You Had Me at Hillel: Josh and Rachel's Love Story

Sometimes there’s an invisible string tying two people together and it takes them a bit of time to discover it. Such was the case with Hillel 818 alumnae Joshua Schleien and Rachel Katz. Rachel recounted,, “Our friend [Hillel 818 alum and Operations Director] Ben Braunstein set us up on a blind date almost a year ago in March. We were set up on a blind date by our friend [Hillel 818 alum and Operations Director] Ben Braunstein. This past March, almost a year ago, Josh texted me asking to go out for coffee, which turned into dinner, then walks, and soon we found ourselves seeing each other every day.” 

After nearly a year of dating, Josh decided it was time to take the next step. He shared, “Ben's Maker Space (Social Medium) opened up in December, and we've gone a couple times every week to do diamond art. Right after Hanukkah, I ordered the ring and I knew I was going to propose. The day that the ring arrived, she went to Social Medium while I went to my parents’ house to pick up the ring and buy flowers. When I showed up with flowers, she thought it was a casual gesture. She had no idea I was going to propose.”

Both Josh and Rachel attribute their connection to Hillel 818 as an important part of their relationship. Josh expressed, “We still have all of our friends from Hillel. Ben works there, and I was just there the other day. Hillel feels like a second home..” Rachel agreed, saying,, “We both lived in Hillel and at Ben's house, though at different times within a couple of years. It's very strange that we ran in the same friend circles for so long and just never met until last year.” 

From everyone at Hillel 818, we extend a heartfelt mazel tov to Josh and Rachel on their engagement!