(Courtesy of JLIC) Bergenfield native Gaby Gotesman is making waves at Rutgers University, not through athletic prowess or academic accolades, but through her commitment to inclusive Jewish education. Gotesman, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, has successfully integrated Yachad participants into the university’s popular Open Beit Midrash (OBM) program.

The OBM, a fixture of Rutgers’ JLIC for the past four years, typically draws students for Sunday night Torah study and pizza. This year, however, Gotesman saw an opportunity to expand its reach.

“I’ve wanted to bring Yachad programming to campus for a while and am so excited that it finally happened,” Gotesman shared. “It was awesome to see Rutgers students get involved with Yachad and for Yachad members to get to spend time with their college-aged peers.”

As the Orthodox community co-chair, Gotesman took the initiative to organize the event, creating a sign-up system that quickly filled with enthusiastic JLIC students. The inaugural session brought together 20 Rutgers students and eight Yachad participants, focusing on the theme “Shabbos Every Single Day: Is Shabbat really just a ‘Day of Rest?”

Rav Avi and Sara Schwartz, co-directors of JLIC Rutgers, have supported Gotesman’s efforts, seeing them as a natural evolution of the OBM program. The event’s success suggests a strong interest in more inclusive Jewish experiences on campus.

Gotesman’s initiative demonstrates how student leadership can drive positive change in campus communities. By bridging the gap between college students and Yachad participants, she’s created a more diverse and enriching learning environment for all involved.

As the academic year progresses, Gotesman plans to continue these inclusive OBM sessions. Her efforts serve as a model for how local students can make a significant impact on their campus communities, fostering inclusivity and broadening the reach of Jewish education.