Taylor Pintel

"Helped" is an understatement.  It has completely changed my life around.  I have been working on my character traits and learning so much; I have become a better friend, a better sister, a better daughter.  It's really benefited me--but also those around me.

I heard about TPF through Instagram.  Lizzy Savetsky (a popular Jewish influencer) was doing a "Live" with Rabbi E (TPF's Founder Rabbi Aaron Eisemann, of Meor NYU).  He spoke about The Podcast Fellowship, so I went ahead and I checked it out.

I honestly did not expect it.  I thought it was possibly a scam.  I thought, "no way are they going to give me $15 every week."  But I wanted to do it even if I wasn't going to get paid.

My mentor is Risa Brumer (of OLAMI Arizona).  I did not expect it to be anything like this.  I have learned SO MUCH.  Typically, I'll listen to a podcast and either Risa and I will meet in person or meet over FaceTime, and we'll discuss it.  We'll just talk about life, and she'll give me advice, lessons that she's learned over the years--but we always relate it back to the podcast.  It's really so special; I did not ever think it would come this far.

One of my favorite podcasts is the one with Saul Blinkoff where he talks about his "Disney Journey".  It was one of those podcasts that I listened to and talked about with Risa, and we ALWAYS come back to it.  His story is awesome.  When he spoke about the mezuzah, his career and his life, it was something that a lot of us can relate to.  He seems like a really cool guy.  I would love to meet him.

There have been walkouts on my campus for students and staff who are part of SJP, however our President has made sure that there is always police on campus in order to prevent violence.

I grew up in a traditional family.  We celebrated the High Holidays, we went to shul.  My brother actually went to a Modern Orthodox day school, but my twin sister and I went to public school.  We did go to a Modern Orthodox Sunday school, which held Shabbatons and exposed us the Orthodox world.

I have actually become Shomer Shabbos and am working towards keeping kosher.  In my observance, I feel like I grow every day; I grow more and more and learn more and more.  I take on different things.  My long-term goal is to eventually raise children in a household with a Torah lifestyle and I look forward to (hopefully) going to seminary.

"It’s not a typical internship or job, it is a way of learning that I had never experienced before and has helped me to grow.  Every week I looked forward to meeting with my mentor, because discussing these podcasts and learning from her has kept me grounded."