My name is Rachel Belsky, and I am a 38 year old resident of the Upper East Side. I also work locally at PS 183, a public elementary school within the Department of Education, teaching fifth grade. I grew up in Roslyn where I belonged to a conservative synagogue that I still visit on the high holidays with my family. My parents and both my maternal and paternal grandparents have provided me with a strong sense of Jewish identity and have instilled in me the importance of helping the local and greater Jewish communities around me. 

My father’s parents were very involved in the Hillel at Hofstra University. My grandfather was an extremely active board member and is now an honorary board member, and my grandparents remain donors to the Hillel. Visiting with the students on campus brought no greater joy to them, as they saw Judaism taking many forms and growing alongside the college lifestyle. I am proud to help continue this legacy on Hunter’s campus.