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Melissa Dash

Hi! My name is Melissa and I am a recent graduate from the University of Michigan. I graduated with a BA in sociology, a creative writing minor, and a certification in sales and marketing through the Ross School of Business Sales Track. I was the Editor-in-Chief of What The F Magazine. Below is a body of some of my recent published works, check it out!

My Latest Work

Jewish Exponent •

Pandemic Doesn’t Stop Student Internships

Students didn’t let COVID-19 get in the way of a summer learning experience, as many companies switched to virtual internship and fellowship programs that allowed participants to navigate the world of Zoom from their homes.

Elana Kopelman, a rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, was looking forward to her second summer in Israel. She had applied to the Tamid Group Fellowship in November.

“At UPenn, the Tamid club focuses on Israeli start-up education and pro bono consulting,” Kop
Jewish Exponent •

‘Fairy Godmother of Bowling’ Survives COVID-19, Resets Pins

“Someday I am going to hold my head high and proudly say I am a Jewish woman.”

That’s what 80-year-old Elaine Brumberg, now known as the “Fairy Godmother of Bowling,” said to herself as a child.

Brumberg went to school near Pittsburgh, the only Jew in a class of 350 students. She was bullied and socially ostracized.

“I had very few friends because their parents would not let them associate with a Jewish girl,” she said. “When I was 15, I had a guidance counselor who pulled me by my hair and c
Jewish Exponent •

Penn Grads Star in Netflix Hospital Docuseries ‘Lenox Hill’

While hospital hallways have always been home to heroes — which the public has recognized during the pandemic — the Netflix docuseries “Lenox Hill” gives viewers a unique look behind closed doors.

The nine-part series follows four physicians at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. The leads are two neurosurgeons, David Langer and John Boockvar; an emergency room physician and a chief obstetrics-gynecology resident.

Langer’s and Boockvar’s passion for medicine can be traced to the University o
Jewish Exponent •

Preschools Push Forward Despite Pandemic

While many Jewish preschools are implementing rolling deadlines, early childhood care directors still find themselves lacking in numbers, both in enrollment and staffing, because of the pandemic.

“Preschool is going to look different,” said Eileen Weingram, director of early learning at Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park.

The initial surge of COVID-19 cases directly corresponded with preschool registration season, she said. Beth Sholom had tours scheduled every week in March and throughou
Jewish Exponent •

Gap Years a Popular Option Now for College Students

Just shy of two weeks ago, recent Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy Barrack graduate Ben Bernstein was prepared to attend Indiana University. Despite news of changing campus life, he was still deter- mined to have his ideal college experience. But once Bernstein came to terms with the reality of his situation — a limited social life with minimal peer interaction — he changed his mind, taking a gap year instead. High School graduates across the country face the same decision: to attend college in th
Jewish Exponent •

Three Jewish Film Fests on Tap This Summer

With a fifth month of social distancing beginning, many are growing tired of browsing streaming services and flipping through channels to find fresh entertainment.

But three different Jewish film festivals may be able to scratch the itch for new media.

The Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival, Kehillah of Chester County Summer Shorts Film Festival and the Cherry Hill Volvo Cars Jewish Film Festival are taking their efforts online, with virtual screenings becoming the new normal.

Due to
Jewish Exponent •

South Philly Rom-Com Nears Completion

Local filmmaker Ann Krauss’ twin daughters are reaching adulthood this year — as is her long-in-the-works movie.

“Breast and Thighs” is a full-length romantic comedy set in South Philadelphia, and memories of her childhood are scattered throughout the script. Krauss began work on the film in 1999, the same year she brought home twins.

“The creative side had to come out of me in some way,” Krauss said. So, while they were napping, she started a screenplay.

Krauss, who lives in Havertown, has b

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