On a warm evening with weeks to go until graduation, KU Hillel seniors gathered on the patio of Pedestrian Cheese for a seniors-only happy hour. As one of the many ways they are celebrating the class of 2021, this event was an opportunity to take a break from capstone projects and thesis papers.
With the school year quickly wrapping up, this happy hour was a learning experience of the world of wine and cheese pairings at a new Lawrence favorite.
“Our senior happy hour was honestly the perfect way to start to say farewell to my time with KU Hillel,” Ben Novorr said. “It was a chance to get together with my closest friends to celebrate how far we’ve come and where we’re going next.”
For a class that has lost out on so many traditional senior year rites of passage due to the pandemic, it was important to have some opportunities to be together, said Suzy Sostrin, KU Hillel executive director.
“These students have shown so much resilience and leadership over the past year, and we loved celebrating their accomplishments,” Sostrin said.
Sarah Glaser added that it was a wonderful bonding experience especially to get her blue-and-white Hillel graduation cords to wear on May 15, her graduation.
“It was so meaningful to have one last time to be together with just my senior class,” Glaser said.
After toasting each other with a glass of a new favorite wine, Sam Kricsfeld reflected on the moment. “Knowing that every student here is graduating is bittersweet, but I am so happy we all came together for a fun night,” he said.
On May 15, KU Hillel is hosting a havdalah ceremony and dinner for the new graduates and their loved ones on the beautiful terrace of HERE apartments overlooking KU’s Memorial Stadium. To RSVP and for more details, head to www.linktr.ee/kansashillel.
Seniors will receive their custom Campanile mezuzah, a KU Hillel tradition, so they carry a bit of Hillel with them as they move to new cities.
“We often tell our seniors to remember their nest and return to it often,” Sostrin said. “I can’t wait to see their next chapters as KU Hillel alumni.”
