"Inspiring Jewish Greatness" by Jonathan Tsirlin

next we have Jonathan ser Ilyn Emmett hi everyone today I will be speaking about something I never thought I would so a little bit of background about me was born in Israel but I didn't grow up religious went to brew college sophomore year I'd say it was the lowest point of my life I was actually I had some difficulties back at home my girlfriend actually I was dating somebody was in church for two years and my grades were also not that great then I found that part of my life about two weeks later I met Brad Mike Eagle from my men and all on the organization and he said hey you want some free food yes then then it went along the lines up to want to meet some Jewish professionals sold so when - I met loved it and a little bit before that I had this philosophy class where the professor just described why religion can't exist didn't think about it but thanks to Emmett I realized that people that were speaking are so much smarter than that philosophy progressed with an eye on that they definitely considered these things from their very very much appreciated Judaism learned a lot and I talked to my rabbi about getting more involved he recommended the liquid fellowship program for the winter so liquid is an Oldham organization where they take secular secular kids and they throw them in an observant community of Lakewood New Jersey from there in the winter was the best winter of my life I met her Bruce sit with him we talked to almost every day now made some amazing friends a lot of you guys are here today and I just had a blast there I came back with this newfound respect for Judaism for appreciating how closest community is and how thankful we are to the people that helped us coming back so I did happen again this time not for the food liked it a lot and I got a summer offer at a place that I was really happy with however I also the day that offer was expiring so our two weeks accepted on the 13th day rabba Kega said to me hey you heard of jane turn chips I have not but told me about it and he told me that I'd been liquid in the weekends working during these working during the week for the summer and luckily for me so here's the thing I wasn't sure I'm giving up a great opportunity for maybe something gave me told me I should I declined that that summer I worked for the Wolfson group which is much better so thank you Miss rebels from such a great internship now back back to a couple weeks ago semester started my grades are better than I've ever been I have amazing relations with my mom she's actually very closely involved with the synagogue where aegis which I think you know long it has breeches they're so super cool to learn about that and my friendships are better than ever so thank you guys for everything you're doing for us and especially thank you for you for caring so much [Music] [Applause] you