Founders' Notes
Mikhal Ben-Joseph: Founder
Mikhal founded the Butterfly Project for Genocide Awareness in her sophomore year at American Heritage School. As the granddaughter of a Holocaust Survivor, she believes awareness of and activism against all modern genocides is the key to fulfilling the promise of “Never Again.” Mikhal is now a Robertson Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, where she studies biostatistics and global affairs. She continues to lead inter-cultural and global learning initiatives through the Carolina International Relations Association and the UNC Hillel. Mikhal is extremely proud of and grateful to the administration and students at American Heritage who continue advancing the Butterfly Project’s mission since her graduation in 2019.
Mrs. Behar: Teacher Sponsor
The Butterfly Project Board
Angelin Mathew: Director
Angelin is a senior at American Heritage passionate about activism and empowering other students to take action against ongoing genocide, prejudice, and intolerance. After reading Night in freshman year, she and Ashni choreographed a dance to raise awareness about dowry deaths in India. Since then, she has been inspired by the Butterfly Project to question complexities of her own identity and learn about other religions and cultures. Angelin is proud to work with the Butterfly team to give other students the same platform. In addition to the Butterfly Project, she is interested in international relations and scientific research.
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Contact: pl237811@ahschool.com
Corey Brand: Assistant Director
Corey is a senior at American Heritage and currently the co-President of the School's Tikkun Olam Club. From a young age, his history buff grandfather taught Corey a great deal of the history of the Jewish people. He learned of the many tragic stories of relatives who perished in the Holocaust and a few that had survived. Preserving the memories of all who have suffered from genocide is very important to Corey. Besides historical research, he enjoys playing the flute in the school marching band and wind ensemble.
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Contact: pl214891@ahschool.com
Rebecca Chiet: Assistant Director
Rebecca is a senior at American Heritage School. Being raised in a multi-ethnic household, she has become passionate in embracing diversity and promoting the tolerance of all ethnic and minority groups. She is actively involved in her Jewish community both at her temple, as her youth group’s Social Action Vice President, and on campus, as Tikkun Olam’s co-president. Rebecca became a member of the Butterfly Project team following her poem submission,“The Voices of the Repressed” for the Butterfly Project Genocide Awareness Project. In her free time, Rebecca is an oboist for the American Heritage Patriot Band, loves to knit, and bakes for her friends and family.
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Contact: pl238591@ahschool.com
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Ashni Zaverchand: Finance Coordinator
Ashni is a senior at American Heritage. As Co-President of the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America): Future Health Professionals chapter at school, Ashni is passionate about helping others and started her journey with the Genocide Awareness club and Butterfly project in her freshman year when she and Angelin performed an interpretive dance to spread awareness about dowry deaths in India. Ashni hopes to continue raising funds for genocide relief/victims and shed light on an issue that deserves more attention.
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Contact: pl238561@ahschool.com
Jewel Kyaw: Outreach Coordinator & Publicist
Jewel is a senior at American Heritage and loves engaging in discussion about change and world issues. She spends most of her time volunteering and organizing events for school clubs. During her freshman year, Jewel created a multimedia 2D art piece about the Rohingya genocide. Jewel joined the Butterfly Project as it became a platform to raise awareness about genocides and human rights. Aside from the Butterfly Project, she also dedicates time to animal welfare, Key Club, and teaching children science.
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Contact: pl202381@ahschool.com
Julia Seifer: Junior Assistant Director
As a junior at American Heritage, Julia aims to use the Butterfly Project to spread awareness about genocides to help uphold the promise of never again. Inspired by the devastating stories from Holocaust survivors at her temple, Julia joined this project to educate others and advocate for the genocide victims who cannot speak for themselves. Julia has participated in community service for Holocaust survivors and retells their stories, working to preserve their memories. Apart from the Butterfly Project, she enjoys studying medicine, architecture, baking, and playing volleyball.
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Contact: pl242891@ahschool.com
Sarah Goldberg: Junior Assistant Director
Sarah Goldberg is a student at American Heritage School who is eager to learn and encourage others to share their stories. Reading Elie Wiesel's experience of the Holocaust in his novel Night inspired her to submit a watercolor piece of the suffering in the novel to broadcast awareness of the Holocaust. When this piece placed in the Butterfly Project competition, she was exposed to many heartfelt stories of others, and was inspired to commit to the project as a member. As a part of this project, she hopes to share the same knowledge and stories with others and create a space for more stories as well.
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Contact: pl232311@ahschool.com
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