Benjamin Gershon

Benjamin brings a positive attitude to all his commitments and is dedicated to fighting for both food equity and inclusion.

In 2019, he was honored as a State of Illinois Volunteer of the Week for his weekly involvement at Marillac St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, where he has helped 2800 families over 8 years. He was previously nominated as a Top Ten volunteer in the state of Illinois, is a regular at his local JCC and Niles Food Pantry and a member of the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival Steering Committee.

Through JUF Mensches in Motion, he has volunteered at the Ark, the Night Ministry, Share our Spare, and the JUF Uptown Cafe. He makes it his mission to attend as many events from JUF's Young Leadership Division as possible.

Benjamin, who has a speech impairment, is a proud advocate for inclusion at Keshet's Junior Board and Leadership Council--where he is also a top fundraiser--and through JUF's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Benjamin attends weekly services at Congregation Yehuda Moshe in Lincolnwood and has worked at five Jewish summer camps including Camp Moshava. 

AGE:
33

PRONOUNS:
he/him/his

PRIMARY GIG:
Working at Starbucks at Northwestern University

ON THE SIDE:
Volunteering weekly at Marillac St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
I've eaten pizza in more continents and countries than most people can even pronounce from New Delhi to Shanghai to Buenos Aires and of course Tel Aviv.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS:
When I was born, it was not clear I would be able to live a fully independent life. Since then, I have gone to college, have a job I love, am part of an improv group at Piven Theater and have my own apartment in Evanston.

A JEW WHO INSPIRES YOU:
Coach Klein, my high school wrestling coach. He embodies Torah and Jewish values, instilling it in all his players, models inclusivity and makes everyone the best Jew, person, and athlete they can be.

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
Buy a movie theater, offer free tickets and Reese's Pieces to all, and watch a new comedy every day.