Skirball internships are carefully designed to keep current college students and recent graduates engaged with arts, culture, and Jewish heritage. Last summer, Sarah Reiff (Class of 2024, Barnard College) had the opportunity to spend her summer with us in the Communications and Marketing department, an experience which positively affected her outlook on future career opportunities.
The following article, written by Sarah, appeared in the 2023 edition of Oasis magazine:
This past summer, I had the privilege of working as the Communications and Marketing intern at the Skirball Cultural Center. As I reflect on my time spent at the Skirball, I’m filled with gratitude. The experience not only deepened my connection with my own Jewish identity, but also helped shape the values I strive to implement in my daily life. Growing up in Los Angeles, the Skirball was a significant part of my childhood; weekends were spent with my grandparents at Noah’s Ark and Lunar New Year was celebrated with my middle and high school in the Ahmanson Ballroom. Being Jewish, the importance of a place like the Skirball, one dedicated to preserving Jewish history and celebrating Jewish accomplishments, was continuously stressed to me. Thus, when I arrived in June to begin working, I thought I already knew what the Skirball was all about. However, as I familiarized myself with the Six Essential Jewish Values in which the Skirball’s mission is rooted, and with the current and upcoming exhibitions, it became clear that my conception of the Skirball’s identity had been confined. While I was right that the Skirball does an incredible job of preserving Jewish history and celebrating contemporary Jewish figures,
I quickly learned that the Skirball also does so much more. In reality, the Jewish heritage that the Skirball is steeped in is not only displayed in its exhibitions about Jewish history, but actively inspires and guides all work that the Skirball does, paving the way for exhibitions like This Light of Ours, which illustrates the Jewish value of pursuing justice. Throughout my summer I also learned that working in a place steered by clear values attracts people with similar values. I was so fortunate to have an incredible community to work with, all of whom encouraged me to strive toward projects that I was passionate about.
Through the Skirball and the people working there, I witnessed a concrete example of how Judaism can guide me in my everyday life, beyond the time I spend at synagogue. I gained incredibly valuable experience copy-editing, creating social media content, and conducting research and outreach, yet what was truly invaluable was experiencing it at an institution that cares deeply about its meaningful and guided work. This type of guidance is what I know I will certainly take with me wherever I go and to whatever career I pursue.