With the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone across the world found their lives disrupted and in need of creative ways to survive. For KU Hillel students, that was no different. Luckily, they found a resource in KU Hillel to aid them during the trying COVID-19 times.
“[Hillel has] offered themselves as a total resource and tool to use when in need of friends, advice, and even just filling extra time,” said Ryan Speckman, junior.
KU Hillel’s ability to assist students during the pandemic stems from the various programs they provide. Even with an initial moratorium of in-person events for safety, they held virtual Shabbat services and other programming. Additionally, KU Hillel has a licensed therapist on staff that students can take advantage of should they need for free therapy.
“This unique partnership with Jewish Family Services allows us to provide free therapy appointments for Jewish students with no wait time,” said Suzy Sostrin, KU Hillel executive director. “We were able to continue this with telehealth appointments through the pandemic and into the school year, where students were able to seek mental health support at any time.”
All of these opportunities at KU Hillel allowed students like Speckman to limit their struggles during the pandemic.
“Hillel has honestly been my rock during the pandemic,” said Ben Novorr, senior. “Whether it be virtual programming or socially distanced in-person events, it gave me the community that I was desperately needing.”
More recently, KU Hillel began shifting some programs to an in-person, socially distanced setting. As Novorr said, these programs have provided members of KU Hillel’s community with a broader network of new friends as students are able to finally meet face to face.
“I really enjoyed bringing back chametz at Papa Keno’s patio to break Passover and hang out with people,” Marni Frischer, sophomore, said.
As more of the nation continues to get vaccinated, KU Hillel is hoping to resume more traditional programming, while still keeping in mind the benefits of more distanced or virtual programming.
