EUJS’ Theodor and I campaign was published in the Times of Israel. Writers from across Europe contributed about what Israel and Zionism at 75 mean to them. Pieces do not necessarily represent EUJS views, but they are the views of young Jews in the diaspora, whose voices deserve, and ought, to be listened to.
Avital Grinberg: Theodor & I
Avital Grinberg was born in Berlin, Germany and currently based in Brussels, Belgium as the elected president of the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS). During her studies in Berlin and Jerusalem she was on the board of the Jewish Student Union of Germany (JSUD) and the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS). Further, Avital is committed to informal Jewish and political education, combatting antisemitism and hate speech online and human rights. Driven by the belief in equality and loving kindness, she dreams of advanced Jewish communities and a vivid Jewish life in a diverse Europe.
Isidora Jurjevic: Israel at 76, me at 26
Isidora is 26 years old, and was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia. She has finished law school and is a Jewish activist and dance instructor. Isidora is the the coordinator of programs in the Jewish Community of Belgrade and the memuna and rkeshet in ken Belgrade, part of the Hashomer Hatzair World movement. She has made it her mission to make Jewish life accessible and present in the lives of young adults in her home country.
Luca Spizzichino & Luca Clemeti: Am Israel Chai, BeYachad – The people of Israel live, together
Born and raised in Rome. Luca Spizzichino is a journalist and a social media manager. He is a former board member and Treasurer of UGEI – Italian Jewish Students and Young Professionals board in 2018 and an auditor in 2019. Editor-in-Chief of HaTikwa, UGEI’s media outlet, in 2020, now he manages as Editorial Director, together with the Responsible Director Luca Clementi, the newspaper. Luca Spizzichino is also one of the auditors for this year.
This piece was co-authored by Luca Clementi: Born and raised in Rome. Luca Clementi is a journalist. Editor-in-Chief of HaTikwa, UGEI – Italian Jewish Students and Young Professionals media outlet, in 2020, now he manages as Responsible Director, together with the Editorial Director Luca Spizzichino, the newspaper. From 2022 he is also the UGEI Policy Officer.
Nathan Greppi: Yom HaAtzmaut through the eyes of an Italian Jew
Nathan Greppi, from Italy, is a board member at the Italian Union of Jewish Students and Young Professionals (UGEI), and is a reporter for the TV program “Sorgente di vita”, which is being broadcasted by Italian public television channel Rai 3. He studies Journalism, publishing and communication at the University of Parma. In 2021 and 2022, he published two novellas with publisher Historica Edizioni.
David Di Segni: Israel: The explorer’s view
David Di Segni graduated from the Aeronautical Technical Institute of Rome. He is a a journalist and student of Political Science and International Relations at the Roma Tre University. Editor for “Shalom Magazine” and “Hatikwa”. Passionate about politics and journalism.
Esti Rubins: My Israel
Esti is a 22 year old Political Science student born in Israel to a Post-Soviet family and currently living in Germany. She is a passionate Writer, Jewish Educator, Feminist and Activist. Additionally she is the Founder and Host of the Podcast Kol Achotenu.
Giada Biondini: If I am not for me, who is for me?
Giada Esther Hadar Biondini is a student of Jewish Studies at the Union of Jewish Communities of Italy, Member of the Federation of the Israel-Italy Associations and Volunteer for the Voluntary Association “Un Ponte per Anne Frank”.
David Hervitz: Times of Israel: Theodor and I
Daniel Hervitz is 30 years old and originally from Israel. He moved to Glasgow four months ago for his Ph.D. studies in chemistry and focused his research on nanomaterial compounds. He worked for three years in the pharmaceutical industry in Israel. Moreover, his hobbies are reading books, watching Netflix, exercising, and drinking coffee.
Eitan Bergman: Am Segula
Eitan Bergman, born in Liège, Belgium, is the Executive Director of the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), the umbrella organization of Jewish student unions in 36 countries across Europe. He is an elected Executive member and Secretary General of the umbrella organization of the Belgian Jewish community, the Coordination Committee of Jewish Organizations in Belgium (CCOJB) and a member of the World Jewish Congress Jewish Diplomatic Corps (WJC JDCorps). He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Relations (specializing in peace, security and conflicts) from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB).