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Recent News
Celebrity Staring Contest
May 29, 2026
A few months ago, I was in Los Angeles visiting the office of a friend of
What’s the Deal with the Cheesecake?
May 20, 2026
We Jews have a lot of symbolic foods. On Rosh Hashana, it’s apples and
Middle Seat Decision
May 15, 2026
Because I travel for JGO so much, there are certain things I try to avoid
My Car Ride with a Survivor
April 17, 2026
Two weeks ago I was approached by one of our students who is dealing with
What makes it viral?
March 31, 2026
I was recently sitting in a restaurant and noticed something on the menu
Picking up a Quarter
March 26, 2026
Because so much of my life revolves around humor, whenever I have the
Can You Move Passover?
March 19, 2026
Someone called me recently with a very serious question.“Rabbi,” she
When the Tide Turns, What’s Your Role?
March 12, 2026
I was recently on the train in the city when an older woman sat down next
The Invisible Years: Mending a Break in the Jewish Pipeline
March 4, 2026
When we talk about L’dor Vador, we often focus on how Jewish life is
Stepping Forward this Purim
March 2, 2026
I got a call this morning from a student asking my opinion about the
Antisemitism on Campus Marches On
February 26, 2026
This isn’t a formal update, but a personal reflection on what we’re
Who Else is Coming?
February 24, 2026
A few days ago, our family was invited to a Purim party, and we
Letter to American Psychological Association from Jewish American Organizations
February 19, 2026
Dear Members of the American Psychological Association Council of
An Imperfect Valentine
February 13, 2026
Sometimes when I meet people for the very first time, they just launch
Still Figuring It Out
January 22, 2026
Over the last few days I’ve been in deep conversation with one of our
Can I Sell You Some Knives?
January 8, 2026
Whenever I'm about to step foot into Costco, my wife gives me the same
The 7 Biggest Myths
December 29, 2025
While walking in Jerusalem earlier today I met a mother of a medical
Dave Chappelle's Code Word
December 22, 2025
Over the weekend more than a few people sent me a clip from the closing of
The Quiet Strength of a Flame
December 16, 2025
I recently came upon a quote from Simon Cowell, who was asked about the
Help Me Find a Job?
December 11, 2025
Between my teenage years and my early 20s, I was fired from over 15
The Magic of First Moments
November 13, 2025
This past Monday night over dinner, one of our daughters mentioned that it
Custodian of a Community
November 6, 2025
I was recently reading an interview with Robert Kraft, the owner of the
Why I’m Betting on Jewish Grad Students
November 5, 2025
By Meir S. ZimmermanInvesting in Jewish grad students isn’t just a nice
Rabbi Matt Rosenberg Named Executive Vice President & Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Grad Organization, Marking a New Chapter of Growth
October 31, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 31, 2025 LOS ANGELES (October 31, 2025)
The Father, the Son, & the Catch
October 30, 2025
A few nights ago, I was walking home and noticed a father and son playing
Pepperdine Honors Jewish Community at Sukkah of Faith and Solidarity Event
October 28, 2025
Read the full article here:Pepperdine Honors Jewish Community at Sukkah of
I’m in Paris Right Now!
October 24, 2025
A few weeks ago I was sitting in a coffee shop answering some emails just
The Heart of Who We Are
October 13, 2025
After more than two painful years, the hostages have finally come
Jewish Grad Organization Hosts Largest-Ever Partners Summit in Washington, D.C., 2025
September 15, 2025
Jewish Grad Organization Hosts Largest-Ever Partners Summit in Washington,
Four Homers, One Flood, and the Timing of It All
September 5, 2025
Everywhere I go, I meet students and alumni. On campus, at events, in
Finding Common Ground (and Daughters)
August 28, 2025
We finally moved into our new home just over a week ago, a fresh start in
Rough Landing
August 15, 2025
I recently asked one of our daughters what she was most nervous about with
Hulk Hogan Doesn’t Influence Me Anymore
August 7, 2025
The news of Hulk Hogan’s passing last week instantly brought back one of
UCLA Settlement Press Release
July 29, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJewish Grad Organization Commends Courageous Students
I went 1-5 and I’m All In
July 24, 2025
A little over two weeks ago I had my first official day back in Manhattan
Is JGO Red Lobster?
