Jewish Life (JCHAI) on Campus
The Jewish Culture, Heritage, and Identity Faculty and Staff Association (JCHAIFSA) is one of UC Davis’ newest Employee Resource Groups. Chai means 'Life' in Hebrew, and it is widely understood as a symbol that expresses the importance and value of life itself within the Jewish tradition. The group's name, JCHAI, reflects this deep Jewish value. Established in 2025 seeks to celebrate and advance Jewish culture, heritage, and identity across our campus community. In recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, we are proud to feature several of group's founding members whose leadership helped launch this important new community at UC Davis.
Jeff Sherman
Jeff Sherman is a professor in the Department of Psychology whose research focuses on modern antisemitism.
His Jewish identity directly informs his academic work. “I am doing research on modern antisemitism,” he said. “In particular, I’m interested in antisemitism from the right and the left, and the role that racialization of Jews as White or not White plays in that bias.”
Sherman said he joined JCHAI to “find and build community with other Jewish people on campus.”
His favorite Jewish holiday is Passover “because of the food and celebration of universal freedom.”
Deanne Meyer
Deanne Meyer said Jewish values are closely connected to her work in environmental stewardship.
“Tikkun Olam is the repair of the world,” she said. “I work in environmental stewardship and help improve our environmental footprint of food production daily.”
Her favorite Jewish observance is Shabbat. “Like clockwork it arrives on Friday at sunset and encourages us to unplug from the week and take a day of rest,” she said. “That’s my time to reflect. Saturday at sunset we can usher in a new week with the sweet smells of spices at Havdalah.”
When asked what she wishes others understood about Judaism, Meyer emphasized peace and connection. “As a people, we strive for peace and harmony with those around us.”
The Jewish values she finds most inspiring are “Tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (helping those in need), chesed (loving-kindness), kehillah (community) and Shabbat (rest and rejuvenation).”
Ella Rohde
Ella Rohde serves as an HR coordinator within the Shared Services Organization at UC Davis, specializing in student and academic employment. She also serves as co-president of Congregation Beth Shalom and has focused her academic work on Jewish community building following Oct. 7.
Rohde said her Jewish identity shapes how she approaches her work and relationships across campus.
“I carry the Torah with me wherever I go,” she said. “For me, this means leading with integrity, compassion and accountability.”
As the only Jewish person on her team, Rohde said she is intentional about building understanding through everyday interactions. “Being part of a minority community at UC Davis has sharpened my awareness around bias and belonging,” she said. “I believe there is an opportunity to further integrate Jewish identity into broader diversity efforts at UC Davis.”
Pesach is her favorite holiday because of its deep connection to Jewish history and contemporary issues. “The story of Exodus feels central to Jewish identity, and the Seder creates a meaningful space for reflection each year,” she said.
This year, Rohde said her Seder conversations included “racism, environmental harm and how we show up for immigrant communities.” She added that the holiday reminds her of “responsibility and resilience,” while the concept of Dayenu encourages gratitude alongside continued progress. “I also love any excuse to enjoy matzo ball soup,” she said.
Rohde said one of the most important things people should understand about Judaism is the strong sense of shared responsibility within Jewish communities.
“There is a strong connection across geography and background,” she said. “We celebrate together, and we feel pain together.”
She also emphasized the importance of understanding Jewish history more broadly. “In my research, I’ve seen how antisemitism has functioned as a framework for broader systems of exclusion, shaping how societies construct and target outsiders,” she said. “This history is often overlooked, yet it provides important context for understanding both Jewish experiences and wider patterns of discrimination.”
Jacob Bernhardt
Jacob Bernhardt is an A/V engineer who designs audiovisual systems for new construction projects and supports undergraduate lecture halls and classrooms.
Bernhardt said he joined JCHAI to support fellow Jewish staff members and help foster community.
“I joined JCHAI to be supportive of other Jewish staff and to try to be one more friendly and familiar voice in a world that seems less compassionate each day,” he said.
His favorite holiday is Shavuot “because I enjoy the reading of the Book of Ruth, and also love the food.”
When asked what he wishes more people knew about Judaism, Bernhardt pointed to the concept of Tikkun Olam. “We all want the world to be a better place,” he said.
The Jewish value that resonates most with him is community. “I associate Judaism with fostering community and supporting each other,” he said.