Abby Agranoff

Social Media Coordinator Intern

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

My primary responsibility is to reach out to publications in Southern California to advertise classes and events happening at Yiddishland. Many of these journals specifically target Jewish audiences in and outside of the San Diego area. I also design stories to post on Instagram and amplify the reach of upcoming events; this is a fun way to engage with my visual art background. I have also been training another intern in order to delegate some of my tasks such as posting weekly classified ads. Altogether, it has been a great experience and enhances my ability to communicate and collaborate.

Why did you apply for this internship?

As a sociology major, I have access to the Pollak Grant, which designates that recipients must intern at a nonprofit organization. After participating in last semester’s Europe from the Margins 360°, I was specifically searching for a position that would allow me to become more in touch with my heritage. The inherent Jewishness of both the grant’s history and my place of internship experience is a perfect fit!

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?

Cathartic, challenging, and motivating. Art, language, and history.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

Following the antisemitic mass shooting in Highland Park on the Fourth of July, I was feeling unmoored. It was difficult to discern a sense of purpose in the mundane tasks of day-to-day life when my very existence felt, once again, threatened. Because of Yiddishland’s specific goal of cultural preservation, completing my weekly assignments gave me a sense of purpose. By doing my small part in working to cement Jewish history in public memory, when it is generally excluded from the hegemonic narrative, I feel as though the work I am doing is truly meaningful. In the world’s present state, it can be difficult to remain inspired when work can often feel so devoid of meaning. I am grateful to have the opportunity to dedicate my energy to a project that is so integral to my personal ethic.

Interview by Bryn Mawr.