Bruin Belles Service Association: Blog

Leadership is a concept that is talked about around the world daily, in classroom settings, job interviews and among world leaders. Executives are always trying to find new and innovative ways to teach leadership and teamwork within their corporations. Because of my involvement in Bruin Belles, I was given the opportunity to participate in an innovative leadership workshop called ‘So You Think You Can Lead.’ This three hour leadership seminar focused on dance, and how dancing can teach one things about leadership and teamwork.  At first, I was skeptical because, in my experience, dancing is more about trying not to embarrassing myself and remembering steps, but this was different. Dr. Edy Greenblatt, who travels the country putting on leadership conferences, organized a group of about 10 professional dancers called the ‘Leaping Leaders’ to help teach us how leadership and dancing are correlated. The second we walked into the room we were ushered into a conga line so...

I’ll be the first to shamefully admit that when I first signed up to bake bread for Challah for Hunger, my motives were not exactly Gandhi-esque. I thought: it’s convenient, right near campus, I get to learn how to make food and eat it in the end. Sweet. I did not know what foundation the proceeds of the challah were going, all I knew was that challah was delicious. I did indeed learn how to roll and fill the challah dough (a useful skill) and purchased a loaf for myself, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, a period of illumination occurred some time in between the dough-rolling and the challah-eating, when the bread was rising in the oven, when UCLA Alumna and Jewish World Watch Co-Founder and President Janice Kamenir-Reznik gave an enlightening presentation on where exactly the funds from Challah for Hunger were headed. The Jewish World Watch is dedicated to putting an end to mass atrocities, such as that which irreparably devastated European Jewry (amongst many ot...

About three years ago, my awkward freshmen self, walked up to a table on Bruin walk and handed in an application. It was three pieces of paper, stapled together consisting of some general information about myself and a few short answer questions about what kind of volunteer work I liked. I had heard about this mysterious club called Bruin Belles through a friend that lived on my floor, and so of course I was intrigued and wanted to apply. Little did I know that one week later I’d receive a call from a board member letting me know I’d gotten in. She however did not tell me that this would make college for me.  Since joining Belles those three years ago, I have not regretted one thing. Not spending my early morning Saturday hours playing with kids, or being knee deep in paper work at the Meals on Wheels office. Or taking a study break to grab pizza or fro yo with the other girls. Belles has truly made my time at UCLA mean something. As corny as it sounds (I apologize, I am SUP...