Benji Berlow

When I first arrived at Lafayette, I knew that I had an interest in both psychology and Jewish studies, but I did not know how I wanted my interest in Jewish studies to eventually materialize. Throughout my first years, I considered a range of possibilities from majoring in religious studies to minoring in Jewish studies and obtaining a B.S. degree in psychology. However, because I planned to continue my involvement and education in the Jewish studies field, I believed that pursuing a Jewish studies major would not only be vital to my education and experience here at Lafayette, but also essential to my future academic and professional goals.

After discussions with helpful and considerate professors, I began to lean more and more towards creating a Jewish studies major individualized for me in conjunction with my psychology major. Through the coordination of professors from more than four different departments, not only am I set to graduate with a double major individualized to my needs and goals, but I am also in the midst of coordinating a thesis that incorporates the perspectives and research from both psychology and Jewish studies disciplines.

The guidance and assistance I received from my professors for this endeavor was not atypical. I have found it ordinary for Lafayette professors to work for students in order to help their education. Many of my professors for this project went out of their way to suit my needs by either designing independent studies specifically for me, offering weekly study sessions to fit my schedule, or even just opening their doors to talk to me about what I wanted to do in life. I could not be more grateful to all of my professors here at Lafayette especially my Jewish studies professors, Professor Robert Cohn, Professor Ilan Peleg, and Professor Robert Weiner.