On January 24th, KU Hillel kicked off its' 2012 Freshman Leadership Series. This annual program brings together 25 freshman participants from different leadership backgrounds. These students provide necessary insight into what they want to see from their Jewish community while learning new leadership skills. Through this 5 session program, students learn about themselves as leaders and then work on improving the engagement process to reach out to uninvolved Jewish students. The first session consisted of a variety of team building exercises as well as some get-to-know-you activities.

During the second session on Tuesday, February 7th, students will work with Ruben Perez, the Director for Student Involvement and Leadership Center at KU and learn about a variety of leadership opportunities that KU offers. One of the sessions includes a Shabbaton which in the past has been many of the students favorite part of the series. Participants will spend a significant amount of time brainstorming plans for the Fall 2013 incoming freshman class. The participants talk about what worked and what did not work during their own engagement process. Many of the students who participate in Freshman Leadership Series become interns and active in committees within Hillel where they put their ideas and engagement skills to practice.

When asked why students chose to participate in Freshman Leadership Series, many of the answers were the same. Freshman Mackenzie Litt from Minnesota said, "I was really involved in BBYO (

B'nai B'rith Youth Organization) and gained a lot of leadership experience through that but I know I can always continue learning to become an even better leader. I hope to learn how to apply this series to benefit campus organizations. I also wanted to meet more of the Freshman class and build relationships with them."

The Freshman Leadership Series also helps students get more involved in KU Hillel in hopes that these students will become the future leaders of the Jewish Community at KU.

On Friday, January 20, 2012 KU Hillel hosted its eighth Jayhawk Shabbat. At the beginning of each semester, KU Hillel pairs up with the KU Alumni Association to put on this event at the Adams Alumni Center.

Jayhawk Shabbat is a great way to welcome back students after a long Winter Break and start the semester off on a positive note. Dana Wilensky, a Junior from Minnesota said, "It was really nice to see everyone come back together after not seeing them since December. I really enjoyed hearing about the Birthright and ILM trips and also seeing all my friends that I didn't see over break." 

Over 80 students attended Jayhawk Shabbat this semester with a great deal of them walking away with prizes including KU Hillel sweatshirts, Alumni Association pint glasses, t-shirts and much more. 

With such a great turnout at the first event of the semester, KU Hillel is looking forward to another amazing semester. 

Our journey started at the same overlook of Jerusalem that most of us have been to at least once before-Mt. Scopus. This time however, was much different. The meanings of the buildings were explained and their purpose became easier to understand. The removal of the ‘rose colored glasses’ had begun. We started to see just how different this trip would be from all others that we’ve been on before. We would get to see what Israel is like from the perspective of those that live there. Whether they are people from Kibbutz or Americans that made aliah, they shared their struggles and views about the state of Israel.

We spoke with the leader of the Reform movement, Rabbi Uri Regev, and he explained to us how some of the laws about marriage, citizenship, and general life work. Some of the group members were shocked by what Uri told us because they were never taught about the downsides of living in Israel. In all reality, unless someone lives in Israel or participates in a trip like ILM, the negative aspects of the Israeli government are never revealed.

Our next experience was a powerful one; we spent time in the Old City. We prayed at the Kotel, walked around the Jewish, Arab, and Christian quarters and took part in the Shabbat preparation at a famous outdoor market-Machane Yehudah. It was amazing to see how busy everyone was preparing for Shabbat. All of the venders had a huge variety of foods.  The fruits and vegetables were so fresh and they tasted even better, the cheeses were full of flavor, and the rugalach were unreal.

While in Jerusalem, we were exposed to other parts of the city that are holy to other religions. The Church of the Holy Sepluchre is one of the holiest places in the world for the Christian faith. The group was incredibly lucky and honored to be able to visit such holy site, especially because not all Christians get to experience the Church.  We also learned all about the Dome of the Rock, the second most holy place in the world for the Muslim faith. The Dome itself is pure gold and can be seen from miles away. It’s a beautifully made building that also has so much history and culture behind it.

The time we spent in Jerusalem was amazing and we all learned so much. Seeing different perspectives and learning new information opened all of our eyes about everyday life in Israel. We are all bringing back different emotions and ideas about what Israel means to us, but our love for the state still remains strong. We all believe that something needs to be done to improve Israel, but are unsure of what exactly we can do. The beauty of this trip is that there are thirteen individuals that have the power and drive to help make Israel even stronger. The four days we spent in Jerusalem was only the start to our amazing journey that we were about to embark on.

