The Kroll Travel Award, in honor of Professor Ross Brann, is offered to students traveling to the Israel or the Palestinian Territories during the summer to participate in academically recognized archaeological digs and/or other academic programs. Adam Nerenberg '25 and Jeremy Zarge '25 are two of the recipients of the award this summer.
Adam Nerenberg
Cornell University '25
B.S. Applied Economics and Management
This summer I had the incredible opportunity to study academic Talmud in Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa for 2 weeks. I learned from Rav David Bigman and Rav Elisha Ancelovits, both of whom are deeply respected in the field of academic torah learning and in understanding the historical context of the bible and of the Talmud based on archeological findings. It was extremely interesting to learn the ‘layers’ method of talmud and to understand the historical context in which the Mishnah, Talmud and Stamma developed, as well as gaining a deeper appreciation of the editing process of the Talmud. Throughout the rest of the summer (8 more weeks) in Israel, I had the opportunity to study Academic Judaism three nights a week under the tutelage of Midreshet Torah V’Avodah staff members. Thank you again for this opportunity.
Jeremy Zarge
Cornell University '25
A&S Undeclared
This summer was one of the most meaningful summers of my life. I attended a program that helped set me up with a computer science internship in Tel Aviv and provided religious classes in Jerusalem at night. I never imagined that I would be able to pursue both my academic and religious interests at such a high level in one summer. Additionally, I was able to grow side-by-side with so many other Jewish college students from across the country, many of whom I will stay in touch with for years to come. This summer truly was everything I could have asked for, and it would not have been possible without the Kroll Travel Award!
