Alumni

Leah Solomon '97

Leah Solomon, Chief Education Officer at Encounter, returned to Harvard Hillel in early November to lead a student listening session as her organization develops Generations — a new initiative that brings together senior influencers and next-gen voices for an immersive experience that reshapes how we lead across divides, across generations on the Israeli-Palestinian landscape in Jerusalem.

Reflecting on her time at Harvard Hillel, Leah shared that her experiences there fundamentally shaped her Jewish identity and career path. “When I arrived at Harvard Hillel as a freshman, it was my first time encountering Reform and Orthodox Jews, and my world got so much bigger,” she recalled. “I appreciated different ways of being Jewish and became more authentically myself. The career I went on to have is directly connected to that experience.”

Since graduating in 1997, Leah has devoted her career to pluralistic Jewish education and bridge-building across difference — work she now continues through Encounter, fostering connection among Jews of diverse backgrounds and between Jews and Palestinians.

Judge Michael E. Malamut (HLS ’85)

Judge Michael E. Malamut (HLS ’85) serves as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s Housing Court Department, Northeastern Division, at the Cornelius F. Kiernan Lowell Justice Center. A resident of Dedham, where he lives with his wife, Catherine Milch Malamut (BA ’85), and a proud member of Temple Emanuel of Newton (Conservative), he has devoted his career to strengthening both legal and nonprofit institutions.

Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Malamut worked extensively in affordable housing and nonprofit law, serving as counsel to the Boston Housing Authority and the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development. Between stints in government, he served as Deputy General Counsel at the New England Legal Foundation. Nationally recognized for his expertise in nonprofit governance, he has chaired the Nonprofit Organizations Committee of the American Bar Association and authored leading works on parliamentary procedure.

Judge Malamut remains closely connected to the Harvard Jewish community. As part of this year’s Harvard Law School reunions, he helped organize a lively bagel brunch for Jewish law students and alumni that drew both local and visiting participants. A follow-up brunch is planned for April 12 at Harvard Hillel. Reflecting on his connection to campus, he shared, “Both my wife and I have fond memories of the ‘old’ Hillel… It is a home away from home whenever we are at Harvard.”

Sarah Hurwitz '96, JD '00

Sarah Hurwitz, who served as chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama and as a presidential speechwriter for Barack Obama, has released her second book, As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us. The book counters misinformation about Judaism and Israel while calling on Jews to reclaim their textual heritage and resist apologetic approaches to Jewish identity – particularly vital in a time of rising antisemitism.

Sarah’s journey back to Jewish learning began in her thirties while working at the White House, an experience she chronicled in her first book, Here All Along. Her rediscovery led her to intensive text study, volunteer work as a hospital chaplain, and now, to pursuing rabbinic training. In January, she’ll begin studies at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Beit Midrash for New North American Rabbis.

Sarah will be speaking at Harvard Hillel on February 9th about her book, her leadership and her Jewish journey at an event co-sponsored by the HLS JLSA that will be open to students, faculty and local alums. She says, “I’m so looking forward to coming to Hillel and engaging deeply with students, alumni, and community members on the critical issues Jews are facing today.”