Since 1997, Michael Rabkin has worked with Hillel chapters across the country and served as a consultant for Hillel’s headquarters in Washington D.C. He joined Emory Hillel in 2005 after completing a Master’s in Public Administration at New York University. As a campus director, Rabkin was excited to build a strong program and develop a vibrant organization.
After an alternative spring break trip to Minsk in 2005, Rabkin and the group of students he traveled with were inspired to begin a social justice project in Atlanta. After exploring various options, they chose to work with the NAMES Project, the organization that curates the AIDS Memorial Quilt and is based in Atlanta. Quilt on the Quad thus became an annual display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on Emory’s campus.
On Thursday, December 1st and World AIDS Day, a record 152 blocks (each block is 12 ft. x 12 ft.) of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed on McDonough Field from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This is the largest display of the quilt that Emory has ever produced.
Because of his efforts in creating this event, Rabkin has been chosen to be the keynote speaker on Thursday. He shared his thoughts with Her Campus Emory via email.
“I was very honored to be asked to speak at the Quilt on the Quad 2011, because it will be my last before I move to California to become Executive Director of Hillel of San Diego,” Rabkin said. “I was inspired by the original group of students who led the first display. It made me realize how the message of the Quilt is one of social justice: ‘to save one life is to save the entire world.’ That central Jewish ethic is also core to what Hillel’s social justice agenda has become at Emory. In many respects, we have become the ‘public health Hillel’ with various social justice projects oriented around healthcare and public health. Hillel’s Tritt & Opppenheimer JHealth Leadership Institute, for example, is a direct outgrowth of this effort that specifically engages pre-med/health students in encounters with Jewish leaders in healthcare and discussions that inspire a values-based career in healthcare. There is a multitude of opportunities for Hillel to build on this notion, and I look forward to seeing how it develops.”
All are invited to view the quilt and hear Rabkin’s speech, which is at 10:30 AM. Those who wish to volunteer at the event are encouraged to learnlink the conference “iwillvolunteer” to express interest.
Please wear red on Thursday to show your support for AIDS!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emory chapter.