In June 2024, rising junior and Journalism and Media Studies major Gabriela Rubin traveled to Israel, and she said her experiences meeting with and speaking to Israeli leaders, soldiers, and citizens confirmed her passions for journalism, media, and politics, and left her even more committed to pursuing her dream of working in media post-graduation.
Rubin, a Rutgers campus leader for the Zero Tolerance for Antisemitism campaign, organized by the Jewish organization Olami, was invited by Olami to travel to Israel to join other American college campus leaders for their Campus Mission to Israel trip to represent their universities at the Knesset in Israel. “I couldn't say yes any faster,” Rubin said, noting she was honored to represent Rutgers University.
When she finally arrived in Jerusalem, Rubin joined the group of other American students from universities including Columbia, Harvard, MIT, UCLA, and others, in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conference room. There, the students and the prime minister discussed a series of topics of importance to Netanyahu and campus leaders.
Rubin and the other campus leaders also met with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog. “It was incredible to meet him,” Rubin said. “We got to introduce ourselves and what school we go to. I was standing next to someone who went to Harvard on my left and someone who went to Columbia on my right. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, he's not going to think anything of the fact that I go to Rutgers considering I'm standing next to Columbia on my right and Harvard on my left.’ I said ‘Hi, I'm Gabriela Rubin. I'm an incoming junior at Rutgers University in New Jersey.’ He responded by saying “incredible school, great school,” I thought to myself ‘wow.’”
Not only did Rubin speak with Netanyahu and Herzog, she also delivered speeches to other members of the Knesset, including Matan Kahana, a member of the Israeli Resilience Party.
“After my speech, I literally broke down,” Rubin said. “The whole room started crying, I was petrified. I could not believe I cried in front of 100 people and members of the Knesset who have more power than I would ever have in my pinky finger. It was honest and raw, and there's no other way I could have said it. I couldn't have done that without crying. I'm trying to make a difference, and listening to people who have been through [war], and who are living through it, and who are listening to me–that got me so good.”
Rubin said the attacks on Israel on October 7 gave her new insight into where she wants to work and live in the future. “It is definitely guaranteed that I want to stay within journalism, media, and politics. I want to be involved in the world and learn about everything that's happening, because it's something I'm passionate about, something I care about, and it's something I actually enjoy learning.”
As for her future plans, she hopes to apply for an Onward Israel program next year, which places young adults in internships at Israeli companies.
Rubin notes that being able to work as an intern in Israel would be a great trial-run before moving there permanently. “I did a volunteer program in January, and ever since that, there's been no doubt in my mind that I am planning on making Aliyah (gaining citizenship in Israel) after school. I might go to New York City first for a bit, but I'm definitely planning on ending up in Israel,” Rubin said.
Looking ahead to the future, Rubin envisions herself working behind the scenes at a news station, working at the Knesset, or in a role that mixes both politics and news. Rubin said, “I'm looking forward to it so much, and I hope to get something that has to do with journalism, media, and or politics. I want to go back to the Knesset, volunteering with whomever I can, because I would have no problem going into work every day. I don't think I would complain a day in my life. I think I would genuinely enjoy that, and that's what work should be.”
Learn more about the Journalism and Media Studies Department and major on the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website.
