“SAMi has given me the opportunity to connect with fellow Jews across American colleges and learn about many different Jewish Origins and how they impact Judaism today. SAMi also strengthened my Jewish identity.”

“I’ve learned how everyone has leadership skills from within them. It requires an environment where one can become comfortable enough and gather the courage to express it in their own way and take that characteristic with them all their life.”

“I’ve been to so many conferences throughout my college career in the past three years and this is the first one that felt Jewish to me. What I mean by that is that my Jewish was seen, celebrated, and made space for. My Mizrahi/Sephardi culture showed up in the community of people, the Shabbat traditions, the food, the leadership workshops, and even the free time.
It was wholesome!”

“SAMi LIVE created for me the perfect space to blend in my Jewish-Mizrahi Identity and learn about Entrepreneurship. I must say, no other program provided me with such an opportunity and for that, I'm Grateful.”

“Sami provided me a unique space in my college life; where I could understand the world through the lenses of Sepharadic and Mizrahi Jews. Wirh the opportunity of networking with other friends college-age kids that share my heritage.”

“SAMi LIVE not only gave a leadership experience to me as a fellow intern through a classic business world view, it taught me the practice through the point of view of the Torah. Where it is a truly unique foundation that cannot be found in any other discipline.”

“SAMi showed me that I can make my own mark on the Jewish World”

“SAMi LIVE was the first time I experienced having my Mizrahi identity centered in a Jewish space. Usually many Jewish spaces fall victim to ashkenormativity and it was refreshing to have a space where that was not the case.”

“I've been to a few different Shabbaton programs before and there's always a point in time when my anxiety gets the best of me and I think 'Why did I come here I clearly don't belong'. That never happened at the SAMi even though I was surrounded by new people from a variety of backgrounds often times in environments where I couldn't speak the language.”

“Being a Bukharian Jewish student at SDSU allowed me to connect with my fellow Sephardic classmates! I am so fortunate that I was able to promote new programs on campus that would address the challenges of students who need extra support on campus, through SAMi LIVE!“

“Attending the SAMI National Conference was an incredible experience. I left feeling inspired and motivated to continue my personal, professional, and spiritual growth. I am grateful to have been a part of this transformative experience and look forward to attending future programs.”