Hi! My name is Amanda Eastman. My Jewish Journey began with religious school. In my early religious school years I went to several different schools. My most recent education was at my synagogue Temple Emeth where I started in the 5th/6th grade. I continued at Temple Emeth through my Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation, a religious school program for high schoolers and eventually became one of the first attendees of Emeth Teen Community (ETC for short). I was in my temple youth group, Emeth Temple Youth. When I went to college at the University of Hartford I was active in my Hillel, having several leadership positions including Jewish Life Intern and Upperclass Engagement Intern. I was able to attend Hillel International’s Engagement Institute and though my Hillel connections, attended Brandeis Collegiate Institute.
Since graduating from the University of Hartford, with a degree in Elementary and Special Education, I am still actively involved in Jewish life. I worked in the Berkshires at Eisner Camp last summer, am currently teaching religious school classes for 7th graders, and am the Assistant Youth Group Advisor of Emeth Teen Community, which has now become a combination youth group and religious education program. I am also an active member of my temple’s adult choir and am taking a weekly Ulpan, or Hebrew class.
In the less Jewish part of my life I work as a Paraprofessional and Substitute teacher in an elementary school in New Jersey. Some fun facts about me: My favorite candy is plain M&Ms and York Peppermint Patties. My favorite TV show is Law & Order: SVU and my favorite movie is The Other Sister. My favorite musical is either tick, tick…BOOM! or Rent (there are so many amazing musicals it’s hard to pick just one), both by Jonathan Larson. I have yet to decide what my favorite book is, but I’ve recently read a lot of books by Mitch Albom, the author of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven (this one is probably my favorite). Finally, my favorite quote is something that a very special mentor of mine once said, “Moses broke the first set of tablets, but the second time it all worked out”.
I am so excited that you have decided to check out ModPop Torah. We are looking forward to bringing you exciting content to connect you with our sacred texts in an engaging and contemporary way!
