Kedma uncertain about hosting in-person events during the pandemic
By Erin Harper
For Mitzpeh
@umdmitzpeh
As this university wraps up another semester of mostly virtual classes, Kedma, the Orthodox Jewish group on campus, is hesitant to host limited in-person events and services.
Founded in 1997, Kedma has operated as one of the largest Orthodox college communities at this university, working to host ...
Community comes together to combat COVID-19
By Nira Dayanim
For Mitzpeh
@umdmitzpeh
Over the past few weeks, a combination of cold weather and the return to campus after time away has led to a spike in COVID-19 cases among students at this university. The Jewish response? Fight it together.
Last semester, Kedma, the Orthodox group on campus, created a WhatsApp group to keep ...
Shabbat Crew serves meals despite pandemic
Ben Baruch
For Mitzpeh
@Ben_J_Baruch
The "Shabbat Crew" is serving Shabbat dinner and lunch again now that Maryland Hillel is allowed to host outdoor or socially distant indoor meals. Hillel is the only place students at this university can get kosher food during the week, and one of only a few on Shabbat and holidays.
The Shabbat ...
Kedma poker night raises money and fun
By James Hartner
For Mitzpeh
@jhartner_umd
On Sat. Dec. 12, Kedma hosted a virtual Texas Hold'em poker tournament to help raise money for charity.
This tournament consisted of 14 participants, each with a $15 buy-in. With the stockpile of money, 50% of the money was distributed to the top three participants and 50% went to a charity ...
How this Jewish student honors a friend during giving season
By Max Boyarsky
@BoyarskyMax
For Mitzpeh
Mo Goldberger, a junior computer science student at this university, started a fundraiser to help the homeless population in honor of their late friend.
The fundraiser officially started in October, but Goldberger’s inspiration for the idea came much earlier. Batya Blitz, a close friend of ...
Corona Connects steps up during COVID-19
By Ashkan Motamedi
For Mitzpeh
@coolswagjay
When Elana Sichel, a senior management major, wanted to help people struggling amid COVID-19 last April, she faced many barriers to finding opportunities. That's how she and her friend Hadassah Raskas, an alum of the University of Pennsylvania who studied public health and consumer ...
Thanksgiving plans change for students due to COVID-19
By Nira Dayanim
For Mitzpeh
@umdmitzpeh
Topping off an unprecedented semester due to COVID-19, a holiday that is usually spent surrounded by family and friends has been scaled back, shifted, and in some cases, canceled.
This year, Thanksgiving is taking place in the midst of the largest spike in cases since the beginning of the ...
Terps share a Laugh with Lovitt
By Sarah Dilworth
For Mitzpeh
@worthsomedills
Comedian Benji Lovitt performed for over 80 students over Zoom on Nov. 5 as part of a Terps for Israel event, uniting comedy lovers from Hillel Montreal, Tulane University for Israel, GW for Israel and Huskies for Israel.
“Laugh with Lovitt” was created as part of a fundraiser to ...
Rak Shalom shines with Broadway actor Adam Kantor
Judith Altneu
For Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
Rak Shalom, a Jewish, co-ed a cappella group at this university, sang Kol Nidre background vocals for Adam Kantor, a Jewish Broadway actor, at Hillel International’s virtual High Holiday program.
Rak Shalom booked the gig through a connection with member Sara Heckelman, a senior market...
Hillel brings a taste of Israel to students’ homes
By: Paige Maizes
@MaizesPaige
For Mitzpeh
This university’s Hillel Israel Fellow Sapir Frieman, 28, led an Israeli Zoom cooking class on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m., as part of Hillel International's weekly virtual cooking sessions. During the event, titled "UshpiZoom," she taught participants how to make shakshuka and ...
