Welcome,
This year at Hillel we have decided to incorporate a new aspect into the way Judaism is viewed on campus, but most importantly how it is viewed through you; the student. As technology changes; almost everyday new and innovative methods are popping up allowing groups of individuals to stay connected with one another and better express how they see themselves within the world today. At Hillel, we value each value each and every student on this campus regardless of what faith. When creating this blog we wanted to provide a place where students like yourself feel comfortable about expressing the positive and negatives of their Jewish experience here on Miami’s campus. Most importantly, we created this blog as a space for you to share your personal experiences of how Judaism played a role in your lives before coming to Miami. We want you to share your personal experiences- including things like travelling abroad, celebrating the holidays, youth groups, and even life-long friendships. Share with us your crazy stories, personal memoirs, and life changing experiences. This blog is about breaking social barriers. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing these stories in public, this space was created for you and we encourage everyone to feel comfortable contributing as little or as often as you like.
As the holidays are approaching and Monday evening marked the beginning of the Jewish new year; Rosh Hashanah I wanted to take this time and reflect back on an important experience that has shaped who I am today. During my senior year in high school I had the opportunity to study abroad in Israel for two months. In the winter of 2006 I boarded an El-Al jet with thirty Jewish high school students from around the United States. Together we encompassed a wide range of interests, backgrounds, histories, and ages. I was preparing to pack-up all that existed back home in the United States, miss a semester of my senior year, and arrive in a land that I had only learned about through books, movies and textbooks. A land that I knew only little about but for some reason was drawn too. I believe it was this sense of unknowing that I was so excited for; a chance to make new friends from around the country and around the world and at the same time explore a land full of culture.
I lived in Hod Hasharon while attending the Alexander Muss Institute in Israel. Everyday, I woke up to the smiling faces of Israeli students, Ethiopian and Russian immigrants and a campus full of diversity. While living in Israel we were encouraged to keep journal entries of our emotions, experience, and personal testimonies. Below is a section of one of my journals I find myself constantly looking back on.
"Our introduction to Jerusalem during sunset was unbelievable. As I took my blindfold off and was able to catch a glimpse of this beautiful city, I was speechless. Sitting on the steps and hearing the calls to prayer over the speakers was something that provided more of a sense of reality of being in Israel. At this one point it felt like Christians, Jews and Muslims were united by one voice and one motive."
Sometimes it takes a life changing experience to open our eyes to what life is really about. Despite our differences; we may have a lot of similarities. Only through conversation do we realize how similar we are and we can put our voices together to reach one goal.
It’s amazing how an experience can have such a strong affect on the individual. After travelling to Israel I realized that what occurs in the world around us shapes us no matter how aware we are. Within us we carry generation and generations of history that is hidden deep inside us.
As the holiday nears I challenge each and every individual to try something new, make a new friend, or mend a broken a friendship and I look forward to seeing everyone around campus.
This year at Hillel we have decided to incorporate a new aspect into the way Judaism is viewed on campus, but most importantly how it is viewed through you; the student. As technology changes; almost everyday new and innovative methods are popping up allowing groups of individuals to stay connected with one another and better express how they see themselves within the world today. At Hillel, we value each value each and every student on this campus regardless of what faith. When creating this blog we wanted to provide a place where students like yourself feel comfortable about expressing the positive and negatives of their Jewish experience here on Miami’s campus. Most importantly, we created this blog as a space for you to share your personal experiences of how Judaism played a role in your lives before coming to Miami. We want you to share your personal experiences- including things like travelling abroad, celebrating the holidays, youth groups, and even life-long friendships. Share with us your crazy stories, personal memoirs, and life changing experiences. This blog is about breaking social barriers. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing these stories in public, this space was created for you and we encourage everyone to feel comfortable contributing as little or as often as you like.
As the holidays are approaching and Monday evening marked the beginning of the Jewish new year; Rosh Hashanah I wanted to take this time and reflect back on an important experience that has shaped who I am today. During my senior year in high school I had the opportunity to study abroad in Israel for two months. In the winter of 2006 I boarded an El-Al jet with thirty Jewish high school students from around the United States. Together we encompassed a wide range of interests, backgrounds, histories, and ages. I was preparing to pack-up all that existed back home in the United States, miss a semester of my senior year, and arrive in a land that I had only learned about through books, movies and textbooks. A land that I knew only little about but for some reason was drawn too. I believe it was this sense of unknowing that I was so excited for; a chance to make new friends from around the country and around the world and at the same time explore a land full of culture.
I lived in Hod Hasharon while attending the Alexander Muss Institute in Israel. Everyday, I woke up to the smiling faces of Israeli students, Ethiopian and Russian immigrants and a campus full of diversity. While living in Israel we were encouraged to keep journal entries of our emotions, experience, and personal testimonies. Below is a section of one of my journals I find myself constantly looking back on.
"Our introduction to Jerusalem during sunset was unbelievable. As I took my blindfold off and was able to catch a glimpse of this beautiful city, I was speechless. Sitting on the steps and hearing the calls to prayer over the speakers was something that provided more of a sense of reality of being in Israel. At this one point it felt like Christians, Jews and Muslims were united by one voice and one motive."
Sometimes it takes a life changing experience to open our eyes to what life is really about. Despite our differences; we may have a lot of similarities. Only through conversation do we realize how similar we are and we can put our voices together to reach one goal.
It’s amazing how an experience can have such a strong affect on the individual. After travelling to Israel I realized that what occurs in the world around us shapes us no matter how aware we are. Within us we carry generation and generations of history that is hidden deep inside us.
As the holiday nears I challenge each and every individual to try something new, make a new friend, or mend a broken a friendship and I look forward to seeing everyone around campus.
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