Q&A with Margeaux Wolberg '22GS/JTS

Margeaux Wolberg ‘22GS/JTS discusses her journey in the Joint Program with GS and the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) as a Religion and Jewish Gender and Women’s Studies major. She’s currently learning virtually from Hopatcong, New Jersey, and shares some of her best virtual learning tips and suggestions for how to keep entertained during distance learning.

December 16, 2020

Originally from San Francisco, California, Margeaux Wolberg ‘22GS/JTS discusses her journey in the Joint Program with GS and the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) as a Religion and Jewish Gender and Women’s Studies major.  Margeaux also serves as a Volunteer Manager at Postcrypt Coffeehouse, where she helps to set up online concerts and open mic nights. She’s also the Music Director of the Pizmon a capella group and is involved with Barnard Voice Lessons. She’s currently learning virtually from Hopatcong, New Jersey, and shares some of her best virtual learning tips and suggestions for how to keep entertained during distance learning. 

What's been the most surprising part of your journey in the program so far?
The amazing diversity of people I've met! Being in GS means I get to meet all kinds of students on different paths in my Columbia classes, and the JTS community is composed of people from a variety of Jewish backgrounds. I also have some pretty niche interests, so I've met lots of new, cool friends singing Renaissance music, Jewish a capella, and in religious studies classes!

What's been your favorite class and/or project you've worked on recently?
I've had a lot of favorite classes at both schools in the last few semesters. Monster Heaven and Jewish Feminist Ethics at JTS, Dr. Jill Shapiro's Human Origins and Evolution, Music Hum with John McWhorter, and Religion and Hip Hop with Josef Sorett.

I've written a final essay on Jonestown, presented on Mormon theology, and created a blog post on Christian women in their role as wives all this semester!

What's been your virtual learning must-have?
My virtual learning must-have is an afternoon homemade boba! I boil black tapioca pearls and brown sugar and make "milk tea" with milk and Trader Joe's Spiced Chai Black Tea Concentrate (recommended to me by another GS friend!).

Best tips for studying in a virtual environment as finals are on the horizon?
Don't beat yourself up for not being "productive enough"! Taking breaks and taking care of yourself is key for your success and also your health!

Tell us a fun fact about you!
I taught myself to read Braille!

What's the last book you read?
Derrida's The Gift of Death for class and Trevor Noah's Born A Crime for fun!

What TV show are you currently streaming?
I just watched Disclosure for a Hillel program and I highly recommend it! I always love Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, etc. The Two Popes was awesome too!

For more information on the Joint Program, visit the JTS website.