Jewish Connection Group Activity Report and Budget—Spring 2022

CONSTITUTION OF THE JEWISH CONNECTION GROUP MISSION: The Jewish Connection Group is an interdisciplinary discussion group at the CUNY Graduate Center that invites students and faculty from all departments to share interests, ideas, and information about different facets of Judaic life, from culture to arts to tradition. Our primary purpose is to foster an intellectual and social community of scholars that have in common curiosity to learn more about Jewish customs, history, and tradition. This shared interest encourages interactions across disciplines and between faculty and students. EVENTS: The main events that will be organized by the club will be gathering for students to meet others in different programs, and discuss issues of shared interest. These will be held primarily on Zoom or in the DSC Student Lounge upon prior reservation with the Doctoral Student Council. If in-person, food will either be provided by students themselves or donated by an external source. We hope to foster intimate social interactions that are much facilitated over a meal. The events offer an opportunity for those working in various disciplines to come together, network and consider collaborating professionally. The group will also focus on providing opportunities for volunteering and donation events if feasible (given that the university is not yet fully in-person due to the COVID-19 pandemic). MEMBERSHIP: Membership shall be open to any Graduate Center students and we welcome participation from other CUNY faculty and students, as well as those from other institutions. The Jewish Connection Group shall have at least twenty (20) members, who are matriculated students at the Graduate School & University Center of the City University of New York. Voting membership shall be restricted to matriculated students at the Graduate School & University Center of the City University of New York. Non-voting membership will be extended to any of the following classes of member or any combination of the following classes of members: • alumni of the Graduate School & University Center of the City University of New York; • matriculated graduate students at all colleges of the City University of New York; • non-matriculated graduate students at all colleges of the City University of New York; • matriculated undergraduate students at all colleges of the City University of New York; • members of the faculty of all colleges of the City University of New York; • members of the staff with faculty status at all colleges of the City University of New York; • members of the staff at all colleges of the City University of New York. Co-Chairs: Every academic year, elections will be held for 2 or more officer positions. Voting members may nominate themselves or other voting members. In addition to functioning as the official liaisons to the Doctoral Students’ Council Co- Chair for Student Affairs, Co-Chairs share the following responsibilities: • maintaining the group’s property; • scheduling and running meetings, organizing events, and applying for funding; • notifying the Co Chair of Student Affairs of group status changes; • submitting an activity report and the most recent version of the constitution, and membership information to the Co-Chair for Student Affairs at the end of each semester.