Ben Sevart

My name is Ben and I am a junior studying Mathematics and Religious Studies. I am from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. I grew up in an atheist household, so religion was not a part of my life as a child, yet I have found a secular appreciation for it through my studies here at UW-Madison and by working at a local synagogue. My academic interests lie primarily in the religious traditions of India. As a fellow with the CRGC, I hope to explore the ways that religious communities and leaders in Madison and beyond have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led many state and local governments to force the cancellation of in-person religious services. Through this issue, I want to explore deeper questions about religious freedom and the role of the state. I look forward to meeting the other Fellows, learning about their faiths, and contributing to the interfaith dialogue that is so important in a pluralistic society.