July 10, 2025
I’ve been following the new CEO of Red Lobster lately, yes, really, and
Playing Hard is a Skill
May 29, 2025
Lately, I’ve been mired in the NBA playoffs, not just watching for the
Growing Through Criticism: A Lesson from Columbia Business School
May 1, 2025
A few weeks ago, I had the honor of speaking to the Jewish community at
Learning to Feel
April 30, 2025
I told myself I wouldn’t watch the grotesque scenes from Gaza as the
A Bark Mitzvah on my Flight
April 23, 2025
A few weeks ago, I boarded the overnight flight from LA to New York, and I
The Minimalist Passover
April 11, 2025
A friend of mine recently went on a “minimalist” camping trip. That
A Rabbi Walks Into a Bar Mitzvah
December 17, 2024
Sometimes on ordinary mornings you meet extraordinary people.On a recent
As Our Children Grow
November 18, 2024
For the last 20 years, my mother and I have debated whether I was an
Is This the Year to Give Jewish?
November 12, 2024
The past year has deeply changed how American Jews relate to their
Do I Renounce Satan?
November 3, 2024
I've been getting a lot of hate mail lately. From people on the right
Are You The One Who Got Away?
October 29, 2024
A few weeks ago I got on an elevator and standing right there was an old
October 7, one year later
October 7, 2024
I was in our local synagogue in Los Angeles a year ago today, when the
Embracing Change in a Changing World
October 2, 2024
Every year as Rosh Hashanah approaches, I try to carve out time for deep
The Balancing Act Continues
September 4, 2024
Over the summer, we waited with bated breath to see to what extent, if
Front Row Seats
August 8, 2024
A few years ago I started noticing how the first two rows of every
?Nobody cares, work harder."
July 24, 2024
I'm a basketball junkie and much of my thought process happens in terms of
A Jewish Fourth
July 4, 2024
A few months ago I was walking to a meeting in Midtown, NYC and saw a
My Shtetl
June 28, 2024
The shtetl, those quaint little Jewish towns dotting the landscape in
JGO's Bar Mitzvah Speech
June 20, 2024
When we founded JGO with 15 UCLA MBA students back in 2011, we dreamed ?
Going to Shul with Taylor Swift
May 17, 2024
I recently passed a church here in Los Angeles and its sign caught my eye:
Coming from Campus
May 2, 2024
I'm reaching out to you from the heart of UCLA's campus, where the events
Our Students Need Your Voice on Campus, Now
April 25, 2024
These last few days have been an especially harrowing experience to be a
Passover: We Control Our Own Narrative
April 19, 2024
It's past 1:00 am on a random Saturday night a few weeks ago, and I got
Esther in the Workplace
March 22, 2024
In two weeks, I'll be meeting up in Chicago with an alumna from 9 years
Still a Piano Man at Heart
March 15, 2024
I recently listened to an interview with the legendary Billy Joel and
Saying Good Shabbos to Rambo
January 24, 2024
This past Friday night was a huge milestone for our organization. To kick
JGO Fall 2023 Semester in Review
December 20, 2023
With most of our students now headed home for winter break, our community
Keep on Spinning
December 10, 2023
It takes a lot to shock me, but on the first night of Hanukkah my teenage
Does Antisemitism Depend on the Context?
December 6, 2023
For the last eight weeks, our organization has engaged in hundreds of
Ignoring the Noise, Giving Thanks
November 22, 2023
A year ago, JGO ditched our expensive office lease and joined a coworking
1 Month Later: JGO Campus Update and How You Can Help
November 14, 2023
From the White House, to Wall Street, to Ivy League boardrooms, everyone
The On-Ramp: Our Vision Comes Together
November 12, 2023
This past week I attended our JGO Connect mixer in New York City. We
Jew vs. TikTok?
November 8, 2023
When I was a freshman in college, I took a debate class. The final debate
Re-evaluating Our Friendships
November 1, 2023
For the first time in most of our lifetimes, Jews in the United States are
My Classmate the Anti-Semite
October 27, 2023
For the first time in my 17 years as a rabbi in the field, every major
Dancing Through Our Tears
October 23, 2023
As many have, I've experienced a rollercoaster of emotions these past few
Meet the Grad Students Facing Antisemitism, and How You Can Help Them
October 20, 2023
I just got back from NYC this morning, where I spent time with our
Feeling Jewish
October 17, 2023
I first heard about last weekend's massacres in Israel while in synagogue.
We Won't Be Bullied
October 13, 2023
"Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you."
