While in college, the years can fly by so quickly and it is so easy to feel like one is living in a bubble. It is with this in mind that KU Chabad hosts an in depth tour of Jewish Kansas City each semester, with the goal of exposing the students to what it’s like being part of a Jewish community post college.
The students who joined were part of the KU Chabad Sinai Scholars Society, a unique program that offers a fresh and exciting take on Jewish life and learning. Every semester a limited number of KU’s top students join this society dedicated to intellectual discovery and lively discussion.
The students meet for eight classes, which explore the fundamental principles of Jewish faith and human civilization — as put forth in the wisdom of Jewish teachings.
Students participate in the weekly discussion, embark on a field trip, experience a Shabbat, and write two papers. When they’re done, they can meaningfully discuss Judaism’s approach to such issues as faith, family, property, medical and business ethics, relationships, and much more. “Sinai Scholars gives me the opportunity to explore my Judaism with my peers in a fun and insightful way,” Max Kohl, sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska, said.
The visit to KC kicked off with a tour of the Jewish Community Campus and the Gan Chabad Jewish Preschool, giving a glimpse into the vibrancy of Jewish life in Kansas City.
Following this tour, the students participated in a hands-on scribal arts workshop led by local Ritual scribe, Rabbi Berel Sosover. They learned all about the methods of writing a Torah scroll and Mezuzah and had the opportunity to make their own Mezuzah cases as well.
Zac Kitay, a freshman from Stamford, Connecticut, shared that a highlight of the trip was getting his Hebrew name written by the scribe. “The scribal arts workshop was so interesting. I never had my name written before like that with special ink on the parchment in the Torah script. I have it now displayed on my desk and it has brought some great conversations with my friends.”
After a fascinating talk all about the Jewish spin on love and intimacy, the scholars joined an insightful tour of the Community Mikvah.
At one of the last stops on the trip, the students discovered how easy it is to shop kosher while having fun playing the “kosher scavenger hunt” by finding items with kosher symbols at the only kosher deli in the state of Kansas at the Hen House market.
Today it is so easy to shop with kosher in mind, as over 70% of the products on the shelves in your local grocery store are now kosher. The day wrapped up with a delicious kosher dinner and reflection.
To wrap up the day a special dinner was held at The Shul of Leawood where the students heard from community leader Patricia Uhlmann. In her message to the students she told them to recognize that they are the next generation of Jewish leaders, and that the future is in their hands.
“The field trip was very enjoyable,” said Ivy Greenberg, a freshman from Minneapolis, Minnesota. “I really enjoyed learning more about different aspects of Jewish life and it provided a deeper understanding of so many core Jewish values and traditions.”
