For the first time in its new location, KU Hillel built a sukkah for the holiday of Sukkot. The sukkah was built and decorated by KU Hillel students and staff.
The porch was the perfect place for a sukkah, especially since we already have students lounging out there with the nice weather, KU Hillel Executive Director Suzy Sostrin said.
“Having the opportunity to work together to build our first sukkah was emblematic of our successful staff-student partnership,” Sostrin said. “We loved being able to overcome challenges — like a very windy day! — to make something truly beautiful.”
The sukkah building crew had plenty of first-timers. Many students have only experienced a sukkah already built, not building one on their own, Sostrin said.
“Others shared stories of the sukkahs their families have made and incorporated their traditions into the decoration process,” Sostrin said.
The students appreciated the opportunity to give back to the Hillel community and make new friends along the way.
“I loved getting to use my creativity to make the space beautiful and have fun with my friends,” KU junior Kate Jacobs said.
Also celebrated in the new space this past week was the first Midnight Oneg of the semester, featuring a late-night dinner and plenty of time to hang out together.
“I was so excited to plan Midnight Oneg,” Sammi Grofsky, a sophomore on the planning committee, said. “It is amazing to plan an event that everyone loves and get to see my community gather all together.”
Midnight Onegs started six years ago and became increasingly popular events because of the good opportunities they provide for students to socialize and get together safely on Friday nights.
KU Hillel values these events because it portrays its understanding of the need to meet college students where they are at.
“With our new location in the midst of campus, it has been amazing for students to visit between classes or easily get to us for events like Midnight Oneg on a Friday night,” Sostrin said.
KU Hillel’s programming schedule continued to pick up this week, between the Midnight Oneg, sukkah building and Wellness Wednesday, plus the start of Jewish Learning Fellowships.
“Our theme for this year continues to be hineni (here) and we are truly able to be here for our students through our diverse, innovative programming,” Sostrin said.
