Sara Greenberg
(Class of 2021)
I am a Junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying molecular and cell biology. Of course, this year’s climate posed challenges on college campuses nationwide, and Penn was certainly not an exception. As the co-president of the Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee, I had the opportunity to act in a larger-scale way: I met with leaders such as (former) University President Liz Magill and Governor Josh Shapiro to discuss and act on the antisemitism on campus. As a K-12 Leffell School alumna, Jewish life is incredibly important to me, so it was natural for me to advocate to protect my fellow Jewish students on campus. On a more interpersonal level, my peers have turned to me for help in responding to anti-Israel messages, and I have been able to provide them with historical and political context. The Leffell School has prepared me for moments just like these, for which I am very thankful.
Outside of Jewish life, I study Parkinson’s Disease at Penn Med. As part of my research project, I presented my findings to the whole Neurodegenerative Disease research department, which included renowned scientists. Because I was taught how to present in my high school Engineering & Entrepreneurship (E2) classes, I ultimately felt very comfortable and prepared for my presentation. I am so grateful
for all the tools The Leffell School has given me, both secular and religious, and because of these tools, I have been an effective advocate at Penn and in the broader Jewish world.
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