Coming to Amherst seemed like a natural decision for Leora Maccabee. She was already familiar with life at Amherst through her mother, who attended the College in the late 1970s. "My mom studied here and introduced me to her professors when I was still in [high] school," said Maccabee, the first daughter of a female alum to graduate from the College. "What I really liked about Amherst was that it was a small liberal arts college." Though she grew up in St. Paul, Minn., and went to a public school there, Amherst's small size seemed to be a cozy fit.

Community activism

In addition, the presence of other colleges and a large university nearby was also important to her. "I wanted to go to a place that had a large and active Jewish community, which I found at Amherst," explained Maccabee. During her time at Amherst she has been a very active member of Hillel, holding virtually every position in the club, from President and Five College representative to head chef and then senior advisor during her first semester of her final year.

Maccabee has been an active participant in many Jewish organizations and conferences outside of college as well. Over Interterm this year, she traveled to Israel to participate in a conference on Jewish and Zionist education. Also, for the past few years she has held a part time job as a Sunday school teacher and youth director at a synagogue in Florence, Mass.

Along with her longstanding involvement with Hillel, she also has been an active participant and leader in all kinds of social and political on-campus activism. She has organized events with on-campus groups such as the Amherst Feminist Alliance and the College Democrats and she has also been an active member in the "Vagina Monologues." Closest to her heart is the "Vagina Monologues" project, in which she has been involved since its conception. Besides participating in all the program's performances, Maccabee was also the media and publicity manager of the group.

"Putting up the 'Vagina Monologues' will be one of my fondest memories from college," said Maccabee. "I will miss being surrounded by women and forming such friendships. We raised a lot of money through our shows that went to a center for women. We bonded really well over this project."

Barbara Sieck '05, her roommate from freshman year said she watched how Macabbee revitalized Hillel and contributed to the success of the "Vagina Monologues." "One of Leora's real gifts is that once she puts her mind to something, nothing will stop her," said Sieck. "She is totally willing to stand up for herself or others at all costs. Her leadership skills are superb and she has no patience for disorganization. I am continually struck by her energy and passion and her desire to fight for things that are important to her."

Create your own major

Maccabee's academic life at Amherst has been as driven by activism and passion as her extracurricular life. Making the most of Amherst's flexible academic requirements, she designed her own major, integrating political science, economics and law, jurisprudence, and social thought. Her senior thesis deals with the problem of homelessness and housing in America. It looks at the issue historically and morally and also suggests solutions.

Maccabee decided to design her own major the summer before her junior year. That summer she won one of the political science department's Latham Scholarship to pursue an internship at the headquarters of the National Organization for Women in Washington, D.C. As a part of her job, she researched poverty and worker's rights legislation.

"This job gave me the opportunity to research anything I wanted to. It opened my eyes to the problems with welfare policies. There is a lot of injustice done to people who are unemployed or on the minimum wage rate," said Maccabee on the influence of the internship. Over the next summer, on an Abele Intern Scholarship, she worked at the Commissioner's Office at the New York City Department for Homeless Service. This experience directly contributed to her thesis. According to Maccabee, the internships have been some of her most valuable experiences Amherst has given her.

Her advisor, Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science Austin Sarat, called her a gem; she has been one of the most irrepressible, committed, and unusually energetic students he has taught. "She would always have something unusual and unpredictable to say in class," explained Sarat. He was advisor to both Maccabee and her mother, whom he said was also an extraordinary student.

He spoke enthusiastically about Maccabee's final project, saying that he wasn't surprised when she decided to design her own major. "This work is typical of her intellectual life," said Sarat. "Leora couldn't be contained in just one discipline."

He also admires her for her commitment to so many different causes. "As much as she loves ideas, she loves the world. Throughout her Amherst career she has perpetually been organizing events and speakers," he said. "I used to greet Leora with one word, library, to remind her that after she had made the world a more just place, she might want to spend a little more time with her books."

Researching and writing

Clearly, Maccabee enjoyed working independently on her own ideas and developing projects. Some of her most memorable courses were those that had long research papers for the final. A course taught by Associate Professor of Sociology Ronald Lembo entitled Social Class was particularly helpful in guiding her towards her thesis topic. For her final project at the College, Maccabee interviewed the dining services staff at Valentine Dining Hall.

"This made me realize how hard it is for people to get by on a small salary," she said. Another interview-based research paper she did was for a political science class called States of Poverty taught by Professor of Political Science Kristin Bumiller. "I interviewed three women and the director at the Women at Grace Home, which is a haven [in town] for homeless, alcoholic and battered women. I loved this course. It was amazing how this class let me run with an idea and do my own research," she said.

Writing and research have always figured into her academic and extracurricular life. While at Amherst, she spent an Interterm working for the news desk of the Daily Hampshire Gazette, writing about everything from the local celebrations of Martin King Luther Day to covering children's dance lessons at local dance schools. Looking ahead, she is considering careers in journalism, law or activism. Writing, Maccabee believes, can be an important tool for political work and change.

A true friend

One of the best things about Amherst is the friends she has made, said Maccabee. Sieck remembered how after their first year, Maccabee made Sieck's birthday extra special while she was working at a summer camp in New York. "My birthday was our first full day at camp and early that morning there was a loud knock at the cabin door. Leora had sent beautiful balloons that not only made my birthday brighter, but reminded me that even though we were apart, she was still thinking of me," said Sieck. "She also had several friends put together little gifts and notes to me and had the mailroom send me a package slip to pick up the package that she had compiled. She is so thoughtful and caring, and it is very important that those close to her are happy."

Another friend of Maccabee's, Rachel Gilbert '06 remarked about Maccabee's incredible aspirations and her ongoing dedication to everything in which she participates. "Leora epitomizes the saying 'shoot for the moon, and even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.' She has more energy than anyone I know. She is involved with so many things, and somehow she is able to put her whole heart into each and every one of them," she said.

Final reflections

If there is one thing Maccabee would like to change about Amherst, it is how all the ethnic theme houses have residents only of their particular ethnicity. "I have been living in [Charles] Drew [House], which is the Black Culture house, for the past year and a half," Maccabee said. "This year I am the only white person in the house. It has been wonderful living there, and I feel one really does learn a lot by being surrounded by another culture. I wish more people would take advantage of the theme houses and explore other cultures."

Maccabee has mixed feelings about leaving Amherst. "At Amherst there have always been people to take care of things for us. Basically, everything here revolves around us," she said. "We have to realize it's not the same outside Amherst." All the same, she feels prepared to face the world.

Maccabee shared that the saddest part about graduating for her is leaving her friends.

"I'm going to miss my friends so much. It's hard staying in touch because we will all be scattered all over the country. Other than that, I'm not really sad that I'm leaving. I didn't study abroad, and it feels like it's about time to move on," Maccabee said.

While she's not exactly sure what she will be doing, she hopes to stay in Boston where most of her family and boyfriend live. "We have been given an amazing gift and need to do something with it," she stated.

Sarat exuded confidence in her capabilities. "I send her into the world with great hope," he said.