During the 2021 fall semester, KU Hillel moved locations and introduced multiple new classes and Shabbat services.
For Suzy Sostrin, KU Hillel’s executive director, it feels like yesterday that they moved into their new location on the edge of KU’s campus. Fall semester usually flies by for both the Hillel staff and their students because of all the Jewish holidays, programming and Rock Chalk Shabbat.
“We truly hit the ground running in August by meeting freshmen students with welcome goodies and welcoming back returning Jayhawks with our first Shabbat of the school year,” Sostrin said. “From there, we saw a large increase in the number of students who joined us at Hillel.”
KU Hillel’s new location allowed students to drop by between classes for a bite to eat or time to study.
“From the second I stepped into Hillel, it felt like a homey, comfortable atmosphere,” KU senior Corey Cohn said. “From then on, Hillel enabled [me] to build friends and valuable connections with its inclusive environment.”
KU Hillel also introduced three new Jewish learning series, which were attended weekly by students of all grade levels and interests. Rabbi Neal Schuster led “Question Everything,” an opportunity for students to explore Judaism through questioning and make their own decisions through discussions.
“I kept thinking about some of the things brought up in class for hours after the session had ended,” freshman Hannah Smuckler said.
Other class options were the Jewish Makers Institute, an arts-based approach to Torah learning emphasizing the shmita year we are currently in; and Jewish Flavors, a culinary class that explored different Jewish cultures through cooking. This hands-on cooking class will continue next semester for students who were on the waitlist to experience it.
“We are looking forward to having a large kosher kitchen in our new home so we can have even more students participate in our cooking classes,” Sostrin said.
Shabbat experiences, an incredibly important part of Hillel’s weekly programming, expanded this semester. Students led services that incorporated traditions from their own families and religious upbringings, furthering Hillel’s emphasis on a welcoming environment. In addition to KU Hillel’s Shabbat 5:30s (a combination of services and dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays), the staff and students added Bagel Brunches on Saturday mornings and Midnight Onegs.
Hillel’s annual Hanukkah party had students lighting menorahs together and snacking on fried food to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah. Students wore their favorite holiday sweaters and ate latkes and sufganiyot.
After a few weeks off for KU’s winter break, KU Hillel will welcome students back in January.
