Borodin Sisters Bring Their Jewish Roots to Life at List College

Naomi and Alexandra Borodin, twin sisters from Seattle, are sophomores in the Double Degree program with JTS and Barnard, where they’re already well known for their deep connection to Jewish life and to each other. But what makes their story especially notable is that they’re following in the footsteps of their mother, Rabbi Jill Borodin, who was ordained at JTS in 2001. While Alexandra and Naomi didn’t choose JTS just because of their family history, they each share a passion for vibrant, egalitarian Jewish living—the same values that brought their mom to JTS more than two decades ago.

Their mother, Rabbi Jill Borodin, was among the first Canadian women ordained as a Conservative rabbi, graduating from the JTS Rabbinical School in 2001 after earning her undergraduate degree at McGill. Though Naomi and Alexandra didn’t feel pressure to follow her path, they recognize the shared values that shaped each of their choices. “We didn’t pick JTS because she went there,” Naomi explained. “But we picked it for the same reasons she did—because we care deeply about Jewish community, egalitarianism, and learning.” They’re learning more about her time at JTS now that they’re students themselves: swapping stories, comparing classes, and noticing how much of what mattered to her still resonates today.

Long before they arrived at JTS, Alexandra and Naomi were deeply immersed in Jewish life. Their mother has been serving as the rabbi of their synagogue since before they were born, and the synagogue became a second home, both literally and spiritually. “We know where the candy is, we know who the new people are, we know where all the good hiding spots are,” Alexandra said with a laugh. From early mornings walking to shul with their mom to teaching in the religious school and helping run youth programming, Jewish community wasn’t something they visited on weekends—it was the backdrop of their daily lives.

Being twins at the same college might sound intense, but for Naomi and Alexandra, it feels natural. “This is nothing new for us,” Alexandra said. “We’ve always gone to school together.” Their shared interests often lead them toward the same classes, which makes scheduling tricky; they’ve had to deliberately plan not to be in every course together. Still, they exchange ideas constantly, review each other’s essays, and compare notes from different sections. “It’s easier to navigate something if you only need to navigate half of it,” Naomi added. Though they occasionally crave space, the experience of navigating dorm life, campus rhythms, and Great Books side by side has only deepened their relationship.

Though both are still officially undecided, both have long been drawn to Jewish learning and to the Jewish Gender and Women’s Studies program in particular. “We were really into that department when we applied,” Alexandra said, noting that it reflects many of the values they grew up with. Their mom, too, is enthusiastic about their course choices. When Naomi mentioned she was taking Medieval Jewish History, her mother lit up. “That’s so cool,” she told her, “I wish I had learned more about that.” Even with a parent who went to rabbinical school, they’re discovering areas of Jewish tradition their mom didn’t get to explore. “She always thinks it’s cool what we’re learning,” Naomi added. “And I think she likes learning from us now, too.”

To the twins, JTS feels like a continuation of the Jewish life they’ve always known, just in a new setting. “Our biggest priority when looking at colleges was strong Jewish life,” Alexandra said. “We were so upset to leave our shul—we couldn’t imagine not having that.” At JTS, they’ve found a vibrant, immersive environment that extends beyond the classroom: singing in dorm lounges, celebrating holidays, cooking with friends, joining fellowships at Hillel, and dancing with Orchesis. Naomi described it as feeling “social more than it’s school”—something that reminds them both of the best parts of Jewish summer camp (Ramah Ojai, specifically). At a place where it’s normal to sleep in the sukkah or have deep conversations between classes, they’ve found a community that feels like an extension of home.

Looking ahead, neither Naomi nor Alexandra is certain where their studies will take them, but both know that Jewish life will always be part of the picture. They might end up in Jewish professional roles, or simply stay active in their communities in other ways. When asked what advice they’d give to students considering JTS—especially those with a family connection—Naomi was clear: “Do it, but know that Jewish learning will be a big part of your life. You should want that.” For them, JTS isn’t about following in someone’s footsteps, it’s about choosing a place that lets them keep growing in their Jewish lives, ones they’ve been building since childhood.