ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Barash *89 Partners with CJL to Bring Story To College to Princeton
Dr. Carol Barash *89 P11 P12, the Founder and CEO of Story to College, has a special place in her heart for Princeton and the CJL. Her company was formed in 2010 to teach high school students the specific skills of oral storytelling that they can use to articulate their own stories, shape them into successful college applications and essays, and use in all that they do.
CJL student leaders Anna Rubin '15 and Claire Nuchtern '15 are involved with Students for Education Reform (SFER), a national organization that organizes college students to advocate for changes to education policy that will benefit students across the country. They had reached out to support students at the Urban Assembly Harbor School in New York City with their college application essays, and the SFER mentors were having a hard time connecting with the high school students via email.
Rabbi Julie Roth and Rabbi Sara Rich connected Anna and Claire to Dr. Barash, who brought the student group to Princeton in October for a tour and workshop. The Story To College framework provided the Harbor School students with a safe space to explore their own stories, and gave SFER mentors with a tool kit and conversation to improve students' ability to advocate for themselves in college admissions.
Dr. Barash described the partnership facilitated by the CJL between Story To College and SFER as "a natural fit". "This was a wonderful way to make a new connection between my professional life, my volunteer role at the University, and my commitment to the CJL," she said. Dr. Barash added that the Jewish values with which she was raised strongly influence her work with Story To College, saying "the fundamental Jewish belief in education and the practical and spiritual benefits of life-long education were instilled in me from the time I was a young girl, and that motivates all that I do today."
Anna and Claire were equally excited about the work that the CJL did to create this partnership. "The CJL provided us a wonderful supportive space to allow us to engage in this meaningful community service project that is informed by our Jewish values, which shape how we view the world," they said. "We are so grateful to Rabbi Julie and Rabbi Sara for making this dream a reality."
