aaron: Got any high profile rollers that you like to spin with?
Dreidel Man: Yes.  Aaron Wolff from Gather the Jews (Aaron blushing) and all the VIPs at the event.

Aaron: If you could spin with any Jew, who would it be?
Dreidel Man: Whoever is reading this interview right now!

Aaron: What does being Jewish mean to you?
Dreidel Man: Being a carrier of a rich heritage and tradition, and a conveyor of the powerful and eternal message of Chanukah.

Aaron: What is great about spinning in DC?
Dreidel Man: I get to feel like the lobbyists and politicians, because they’re also always spinning.

 

Jewish Guy of the Week – Max

/2 Comments/in , /by Gather the Jews Staff

Want to recommend an outstanding leader to be featured on GTJ? Nominate him/her at info@gatherdc.org.

Aaron: What brought you to DC?
Max: My amazing mother, she gets the credit.  I was born at Columbia Hospital for Women at 2425 L Street, and haven’t left since.  I grew up near Rock Creek Park and now I live in Logan Circle.  I’m a 3rd generation Washingtonian as well, so lots of love for The District.

Aaron: How did you get involved in the Jewish community?
Max: I was very uninvolved in the Jewish community growing up, outside of Jewish summer camp that is.  I had friends telling me left and right how amazing Birthright is, but I always figured I wasn’t religious enough or wouldn’t have anything in common with people on the trip.  Finally around thanksgiving 2011, I begrudgingly signed up for a Shorashim DC Community trip.  I figured I would just cancel the trip a week before once I figured out something better to do with those ten days.  I ended up going on the trip and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  There’s not enough room here for me to gush about how much I loved that trip.  Anyways, about 6 or 7 minutes after I landed, I got a call from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (JFGW),asking if I would be interested in getting involved in the Young Leadership Community.  Well, almost a year later I’m Jewish Guy of the Week, so I guess I’m doing something right.

Aaron: What types of organizations are you involved with?
Max: As I said, when I returned from Birthright, I sat down with some folks from the Young Leadership at JFGW to get involved.  A quick side note on how amazing everyone at the JFGW is, especially Sarah, Sara, and Avital, and how grateful I am to have gotten involved with them.  So, from there the first thing I really got involved with was the planning for  the Reverse Mifgash.  From there, I’ve worked on several committees with the JFGW, and a couple of others.  However, what I have spent most of my time on is The Survivor Initiative…

Aaron: Survivor Initiative? Didn’t you guys just have a happy hour? How did that go?
Max: So, The Survivor Initiative was born when Rachel Gerrol came to me way back in the beginning of the year and told me she found out that there are over 200 Holocaust survivors in the DC metro area alone that are living under the federal poverty line and some of whom cant even afford to eat every meal.  Well needless to say, we decided we had a responsibility to do something about it.  A little while down the road, we had a fantastic committee of folks, who I cant say enough good things about, and a plan to raise awareness and some shekels.  Our inaugural event at the beginning of the summer brought together close to 200 people to hear from a survivor as well as some of our amazing partners at JSSA.  We raised $15,000 for local survivors and picked up a new slew of people to get involved with us.  From there, we helped organize training sessions for survivor volunteering and then recently put together a happy hour at Local 16 where over 180 people came out to show their support.  I heard from several people that they thought it was best happy hour of the year, so I think it went pretty darn well.  We are planning several big things in the near future and are super excited for whats to come!

Aaron: Who is the coolest Jew?
Max: According to you guys, this week, its me. Seriously though, I would say my dad and grandfathers.

Aaron: What are you most excited for during Chanukah?
Max: Mom, if your reading this, I’m most excited for my eight presents.

Aaron: Where can we find you on a Friday night?
Max: Why, at a Gather the Jews event, of course.