Jessica Plotnikov

Jessica Plotnikov is a 3rd year medical student at the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. She was born and raised in a Russian-Jewish immigrant home in Brooklyn. Jessica studied neuroscience at Bates College, with concentrations in public health and Russian. Jessica is in the process of exploring what medical specialty to pursue for residency and her dream is to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading about history with a hot cup of tea in hand, and meeting people from all walks of life. Throughout her life, Judaism has always been important to Jessica and she is passionate about being a part of growing the Jewish community at Stony Brook, while simultaneously growing her own Jewish identity.

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David Kramer

David grew up in Chicago and majored in mathematics and computer science at Grinnell College. David spent time in Jeruslem, studying in yeshiva as well as engaging with the local tech startup scene. He enjoys a formidable reputation as a challah baker and cholent chef and enjoys running, playing the viola, and adding to his unhealthy large collection of textbooks. He is excited to participate in helping foster Jewish life in Stony Brook. 

Eli Rafkin

Eli grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and underwent the Pittsburgh yeshiva education. After spending a year in Yeshiva Derech Ertz Chaim in Jerusalem and finishing his undergraduate degree in physics Eli joined the graduate physics program at Stony Brook University and is now starting his second year. When not studying he can be found hiking, skiing and indulging his YouTube mania. Eli enjoyed the Jewish community at Stony Brook thus far, calling is "small but charismatic." Eli is looking forward to being an integral part of it, and developing a quantum computer to keep track of the aliyot. 

Akiva Raskind

Akiva was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. After attending Fuchs Mizrachi School for high school followed by Yeshivat Shaalavim for his gap year in Israel, Akiva returned to America to pursue his passion for the Science and studied biology and neuroscience at Queens College. As an active member of his community in Queens Akiva is excited to participate in developing the Stony Brook Jewish community. When not Studying or engaged with his community catch Akiva skydiving, hiking, playing clarinet, or running.