I was recently driving down the highway when I noticed a truck alongside me that was labeled: “George the Piano Mover.” I loved how I didn’t need any more information than that. What does George move? Pianos. Just pianos!

Our organization is called “Jewish Graduate Student Initiative.” Who does JGSI serve? Jewish graduate students (and alumni). Just grad students!

People often ask me why JGSI is solely focused on Jewish programming for graduate students and why don’t we start Jewish programming for other parts of the community?

True, there are a lot of important needs in our community beyond this demographic. But one piece of advice I received a few years ago that has always stuck with me is:

Stay niche.

Sometimes startups don't survive because they expand beyond their capabilities and move away from what they are truly good at. I have felt the pressure to expand to other demographics, but we always have stuck to grad students because we truly believe that grad students are unique and deserve their own community within the greater Jewish community. Sticking to our niche has been proven to be the correct move with over 9000 unique Jewish grad students having come through one of our over 600 programs this year.  

And just like George the Piano Mover’s nuanced understanding of the instrument differentiates him from any generic mover, JGSI’s years of expertise working with thousands of graduate students on campus allows our organization to truly cater to their specific needs.

The first lesson we teach in our Sloan Fellowship is Judaism’s directive that each individual is responsible to determine “their unique obligation in their world.” What can I do that few others can do better, and what does my world need from me right now?

When you need to move your piano, you call George. When you’re a grad student who needs Jewish community, you call JGSI.

I have embraced being known as the grad student Rabbi. It’s my niche and I'm sticking to it! 

Here’s to finding your niche!