Security Update
October 12, 2023
There are a million thoughts floating around in my mind about what to
Update: Israel Crisis Comes to Campus
October 10, 2023
The last few days have been harrowing for the entire Jewish community, but
JGSI/JGO Message on Situation in Israel
October 9, 2023
The events that have taken place in the last 36 hours in Israel are
The Shop Around the Corner Closes
September 14, 2023
For the last 99 years, my wife's family has owned a men's clothing store
Kobe Went Right Back to Work
August 30, 2023
There's a story about Kobe Bryant's legendary work ethic that always stood
Cardi B. and Her Jewish Lawyers
August 11, 2023
It seems like every week or so another celebrity gets in trouble for
AI vs. Rabbi
July 21, 2023
I recently read about a Rabbi who shocked his congregation by announcing
JGSI 2022-23 Update: A Year of Growth and Evolution
June 22, 2023
As our family packs their suitcases for our humid summer living experience
Uber for grad students?
June 8, 2023
Sometimes being a father to teenage daughters is very similar to driving
George the Piano Mover
May 24, 2023
I was recently driving down the highway when I noticed a truck alongside
Our Own Haggadah
April 5, 2023
Like many Jews around the world, these past few nights I've been up late
We've Got Depth!
March 17, 2023
As a Rabbi, I'm often consulted by our alumni about their relationship
Too Quick to Judge
February 28, 2023
One of my family's favorite things about Shabbat is hosting guests from
Finding Your Roots, or Rejecting Them?
February 16, 2023
On the treadmill recently, I came across a great show: "Finding Your
An Update on Our Progress
February 10, 2023
I am excited to update you on the remarkable growth and progress JGSI has
My Secret Admiration for Xmas
December 8, 2022
As the father to five daughters, I get dragged into shopping often. So for
Pardoning the Turkey
November 24, 2022
The annual ritual of the President of the United States pardoning a
From Startup to Scale Up
November 17, 2022
For the past 11 years, JGSI's growth has been miraculous. From one
Kanye and Jewish Vulnerability
November 7, 2022
I've been traveling a lot the last few weeks, visiting grad campuses,
Yom Kippur 2022: Never Stop Growing
October 4, 2022
Back in high school, I loved every second of playing for the school
A Home for Jewish Grad Students
September 9, 2022
I'm from Brooklyn, New York. When people today picture Brooklyn, they
Are We "Big Enough"?
August 2, 2022
I recently met with a foundation who, after hearing about JGSI's massive
Summer of George
June 29, 2022
When, in the classic Seinfeld episode "Summer of George", George Costanza
Not Just the CEO
June 10, 2022
Back in the 80s there used to be these commercials for Hair Club for Men,
JGSI End of Semester Update
May 24, 2022
I hope you are well! As the 2021-22 academic year draws to a close, we are
The Fresh Prince of Egypt
April 14, 2022
Like most Americans my age, I can rattle off all the lyrics to the Fresh
For a Time Like This
March 17, 2022
A courageous Jewish leader reaches the halls of power in the most unlikely
Elevating My Elevator Pitch
February 18, 2022
When JGSI launched in 2011, I was the only employee, and solely
Worst. Year. Ever? JGSI End of Semester Update
December 27, 2021
I saw a headline yesterday that according to some random survey, half of
The Light Back Home
December 1, 2021
I just returned home from an incredibly special trip to Israel with Shira,
My Retirement from Comedy
November 18, 2021
My entire life I dreamed about being a comedian. When we started JGSI 10
The Proof Is in the Pudding
November 10, 2021
How can we prove that a nonprofit is doing its job? In the old days of
My Stolen Tefillin and the Power of a Good Deed
October 27, 2021
About a month ago, I scheduled an in-and-out day trip to San Francisco
"The will must be stronger than the skill": JGSI Fall Update
October 15, 2021
As a nonprofit CEO I'm always thinking about what it takes for an
Growth Through Rejection this Rosh Hashanah
September 3, 2021
Every year before the High Holidays, I spend time thinking about the year
Where to Next?
August 10, 2021
Warren Buffet once said, "Someone's sitting in the shade today because
The Cost of Traveling Jewish
July 23, 2021
In 2017, I stopped wearing a yarmulke on airplanes. No, not because of
Mazal Tov from 1 to 100!
June 21, 2021
I wanted to share the good news with you that as of today, JGSI has just
The Last Man on Zoom
May 31, 2021
As the pandemic zooms away in our collective rear-view window (pun
Passover: Questioning Ourselves
March 26, 2021
It's hard for my wife and I to believe, but our eldest daughter will be