Meet Ashira Boxman

Driven by the possibility of turning her passion for Judaism into a profession, Ashira Boxman refused to let an opportunity in her native Florida go to waste.

As an engagement associate at Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach, the 22-year-old splits her time interacting with students at Florida Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University. For Boxman, it’s about empowering them to reach their potential while connecting with them on a personal level.

“Every single day is different,” she said. “You never know what you’re walking into when you get to work, and that keeps me on my toes in the best way possible.” 

The daughter of a rabbi, Boxman was raised with a strong sense of Jewish identity, shaped by her summers at Camp Harlam and her years attending Donna Klein Jewish Academy. Even before she enrolled at Florida State University, she had no doubt that she would end up putting her skills to use in the Jewish world.

In May, Boxman walked across the graduation stage at the Tallahassee-based university, receiving a bachelor’s degree in family and child services and a minor in social welfare. She credits her undergraduate studies with teaching her how to be an effective communicator — a skill she uses every day at Hillel.

“It’s the best job right out of college,” Boxman said. “Everyone is open to teaching you something, whether you’re testing out a new program or you have questions about a project you’re working on. And constantly being around the students is what makes this job worthwhile. It’s a perfect fit for me.”

Boxman said the energy of the students is inspiring and serves as a constant reminder of the role she plays in strengthening their connection to the Jewish community.

“I haven’t been here very long, but I can already tell that I’m making a difference,” she said. “It shows. That’s what matters.”