Emma’s journey with Passages began in 2023 while she was a student at George Washington University. Her trip to Israel proved to be a defining moment that shaped how she approaches leadership, advocacy and public service.
Emma visited Israel just weeks before the attacks of October 7. As conversations on campuses across the country grew increasingly polarized in the months that followed, Emma found herself grounded by something many of her peers lacked: firsthand experience. Having walked the land, met Israelis from diverse backgrounds and encountered the country’s complexity up close, she felt a responsibility to speak with clarity and integrity when misinformation spread.
Emma stepped into leadership within her university’s pro Israel organization, eventually serving as a board member and becoming a trusted voice among both Jewish and non Jewish students. She worked intentionally to foster thoughtful dialogue, standing in visible solidarity with the Jewish community while engaging classmates who were seeking to better understand Israel and the events unfolding in the region.
Her leadership was shaped not by headlines or social media narratives but by lived experience. That perspective allowed her to advocate with both conviction and humility and to bring a steady voice to conversations that were often emotional and difficult.
Today, Emma continues to carry that same commitment into her professional life as a staff assistant on the House Judiciary Committee. The leadership, courage and curiosity that defined her time as a Passages participant continue to shape the way she serves and engages in the public sphere.
Emma’s story reflects the lasting impact of the Passages experience. When students encounter Israel firsthand, they return not only informed but prepared to lead, to stand with clarity in challenging moments and to bring truth into spaces where understanding is urgently needed.