Sara Finesilver

Sophomore

Communications Intern 

On January 5, 2012 the Aerosvit airplane touched down at Ben Gurion Airport.  All 40 students participating in KU Hillel’s Birthright trip survived the grueling 20 hours of traveling it took to finally make it to Israel. We hopped on the bus and drove straight north to stay at a Kibbutz on the Mediterranean coastline. The next day, we were up bright and early to start at 7:30 a.m. where we went to the Rosh Hanikra and toured the grottos/caves along the Israel/Lebanon boarder. “The caves were beautiful.  It was like looking at something out of a movie,” said Jenna Delesha.  After the caves everyone got to explore on their own for lunch in Rosh Pina. Right away, everyone flocked to the Shwarma restaurant where we all experienced our first authentic Israeli meal. 

Later that day, we went on nature hikes through Mount Meiron and the Hula Valley.  We ended our first full day in Israel with dinner and an Israeli movie called The Lost Island and got some much-needed sleep.

The next day in Israel was just as jam-packed.  Although it was raining, that did not stop us from making the most of our time here.  We started off the day in the Golan Heights where we watched an interactive video about everything that is produced in the area and then we toured the Olive Oil Press.  After lots of delicious samples of olive oils and testing the soaps and hand creams that were made in the factory, we got back on the bus and drove to the Golan Winery.  At the winery we learned how there are over 26 types of grapes, which are used to make the world-renowned wine that is produced in the Golan Heights. 

For three nights we have stayed at the Malkiya Kibbutz, “I really like it here.  It feels very homey,” said Nicole Levin.  Our first Shabbat in Israel was spent on the Kibbutz with an amazing service lead by KU Hillel’s Senior Jewish Educator, Rabbi Neal Schuster.

After only three days in Israel, everyone on the trip has become incredibly close.  It’s almost like we are all already one big family and we cannot wait to see what the rest of Israel has to offer!

 ~Written by Leah Swartz, KU Sophomore from California

On Sunday, December 4th, over 60 KU students came to KU Hillel to make holiday bags for The Lawrence Community Shelter. During the afternoon, students made chocolate covered pretzels, holiday cards, and stuffed gift bags for the children and adults who stay at The Lawrence Community Shelter. After the holiday bags were put together, Beth Boomstein and Nora Freyman delivered them to Lawrence Community Shelter. The kids and adults there were very thankful that KU Hillel students took the time to make these bags. Boomstein, KU student from Dallas, TX said "It is so nice to get together as a group to create holiday bags for the homeless shelter. Hopefully it will contribute positively to the season!" KU Hillel is proud to be able to help Lawrence families in need have a happier holiday season.

Students also donated and wrapped over 30 presents to donate to the family that KU Hillel adopted for the holiday, some of the gifts included pots, pans, towels, games, arts and crafts, books and stuffed animals.

For students interested in other community service projects and giving back to the Lawrence community, Challah for Humanity workshops will start up again in January. Please contact KU Hillel for more information.

Freshman Leadership Series is back! This 5 series program that includes a one night retreat is an incredible opportunity for freshman to get more involved in KU Hillel. This program will provide freshmen with leadership opportunity, training and resources to grow as successful leaders within the Jewish Community of KU and beyond.

It's a great way for freshman to see what KU Hillel is all about. They have an opportunity to brainstorm program ideas for KU Hillel in future years as well as critique/make suggestions about how to make current programs even better. 

Applications are due Dec. 16th!

On Friday, November 4th, 2011, KU Hillel hosted the 10th annual Rock Chalk Shabbat. The evening began at 6pm in the Big 12 room of the Kansas Union were the men of AEPi served hors d'oeuvres and welcomed all students, families, alumni and community members.

At 6:30pm, services began across the hall in Woodruff Auditorium. Services were led by Abby Durham, along with the rest of the service committee; Wendi Albert, Becca Berger, Sara Finesilver, JP Held, Tami Sonenshein and Leah Swartz. Halfway through services, Senior Michael MacGregor led everyone in the Mi Sheberach by playing the violin.

At 8pm, everyone made their way into the Kansas ballroom where dinner was be served. The men of ZBT acted as the servers of the evening. It was truly an amazing evening filled with fun, friends, and good food. Families, students, and community members from all over the country came together to celebrate Shabbat in a very unique setting.

There were over 120 students that were involved in the planning Rock Chalk Shabbat and the night could not have happened without their hard work and dedication. The students showed incredible leadership skills in the planning of Rock Chalk Shabbat and they are the reason that KU Hillel can continue to have such a powerful impact on the Jewish community of KU.

This is a great, inexpensive opportunity to get back to Israel and experience it from a new perspective. 

Alternative Winter break departs December 2011

Alternative Spring break departs March 17, 2012

For more information and to register go to jnf.org/break or contact Dana Wilensky.