List College Alum Is Grateful for Experience

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Daniel Kestin loved the residence halls he lived in as a List College student, and he was glad to learn that current students would enjoy a new, state-of-the-art building. So he jumped at the opportunity to dedicate a mezuzah there in memory of his parents. “They were proud Jews who gave me a strong start in building my Jewish identity.”

Daniel learned about List College from a young rabbinical student who was one of his leaders on USY Israel Pilgrimage. “It was a great fit for me,” he said. He majored in Computer Science at Columbia and Modern Jewish Studies at JTS. “I got to study Judaism in a Jewish environment, live in a Jewish community, and supercharge my ability to be a member of Jewish society in America.”

After graduation, Daniel volunteered his computer skills to Jewish nonprofits. “In the 2008 financial crisis, when I found myself unemployed, I was able to support myself doing technology work for Jewish organizations until I found a new job. JTS helped me find these connections in the Jewish world that helped me succeed professionally.” He now works at Google.

Daniel was excited that JTS is investing in improving the campus and is happy to be a part. “I’m fortunate to have a little money that I’m able to contribute, and to work for an employer that matches my gifts to nonprofits. I hope more alumni will join me.”

READ MORE STORIES OF ALUMNI GIVING SEE ALL ALUMNI WHO MADE SIGNIFICANT GIFTS TO THE CROSSROADS CAMPAIGN