This GPM cohort is unique in that all 7 of the volunteers hail from the East Coast of the United States. Aliza, Ari, Andrew, Rachel, Tamara, Aryeh and Leora will spend two months providing literacy and nutrition support to children in the slums of Mumbai.
Here is a glimpse into the participants of the current GPM-JDC Entwine volunteer session:
 |
| Leora Huebner |
Leora Huebner
Leora Huebner just finished her freshman year at Princeton. She is from Manhattan and went to Ramaz High School. She loves to play piano and sing, and sings in (and manages) Koleinu, Princeton's only Jewish acapella group. Though she has not yet declared her major, Leora will probably major in computer science. She also loves traveling and working with other people.
Rachel Markowitz
 |
| Rachel Markowitz |
This year Rachel is abroad studying Judaism and Zionism in Jerusalem. Her studies have further opened her heart and committed her to the Jewish idea of Tikkun Olam- being responsible for those around you and making the world a better place. In one word, Rachel can best be described as an
optimist. Her view on the world is that everything has the potential to be changed for the better and improved from its current state. Rachel spent her summer volunteering in a children’s home in Israel and in a day camp for children with special needs. Throughout the year she volunteered in a hospital visiting the sick in her free time.
Ari Marder
 |
| Ari Marder |
Ari Marder is a senior at Yeshiva University studying psychology with a minor in business. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector, where he hopes to utilize his creativity and energy to help positively impact those in need. In his extracurricular life Ari spends much of his time volunteering inside and outside the Jewish community venturing to gain a fuller understanding of the struggles of others and how to best address their needs. His other interests include intramural basketball, ukulele (he is average at best) and acting in the Yeshiva College Dramatics Society (he played the lead role in “A Few Good Men”).
 |
| Lisa Peyser |
Lisa Peyser
Lisa realized that she wanted to be a teacher the first time she stood in front of a class of children as an intern at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. The responsibility of saying something to a group of eager, curious and impressionable children was humbling and unbelievable. After graduating from Barnard College. Lisa trained to be a teacher at the Bank Street School for Children, receiving a degree in Middle School Special and General Education. She worked in the middle school at Yeshivat Noam in New Jersey teaching both English and History. In July of 2014, Lisa became a founding teacher at The Shefa School, a school for children with language based learning disabilities. Lisa strives to create a classroom environment where students are active partners in their learning. The creative process of creating curriculum and projects which can meet the needs of all types of learners is one of Lisa’s favorite parts of this career. Lisa spends her summers in Israel and recently spent the summer teaching Israeli children English reading and creative writing.
Andrew Hirsh
 |
| Andrew Hirsh |
Andrew is a student at Wesleyan University pursuing a major in History with certificates in International Relations and Social, Cultural, Critical Theory. Andrew speaks German fluently having studied German language and culture for the past two years. Andrew is involved with the Wesleyan Refugee Project where he assists refugees that seek to repatriate to the United States and he is an Eco Facilitator on campus in which he help improve environmental consciousness and sustainable development at Wesleyan. Andrew also volunteers with Eye-to-Eye, a Non-Profit created to help children learn to cope with learning disabilities.
Tamara Teplow
 |
| Tamara Teplow |
Tamara Teplow graduated from Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School in June, 2016 and will attend Stern College in the fall. This year she is studying at Midreshet Harova, a seminary in the old city of Jerusalem. Tamara has a long history of working with children. She was a head counselor at FluteStars day camp at the JCC of Tenafly for two consecutive years in which she worked with children on an individual basis as well as leading group classes, teaching music theory and flute technique. Tamara is a fashion blogger who publishes weekly blogs that highlight her artistic fashion shoots. She dresses the models, organizes the shoots, and photographs the models. Last year she organized a fashion show at her local mall in response to the earthquake in Nepal, raising over 10 thousand dollars for the cause.
Aryeh Gold
 |
| Aryeh Gold |
Aryeh Gold is completing Queens College with a major in neuroscience. He has always been passionate about providing direct care to those in need. When he was 16, he became a certified EMT and spent the next five years volunteering on an ambulance corp. Aryeh previously worked as a counselor for children with special needs in Camp HASC, and then decided to spend his weekends working in a group home for adults with special needs. Aryeh enjoys forming real connections with people from different backgrounds and abilities, and tries to make an impact whenever he can.
