When over 200 young women from various girls yeshivos around the tri-state area converge in Manhattan, one might think they were on a shopping spree. Nothing could be farther from the truth. These young ladies have been participating in the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education CIJE-Tech High School engineering program at their schools, and this was their opportunity to see real-world engineering in action. Google’s New York headquarters, located in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, opened their doors to CIJE so that these young women would have the opportunity to learn about Google and explore becoming a part of this exciting and varied field of computer science and engineering. Their faces as they are escorted through Google’s inner sanctum suggested the experience was akin to Alice entering wonderland.
They had the chance to see firsthand how the field of computer science operates and listen to some of the world’s experts in internet communication and information technology. Mrs. Cortez, a Google senior engineer, shared some of the early history of the company and spoke of her own experience becoming an engineer. She also spoke of the challenges and rewards that working in this field has to offer. The girls also heard from a panel of orthodox Jewish women who shared their educational backgrounds, experiences and insights as Google employees as well. Through a panel discussion the girls had the opportunity to voice their questions about what it is like, for an observant woman to work at Google. and they learned about the job opportunities that are available in the computer science field in general.
“This experience was a real eye opener for the entire group, and they lined up to ask questions of the numerous Google panel and other engineers who graciously volunteered their time to share their insights and experiences in their chosen fields of science and engineering. Over 200 yeshiva girls visited Google, and to them, this experience will be permanently etched in their minds,” commented Judy Lebovits, vice president and director of CIJE.
Rachel Geisler, a Bruriah graduate and Google senior software engineer, organized and hosted the event together with Mrs. Lebovits. Ms. Geisler discussed her education, explaining how fortunate she was to be able to combine her various roles “as a wife and mother and Googler.” Jason Cury, CIJE president commented, “I take great pride in seeing more than 200 young women learning about future opportunities, achievements and careers.”
Ma’ayanot student Nirtza Stechler commented, “It was empowering to meet many successful Jewish women pursuing careers in the computer science industry, an industry that has been mostly dominated by men. Each presentation, panelist and speaker echoed a common theme: Every young Jewish woman should feel confident pursuing a career in her own field of interest. Living an observant Jewish lifestyle should not be a deterrence, but rather a source of strength to further explore her interests.”
Participating schools were Bruriah, Bais Yaakov Machon Ora, Bais Yaakov of Waterbury, Ma’ayanot, Shulamith Brooklyn, Shulamith LI, SKA, TAG, TMM and Yeshiva University High School for Girls.
For over a decade, the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education has been implementing programs and promoting excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in close to 200 schools with more than 30,000 students nationwide.
