Meet JCUA’s summer interns!
JCUA develops powerful leaders in the Jewish community by providing training, mentorship, and resources for personal growth. Each summer, it is a pleasure and privilege to welcome JCUA youth organizers as interns who support our grassroots organizing campaigns, community-building, and more.
This summer is no different: we’re excited to introduce you to five teens who are helping to build JCUA’s power in the coming months: Leela Wittenberg Trubowitz, Megan O’Connor, Aviva Rappaport, Ronen Ousley, and Dalya Lessem Elnecave.
Leela Wittenberg Trubowitz (they/them)
How did you get involved with JCUA?
I was introduced to JCUA by the youth director at my synagogue, who thought I’d be a good match for the Or Tzedek program, which I completed my freshman year. Since then, JCUA has become a community I feel I can always rely on to teach and support me. I’m ever so grateful for the chance to be involved with it.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends (who are the most amazing people in the world) might describe me as inquisitive. I like to uncover stories: the stories of places, of people, of things, I’m not picky. This may show up as an annoying and persistent need to badger my friends with questions, so beware.
What are you excited to work on this summer?
I’ve been very active in the JCUA youth organizing community for a number of years now, and I’ve seen the power we have. This summer, I’m looking forward to working on further integrating the youth organizing community with the larger JCUA community.
What’s your favorite thing about Chicago?
Chicago is so, so alive. Each neighborhood is unique, each restaurant has something new to try, and each person I pass on the street has a different story. The city rejuvenates me.
Send Leela a welcome message at leela@jcua.org!
Megan O’Connor (they/them)
How did you get involved with JCUA?
I got involved with JCUA because of a dear friend and another intern this summer, Leela. They came up to me and recruited me for Or Tzedek, which I was very excited to have done last year. The reason I stayed was because I had been wanting an outlet for the injustices I see all over Chicago, a way to stop quietly seething but to actually take action on issues I hadn’t known how to take action on before. JCUA is an amazing resource and organization, and I am very happy to be able to work for it this summer and going forward!
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would probably describe me as a really passionate jack of all trades. You could totally also call it being all over the place – I’ve got a lot of interest in so many endeavors, and I try to give it my all in all of them. I’m very driven, just in a lot of directions, haha.
What are you excited to work on this summer?
This summer, I’m really excited to help carry the torch that is the Bring Chicago Home proposal and learn from the Illinois Green New Deal coalition within the JCUA housing unit. I’m hyped to learn a lot more about the history of housing in Chicago and other countries to strengthen my knowledge to better be able to support these campaigns – and spread the word through canvassing and informative, constructive conversation.
What’s your favorite thing about Chicago?
How did you get involved with JCUA?
I got involved with JCUA around the end of 2020 and towards the beginning of the pandemic. I was stuck at home and all the news seemed to be reporting on were the inequalities of the world. I joined a Fair Tax Campaign text bank and I’ve been a JCUA member ever since.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as both busy and passionate about what I do. I talk a lot about groups I am involved in and I try to get them as involved as possible.
What are you excited to work on this summer?
I’m super excited to be a part of the JCUA community this summer and to be surrounded by teenagers who are passionate about organizing. I’m also excited to learn more about JCUA’s involvement in immigration justice.
What’s your favorite thing about Chicago?
Send Ronen a welcome message at ronen@jcua.org!