Mentee Spotlight: Madeline Dolgin

Take a minute to get to know WLI mentee, Madeline Dolgin by reading the Q&A below!

Please tell us about your project?

In March 2022, I am excited to launch an 8-week IYUN circle for young professionals ages 22-35. Each week I will co-teach on a new topic along with Rabbi Kanter. We will explore life’s big questions such as: When living in a world that is increasingly more secular, what is the role of religion and spirituality? How do we decide what our calling should be? In the age of sharing life events on social media, what is the impact of creating an online persona in the public realm?

Our 8 weeks together will culminate in a Shabbat retreat! This cohort will provide an exciting place for young jews to develop relationships and grow to love and want to continue the study of Torah. If you are interested in being on the email list to get updates when registration opens, please email madeline.dolgin@gmail.com.

Please share a few of your favorite things you have learned in the class sessions?

One of the most impactful lessons for me was about accepting failure. My current company has a coaching culture that is rather blunt in how they choose to provide feedback. When I first started, I focused a lot on the constructive criticism I was given and thought I must be terrible. During WLI, I was able to reframe and see those criticisms as exciting growth opportunities. Each comment I received fueled me to be better next time. I strongly believe that this mindset helped me get a promotion the next year!

How have you stayed involved with WLI since your year ended?

I have had the pleasure of attending a book club and celebrating havdalah at Rabbi Kanter and Rabbi Wasserman’s house with fellow WLI participants. I also had the opportunity to volunteer with my mentor and teach a sewing class for her camp kids!

What is your occupation and have you been able to apply what you learned in WLI to your job?

I currently work for ASU Online as a Senior Enrollment Advisor while completing my Master’s degree in Sustainability. I assist students throughout the application process and train new advisors. I also coach and lead my peers on several projects. WLI helped me self-reflect about my own leadership style. For me, one of the most valuable parts of WLI was the intergenerational nature of the participants. This allowed for a great diversity of perspectives and WLI gave me the confidence to speak up even if my opinion does not follow the status quo. I often lead and mentor colleagues who are older than me which felt really intimidating at first. The lessons from WLI helped me develop the confidence to own my role and not to feel shy about my age.

Please tell us more about yourself, your family and/or your involvement in the Jewish community.

I grew up locally in Scottsdale, Arizona. I attended Pardes Jewish day school for my early elementary school years and became a bat mitzvah at Temple Chai. I moved to New York City to attend college before moving back to accept a position as the Student Life Coordinator at ASU Hillel. I had the joy of having the most incredible first boss Debbie Yunker Kail, a WLI mentor herself, who taught me so much about how to be a good supervisee. I enjoyed the opportunity to help provide a community for Jewish college students and create new programs. I helped start a few new programs such as a Career Mentorship Program, 10-week Jewish Torah Study program, and a Mindfulness Cohort, and Interfaith Shabbat while serving at Hillel.

After Hillel, I began my Master’s Degree in Sustainability I am excited to graduate in December 2021 and currently am looking to pursue a career as a sustainability analyst or social impact professional. If you know of any jobs looking for a sustainability graduate, let me know!

This past year, I participated in Valley Beit Midrash’s first Social Justice Fellowship where I co-created a booklet called the Activists Guide for a More Sustainable and Equitable Food System, which provided tips that individual consumers can implement in their lives to be more sustainable when it comes to food. I also helped coordinate a food drive for refugees.

Lastly, I am very excited to share that I will be celebrating a very big Simcha in my life this upcoming March when I will be marrying my fiancé Mat! Mat and I look forward to this exciting new chapter and building a Jewish home together. We appreciate all of those in the Jewish community who have supported us in planning this celebration.

In your spare time what are some hobbies or activities you like to do? (and/or share some fun facts about yourself)

I am passionate about sustainability, dance, and biking!

I currently sit on the board of a local non-profit organization Arizona Sustainable Apparel Association. I host events that promote local sustainable fashion businesses such as pop-up shops and clothing swaps and educate consumers about the environmental issues in the fashion industry through our social media. I also host a podcast called Growing Together where I interview local fashion brands about their brand stories. You can find the podcast on Spotify here.

I have always loved dancing. I grew up doing musicals and local theaters and taking dance lessons around the valley. I am currently a member of an all-level women’s dance group called Swexy Squad. We perform at local dance events and fundraisers throughout the year.

Finally, I purchased an electric bike during the pandemic and have enjoyed riding around Tempe and Scottsdale. My bike goes up to 20 miles an hour so it is certainly an adventure!