Lindsay Biebelberg has been an integral part of Heschel for the past three years. As a Jewish and Student Life Educator, she facilitated the Hesed and Tzedek council, organized school events, and ensured that we have had the best school experience possible.
Lindsay came to Heschel on the heels of COVID-19 and was immediately tasked with creating programming to accommodate the high school’s significant growth. She, along with the rest of the JSL team and the administration, had to rethink old Hesed Day models. Lindsay said, “I am most proud of the robust Hesed Day structure that we have been able to implement in my time here.”
When asked about her favorite part of working at Heschel, Lindsay responded, “The community here. I have formed really wonderful relationships with both students and faculty. I know that I am lucky to have found this – many people do not have this in their workplace!” She continued, “What has been so awesome about this role is that I can truly say that every student in the school is my student; in one way or another, every student at Heschel contributes to student life, and it has been amazing being able to help facilitate community-building, deepening of passions, and leadership-development for and with so many students.”
When she was in high school, Lindsay thought she wanted to be a social studies teacher. She entered college ready to study just that, but after being exposed to different disciples and career paths she began to explore other options. She continued studying History, but double majored in Economics.
Lindsay said, “After I graduated, even though I had said I wanted to explore other careers, I still found myself drawn to working in educational settings. I have always felt at home in the classroom, and have always had a passion for learning. Watching others find that passion is so gratifying.” She continued, “Through this job, which was largely an informal educational role, but also included some opportunities for formal education, I discovered that teaching really is the direction I want to go in. I just can’t see myself leaving the world of education, since it is something that I find so meaningful and fulfilling.” Starting this summer, Lindsay will be studying to earn her Masters in Teaching Social Studies at Brooklyn College.
Lindsay said that teaching at Heschel has helped her find her “teacher voice” and allowed her to begin to discover who she hopes to be as an educator. Lindsay reflected, “It has also been so special to watch students continue to find ways to make the community feel small and tight-knit, even with the growing student body. I love that Heshcel is being recognized by so many as the amazing educational institution and Jewish community that it is.”
I have been on the Hesed and Tzedek council with Lindsay since my freshman year, so I was lucky to work with her on the blood drive and countless other initiatives that she helped to organize. Lindsay was always a friendly face around the school to chat and laugh with, whether we were discussing Hesed initiatives, bumping into each other on the 1 Train, or chatting in her office in the lounge. Thank you so much, Lindsay, for all you’ve contributed to the Heschel community. Please come visit next year! We will miss you so much, and we wish you luck on all your future endeavors.
