2023-2024 Teen Jews of Color Fellows

Lauren Brenner (she/her) is a Junior at Piedmont High School and a member of Temple Sinai in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has sung in choir and played piano for over a decade, and is now a conducting scholar. When not busy making music, Lauren enjoys spending her time reading classical literature, taking care of plants, and visiting the beach.

Julian Brisbon (he/him) is a junior at the Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland. He is a member of the New Synagogue Project in Washington, DC, and a camper at Camp Be'chol Lashon, a multicultural Jewish camp in California. Julian is a Boy Scout who will receive his eagle rank this year, as well as a scouting honor society member. He is also a french speaker, a starting varsity soccer and basketball player for his school, and a frequent volunteer feeding the critically ill and the elderly. Julian is passionate about repairing his little corner of the world by addressing food insecurity; He is also committed to methods of healing through nutrition and movement. Julian hopes to have a successful career as a physical therapist for professional sports teams. He enjoys time with friends and family, being a foodie, and spoiling his rescue dogs, Titan and Jax.

Israel Gates (he/him) is a senior at the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, and a member of the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation. He plays soccer for both his high school varsity team and a travel team. He also is a member of his school’s Hispanic Heritage Club and Robotics Team. He is a long-time camper at Goldman Union Camp Institute in Indiana, and this past summer participated in the camp’s Avodah Program. He has participated in the L’Taken Social Justice Seminar and the Teen Social Justice Fellowship, and volunteers with a local charity that collects and distributes food to disadvantaged middle and high school students. Israel is a diehard techie, who enjoys architecture and design and playing with his dog, Una.

Peyton Greenberg (she/her) is a senior at Northpoint Highschool in Northridge, CA. She attends Leo Baeck Temple, Los Angeles. She is a member of the student council at her high school. She enjoys art, watching anime, spending time with friends, and making the crowd laugh.

Simone Joyner (she/her) is a junior at Capital City Public Charter School in Washington, DC. She belongs to Temple Sinai and is in the Madrichim program. She plays on the varsity soccer team and enjoys other extracurriculars such as debate, hiking, rock climbing, and BBYO. Simone loves listening to music, being outside, and babysitting. She spends her summer at Camp Louise and is very excited to be a CIT this summer.

Ami Nunez-Silverstein (he/him) is an 11th grader at Hamilton High School's School of Advanced Studies. He is parliamentarian of the School Site Council and is regularly involved with his school's Teen Court program. He is also the Secretary of Hamilton's Arabic Club. In his spare time Ami enjoys reading science fiction and books on philosophy.

Hayden Nguyen (she/her) is in 11th grade at Los Alamitos High School in California. She is an active member of Temple Beth David, in Westminster and her local JCC. She also volunteers for her local Chabbad and enjoys participating in the C-teen program. She plays soccer for her club and high school and in her free time loves working out, reading, and playing with my dogs

My name is Griffin Paulino (he/him), and I am a senior at Miramonte high school in Orinda, California. I did a study abroad program in Israel during the spring semester of my junior year. I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing baseball, and surfing

Sarah Rosenthal (she/her) is a senior at Germantown High School in Germantown, TN. Sarah is a member of Temple Israel in Memphis, TN, and a member of NFTY. She is an honor graduate candidate in the AP and IB program with a 4.53 GPA and ranked in the top 15 of her class. She has been the recipient of several awards and recognitions including being named "Middle School Student of the Year in 2018; The International Paper/National Civil Rights Museum 2017 "Keeper of the Dream" Awardee; SCVSC/TN Department of Human Services Student Volunteer of the Year 2016-2021; SCS 901 Student of the Year 2017. In 2016 she was selected by the LA Lakers to represent the city of Memphis for Kobe Bryant's final NBA game in the city. She and Kobe formed a friendship and he helped her start her charity - Sarah's Hope Projects - that has raised nearly $100,000 for various charities that benefit children. SHP currently has fifteen NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and three college teams that sponsor her charity, as well as major companies - Sam's Club, Kroger, Kellogg's, Lowes, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Office Depot/Office Max. Sarah's goal is to major in drama/theater, and has the lead role in her 2023-24 school play, and hopes to attend Columbia, Northwestern, UCLA, Pace, Wahington University, or the University of Chicago. "As a bi-racial Jewish student, I have had to be mindful of the fact that not everyone will be understanding of my deep Judaism. My father, a Jewish person of color himself, who grew up in the Jewish areas of Hyde Park and South Shore, has constantly reminded me of the challenges we face as Black and Jewish individuals. I believe my synagogue and my awesome rabbinic staff, Jews of Color, and The Teen Jews of Color Fellowship will help me on my path to not only be a better Jew but also a better human."

Kylie Shulman is a junior at Newport High School and attends Temple de Hirsch Sinai. She has always been very involved in her Jewish community and can't wait to meet other teens who don't fit the stereotypical definition of a Jew. Currently, Kylie is the social justice intern for her temple's youth group, is her school's BSU president, and loves all things leadership! She's so grateful to have the opportunity to join this fellowship and is excited to see what it will bring.

Shalom, my name is Daniel Rico. I'm 16 and live in Pomona. I like going to synagogue and reading.

Dina Rubin (she/her) is a junior at Orange High School in Cleveland, Ohio, while also participating in a career tech through the Northern Career Institute where she will graduate as a licensed practical nurse. She belongs to Temple Emanu El and loves attending youth group events with her friends. In her spare time, she loves listening to music, painting and doing art, and writing for her school newspaper. She has also been a member of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir for 5 years and loves singing and the performing arts. In addition, She was a part of her high school color guard and dance team for 2 years. After high school, she hopes to earn her BSN and become a first assistant surgical nurse

Noralee Zwick (they/them) is a junior at Willow Glen High School and a member of Temple Emanu-El in San Jose, California. They are the co-founder of a program that aims to foster a love of creative writing in children, a news editor on their school newspaper, a California Arts Scholar, and the communications vice president on their synagogue's youth group. In their free time, they enjoy writing, dancing, and listening to music.