Josh Ull, High School Director of Student Life
While Josh Ull knew what he loved doing as a teenager, he never knew what he wanted to be when he grew up.
“It only occurred to me after I graduated from college that everything that I enjoyed doing on the side and everything I enjoyed studying in college actually had a place to be applied as a career and in meaningful work,” said Ull, High School director of student life. “Now I spend my weekends and weeknights at different synagogues in different Jewish communities, and my summers and breaks in Jewish programs."
Ull, originally from Edison, New Jersey, went to public school and attended Muhlenberg College, where he majored in Jewish studies and sociology. He focused his coursework on Jewish studies because he did not have the chance to take a formal class on Judaism while he was growing up, and he was excited for the opportunity to study Judaism academically. During his free time, he was involved in Hillel, where he helped grow the Jewish community among observant students on campus.
“I feel like I was given the tools to do that while I was in high school through my experiences in synagogue and youth group,” Ull said. “There was a very clear space to apply the resources I was given [while I was in college] and it was very important for me to put those into action for others.”
After college, Ull translated his gift and passion for building Jewish community into a career when he was hired as the USY regional youth director in New Jersey. However, he missed seeing the teenagers with whom he worked on a daily basis and working alongside colleagues, as they were spread across North America and Israel.
“I showed up for my interview and I was really nervous,” Ull recalled. “I doubted my ability to work in a Jewish day school. When I pulled up to [Schechter Westchester] and gave my name at the security booth, Greg said: ‘Hey! I hear you have an interview today. Good luck! You’re going to do great.’ He did his ‘woot, woot’ thing. And at that moment, everything changed. I knew I needed to get that job. I’m really passionate about work environments myself. I guess the interview went well and the rest is history.”
Ull’s work at The Leffell School focuses on overseeing high school trips and in-school experiential programming. These responsibilities include planning Shabbatonim, grade-wide tiyulim, and Jewish holiday observances, as well as working with student government and clubs.
“My work involves cultivating student leadership and helping their dreams become a reality,” Ull said. “I love to help wherever I’m needed and to bring the positive energy that I felt when I first pulled up to that gate. That’s what I strive to create within the school for students, but also among the faculty. We have a wonderful opportunity to make our work really fun and meaningful.”
“One of the main reasons I applied for this job is the ability to build community through Jewish travel experiences. I think they are so powerful and really serve as the foundation for so much identity building, Jewish and beyond.”
While Ull is motivated by his students, he said he is inspired by his colleagues. He offered advice to Leffell School/Schechter Westchester alumni: “Don’t take the school and the resources that exist here for granted. The Leffell School/SW is an incredible place with people who really care. You didn’t have to have loved high school while you were in it, but these people (the faculty, your teachers, your deans) are still here for you. I’m grateful to be part of this kehilah as a faculty member, but I can’t imagine what it was really like as a student. Stay connected to the school and do your part to remain a member of the community.”
Back
“I feel like I was given the tools to do that while I was in high school through my experiences in synagogue and youth group,” Ull said. “There was a very clear space to apply the resources I was given [while I was in college] and it was very important for me to put those into action for others.”
After college, Ull translated his gift and passion for building Jewish community into a career when he was hired as the USY regional youth director in New Jersey. However, he missed seeing the teenagers with whom he worked on a daily basis and working alongside colleagues, as they were spread across North America and Israel.
“I loved working in experiential education, both in creating community and particularly through Jewish travel experiences," Ull said. "Working for USY gave me real spaces — near my college campus, over winter breaks, over summer breaks — but most importantly, as a full-time job, to literally pursue what I loved.”
Ull had always shied away from working at a Jewish day school because he had attended public school himself. However, three years ago a friend told him about the opening at Schechter Westchester and Ull decided to apply for the job.
Ull had always shied away from working at a Jewish day school because he had attended public school himself. However, three years ago a friend told him about the opening at Schechter Westchester and Ull decided to apply for the job.
“I showed up for my interview and I was really nervous,” Ull recalled. “I doubted my ability to work in a Jewish day school. When I pulled up to [Schechter Westchester] and gave my name at the security booth, Greg said: ‘Hey! I hear you have an interview today. Good luck! You’re going to do great.’ He did his ‘woot, woot’ thing. And at that moment, everything changed. I knew I needed to get that job. I’m really passionate about work environments myself. I guess the interview went well and the rest is history.”
Ull’s work at The Leffell School focuses on overseeing high school trips and in-school experiential programming. These responsibilities include planning Shabbatonim, grade-wide tiyulim, and Jewish holiday observances, as well as working with student government and clubs.
“My work involves cultivating student leadership and helping their dreams become a reality,” Ull said. “I love to help wherever I’m needed and to bring the positive energy that I felt when I first pulled up to that gate. That’s what I strive to create within the school for students, but also among the faculty. We have a wonderful opportunity to make our work really fun and meaningful.”
Associate Head of School Rabbi Harry Pell admired the ways Ull goes above and beyond, putting his heart and energy into student programming every day:
“Josh brings many things to our kehilah, but especially two things: a love and wonder for Judaism and Jewish practice,” Pell said. “And a laser focus on how any one person can positively impact another person through their personal interactions. Josh cultivates student leadership by seeing each student not for who they are in the moment, as a freshman or sophomore or junior or senior, but for their potential as a human being and as a leader. Josh works with students, but as they think together, he treats them as equals, which has a huge impact on how they see themselves and their own potential.”
This spring, Ull was inducted into Drew Dudley's Wall of Amazing Humans (WOAH), which recognizes people who inspire, motivate, and support their colleagues each and every day. These are people who have been identified as leaders who improve their workplace and communities through what they do every day, not what title they hold.
“Josh was selected to be a part of the WOAH because he enhances the world around him each and every day, never seeking recognition,” High School Dean of Students Samantha Mazo (Class of 2008) said. “He inspires others to be inspired and empowers students to uncover their leadership potential and be their best, most authentic selves. Josh's programs are intentional, thoughtful, and help our students make the world a better place.”
This year would have been Ull’s eighth summer working for USY on Wheels, designing and implementing a six-week cross-country trip for high schoolers. He uses his experiences at The Leffell School and leading USY trips each summer to inform the other, learning how he can best enhance the communities with which he works.
“Josh was selected to be a part of the WOAH because he enhances the world around him each and every day, never seeking recognition,” High School Dean of Students Samantha Mazo (Class of 2008) said. “He inspires others to be inspired and empowers students to uncover their leadership potential and be their best, most authentic selves. Josh's programs are intentional, thoughtful, and help our students make the world a better place.”
This year would have been Ull’s eighth summer working for USY on Wheels, designing and implementing a six-week cross-country trip for high schoolers. He uses his experiences at The Leffell School and leading USY trips each summer to inform the other, learning how he can best enhance the communities with which he works.
“One of the main reasons I applied for this job is the ability to build community through Jewish travel experiences. I think they are so powerful and really serve as the foundation for so much identity building, Jewish and beyond.”
While Ull is motivated by his students, he said he is inspired by his colleagues. He offered advice to Leffell School/Schechter Westchester alumni: “Don’t take the school and the resources that exist here for granted. The Leffell School/SW is an incredible place with people who really care. You didn’t have to have loved high school while you were in it, but these people (the faculty, your teachers, your deans) are still here for you. I’m grateful to be part of this kehilah as a faculty member, but I can’t imagine what it was really like as a student. Stay connected to the school and do your part to remain a member of the community.”
©2024 The Leffell School. All Rights Reserved.