Exploring Jewish Identity at Duke

Name: Rebecca SimonsPosition: Director for Jewish Life at Duke Years at Duke: 10What I do at Duke: I’m responsible for the entirety of Jewish Life at Duke, so that includes the programming, the religious aspects, the building (Freeman Center), the fundraising, outreach to prospective students, and our relationship with Hillel International (the largest Jewish student organization in the world). I provide the overall vision for that. If I had $5 million, I would: Send kids to Camp Ramah (A summer camp that fosters Jewish identity), and I would take my entire family to Israel. My first ever job: in my mom’s office in the mailroom at the Jewish Federation in Maryland. I can run the meter on the mail machine. My dream job: A Jewish summer overnight camp director. I love working with kids and college students. I love being outdoors. I love watching people’s faces light up in that ‘ah-ha’ moment. The best advice I ever received: ‘If it doesn’t make you happy, don’t do it.’ What I love about Duke: The students are amazing, and I tell people all the time that the students say thank you. They’re very appreciative of the opportunities and they really engage at a high level. When I’m not at work, I like to: Find the festivals around town like the craft festival or music festival or strawberry festival. Something most people don’t know about me: I’m a licensed pediatric physical therapist and have been one for 20 years. My first master’s is in physical therapy. An interesting/memorable day at work: In April, there was an Israeli singer, Idan Raichel, and his band playing at the Carolina Theatre. One of our staff members, our Israel fellow, reached out to his manager and asked if Idan could come to campus. Idan was interviewed by a Duke student, and we had about 75 people here in the sanctuary at the Freeman Center. The most amazing thing was actually at the very end, when the Duke student said, “Can I sing a song with you?” Idan said OK, and they sat down on the piano bench. You actually watched not only the student’s face change, but the artist’s face change, and all of a sudden they forged this bond over music. Something unique in my office: It’s a World Series program from the year that I was born (1969). I was actually born the day the Mets beat the Orioles in the World Series. My mother found the program in her uncle’s basement. This was game four. I was born on game seven. A movie I like: I did re-watch Bull Durham for the first time in years the other day. I like romantic comedies. A pet peeve is: I don’t like it when people assume the worst.Music I like: Popular Israeli music, I have a country radio station playing in my car, and I really like the Grateful Dead.