Rabbi Elazar & Alissa
Symon
CHAPLAINS
Judaism and fun can go together, that you can be an excellent student, and a socially involved and active modern human being, and still hold a strong Jewish identity.
ALISSA & ELAZAR SYMON
Where are you from?
Elazar: Jerusalem, Israel
Alissa: Jerusalem, Israel
Why chaplaincy?
Elazar: I love Chaplaincy’s idea of being there for the students wherever they are and with whatever they need, as opposed to bringing their own agenda.
Alissa: For me university was one of the most exciting and meaningful stages in my life. I want to be involved in this special stage in life but fro, another perspective.
How can you help students?
Elazar: I am a rabbi but I am also a simple young man that likes football and movies and holidays. I think I can help students develop their Jewish identity without being less fun!
Alissa: I love listening to people, and Uni can be a confusing time in life. As someone who graduated only last year I think I can really understand what students are facing, and try to help them figure things out.
What do you enjoy doing most with students?
Elazar: Having a good laugh over a shabbat table in a late Friday night
Alissa: Having a deep conversation over a cup of coffee.
What do you want students to take away from their Jewish experience at uni?
Elazar: That Judaism and fun can go together, that you can be an excellent student, and a socially involved and active modern human being, and still hold a strong Jewish identity.
Alissa: That Judaism is a multi-layered, complexed beautiful religion and culture.
What prepared you for this role?
Elazar: I did a year of service before yeshiva in Beit Shemesh. My role in a high school there was to organize events for youth and be a “Big Brother” to the students. I think that even though it’s not exactly the same, this experience will help me in this role.
Alissa: I used to work as an Alumni coordinator for the Bronfman fellowship in Israel, where my job was to create a community for people with different levels of religious observation, where they can dig deeper into their Jewish identity.
Personal interests?
Elazar: I love football and other sports as well, I enjoy hiking and reading.
Alissa: I like politics and debating, I read a lot of poetry, and I love taking little walks I can.
Where did you go to yeshiva / university?
Elazar: I studied 7 years in the Otniel Yeshiva in Israel. Apart from that I am doing a BA in philosophy at the Open University.
Alissa: I finished my BA at shalem college in Jerusalem. I am currently studying for a MA at the university of Cambridge.
Universities we cover
