David Joslin, IDF member and fourth-year rabbinical student, will speak about his experiences as an oleh hadash (new immigrant), and as a hayal boded (lone combat soldier) in the Israeli army. He'll discuss the rewarding but challenging aspects of assimilating into Israeli society, his army service, and what brought him back to Boston.

Originally from the Boston area, David Joslin graduated from Merrimack College with a BA in French Linguistics. After working in finance for several years, David moved to Israel where he worked for a Tel-Aviv start-up company and obtained an MA in Israeli Security Studies from Tel Aviv University. David has worked throughout the Jewish world in various functions ranging from Hebrew school, Federation, retirement communities, JCC summer camps, Hillel, and currently as the Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Tifereth Israel of Winthrop. He is thrilled to continue his rabbinic studies this fall at Hebrew College. When he’s not poring over Rashi or Rambam, he's usually leading a Birthright Israel trip, spending time with friends and family, or adamantly cheering on the Boston sports teams.