A Way of Life

As a student, I often find myself struggling with my hectic schedule. On top of a full course load, I find myself allotting time between several student organizations from Miami Entrepreneurs to Hillel; Managing and working my DJ service, Knuckle-Up Productions; heading up the student record label MIOX RECORDS; working on new business ventures; meeting for group projects; interning at Hillel; eating and of course, sleeping (I get winded even thinking about it all). My weeks become a blur of activities, conversations, meetings, and information.
Despite my hectic schedule, I always find time for one important event in my week. Beginning freshman year I met three great friends who soon become my “entourage”. Every Friday we would walk out of the front doors of Collins Hall located on East Quad. In the crew are Eric Sunray (The rock star), Diogo Metz (The diplomat), Jeff Kloosterman (The artistic one), and myself, Dan Albert (The businessman). Despite our unique qualities we all shared one universal quality, our Judaism. Dressed in our finest linens we walked down High Street as an entity (The Jew Crew). Our mission was to hit up Hillel’s Beerman Center for the weekly Shabbat Services, snag some good food, and perhaps pick up a few ladies along the way. Every Friday, I knew I had a group of great guys that wanted to go celebrate our Judaism for a few hours of the night.
Hillel soon became the place we went to for a home cooked meal and a chance to spend some time with some quality people. I always will remember walking out of Hillel completely full and dreading the walk back to East Quad. After arriving back and regrouping we joined our other friends for a night on the town.
Attending Hillel has always been a part of my schedule despite the many events I have going on throughout the week or later on a Friday night. It has become a routine and a comfort. Every Friday night I feel like I have the ability to travel back home to St. Louis, MO. and experience the environment I have grown up in; an environment where Friday nights are about family first. By minimizing the outside distractions and eliminating answering the phone or watching television, we were able to focus on what was most important in our life; the relationship and open communication about the ups and downs, hopes and aspirations of our lives.

I see Hillel as my family, like many social and religious groups it allows for a place of open expression and the cultivation of relationships.

I will never forget the memories I have had while attending Hillel or the relationships I have established.

I am proud to say that to this day those that I began my Hillel journey with are still a part of it; they are a piece of me; a piece of Hillel; a piece of Miami; and a piece of Judaism and all that it encompasses.

Best Wishes,

Dan Albert
Hillel Engagment Intern
Albertds@muohio.edu

Hillel Featured in the Miami Student Paper!

Hey everyone,

Last week Miami University's Hillel was featured in the Miami Student. If you didn't get the chance to read the story in the paper that is published bi-weekly I have included it here for your reading pleasure.

Tommorow we head off to see Matisyahu with 13 students and are looking forward to a great time when we meet up with UC Hillel students for dinner and the show!

For those of you who are students good luck on finishing up with the last week of classes

Dan Albert

Hillel Engagement Intern

Albertds@muohio.edu

Hillel to attend Matisyahu concert Dec. 11


Miami University's chapter of Hillel, a Jewish campus organization, will be attending Hasidic Jewish rapper Matisyahu's concert Dec. 11 in Cincinnati.Hillel, one of the largest national Jewish campus organizations, allows Jewish students to discover their religious identity, according to their Web site.Hillel at Miami also allows students faculty, staff and the Oxford community to participate in religious, Israel-focused, social, educational, and community service-based events according to junior and Hillel member Dan Albert.Matisyahu, a Hasidic Jew, combines reggae, rock and hip-hop in his performances. He is strongly known for not performing on Shabbat and opening his concerts with a prayer according to Miami senior, Dan Birnbaum.According to Albert who organized the trip, Matisyahu is more of a rock star musician than a Hasidic Reggae rapper. Rather than focusing solely on religious aspects, Matisyahu's songs speak of his experiences growing up, said Albert.Since 2002, Albert has attended four Matisyahu concerts and said he enjoyed the number of diverse fans that the music reaches. With this event, Albert wanted to bring his musical interests to the attention of other students on campus."I'm not just a fan because he's Jewish," Albert said. "The lyrics they write are high-quality and I see more of the music."Hillel, located on East Walnut Street at the Beerman Jewish Student Center, encompasses a chapel, computer lab, wireless Internet and library, kitchen, dining room, game room and TV lounge. Hillel has weekly Jewish Shabbat services, followed by a home-cooked meal for all members of the community on Friday evenings. During the High Holidays and Passover, meals, services and seders are provided to the community.Birnbaum, member of Hillel, has also attended several Matisyahu concerts. Just like the concerts, Birnbaum says it is not uncommon to have non-Jewish members of the community attend Shabbat services at Oxford's Hillel weekly. "We promote involvement from the whole community, not just the Jewish community," he said.Other students at Miami that are not Jewish and non-members of Hillel enjoy listening to Matisyahu's music. Junior Tony Stricker attended a Matisyahu concert in Cleveland three years ago."It's incredible how people of all ages and religious affiliations can really enjoy his music," he said.Albert has purchased 15 tickets to the show for Jewish and non-Jewish students on campus. Through word of mouth, Albert has sold all 15 of his tickets.Tickets for the concert are still available to purchase on the Matisyahu Web site.Matisyahu performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at Bogart's in Cincinnati.