Sarah B

Sarah Bate is pursuing her master’s degree in social work at Boston University. Growing up in Southern New Jersey within the Reform Jewish movement, Sarah developed an early awareness of advocacy and social responsibility as a teen leader in her congregation and larger regional movements. Her mother, who served as the president of the teachers’ union, further inspired Sarah by modeling the power of organized action and leadership in promoting equity and change.

During her undergraduate years, Sarah discovered a sense of belonging at a Jewish sleepaway camp in rural Mississippi, where she witnessed the transformative power of a community built on shared values and mutual support. This experience deepened her passion for working with young people, recognizing their potential as agents of change and the importance of nurturing their development within supportive communities.

Sarah’s professional journey has been dedicated to empowering teen leaders, starting with initiatives rooted in Judaism, community and social justice. She now brings her skills to a food rescue organization, where she mentors teens to become advocates for food justice, using educational outreach and awareness campaigns to inspire action against food insecurity and inequity. Sarah believes in the potential of youth as seeds that, with the right care, can grow into powerful forces for future change.

As someone who returned to school to expand her knowledge, Sarah is excited to apply her theoretical learning to real-world challenges, fulfilling her advanced field practicum with enthusiasm as a visiting fellow or “wonk” at WMPC.