Jewish studies program sees redesign as student engagement declines
By Vanessa Reis
For Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
The Jewish studies major at this university is being redesigned after numbers in the program dropped significantly, said Hayim Lapin, director of The Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies.
Lapin said the Jewish studies program has between five and 10 students currently enrolled. Just five or six years ...
From Jew-ish to Jew: How Jewish students connect to faith at UMD
By Ndeye Aminata Ndiaye
For Mitzpeh
@aminableu10
There is a big difference between being born Jewish and choosing to be Jewish. Although born into Jewish families, some students were largely uninvolved with their religious identities until they found the Jewish community on this campus.
One of them is sophomore computer science and finance ...
Students share their Israeli stories during Israel Week story slam
By Jacqueline Chase
Staff writer
@Mitzpeh
To kick off Israel Week, Hillel partnered with Resetting the Table to give students a space to discuss their relationship with Israel Thursday night.
Students gathered in Van Munching Hall for “Your Israel Story,” where they shared their experiences and thoughts on their connect...
London Kollel creates community for Torah study
By Jacqueline Chase
Staff writer
@Mitzpeh
Many students take a gap year before college to study Judaism in Israel. When they begin their first semester, they realize that finding time to continue Torah study can be difficult. London Kollel is working to change that.
London Kollel was founded in memory of Rabbi Yitchak London, ...
Students balance school work at home, service overseas
By Alexander Tuerk
For Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
Jesse Berman wakes up at 6 a.m. almost every morning. He trudges over to Ritchie Coliseum, where he lifts weights, runs on the treadmill, or practices his new discipline—yoga. From there, he moves to his coursework: statistics and economics. Although he is a senior majoring in economics, Berman spends ...
Is getting a tattoo against the Jewish faith?
By Gabrielle Hernandez
For Mitzpeh
@gabrielleviolah
If you were to ask a traditional rabbi, some might say that tattoos are against the Jewish faith. Their protest can be found in Leviticus 19:28, which states: “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord.”
The ...
Jewish students go global during winter break
By Nicole Wohlberg
For Mitzpeh
@mitzpeh
As winter break approaches, students are scrounging for activities over the long six-week vacation.
Hillel provides alternative break trips every year over winter and spring break for Jewish students. These trips are geared for students who observe Sabbath and keep kosher.
Over the ...
Three Jewish denominations “C.O.N.N.E.C.T.” through Torah scripture
By Haleigh Whisted
For Mitzpeh
@HaleighWhisted
To celebrate Hanukkah, three of the most active minyanim on campus organized and held C.O.N.N.E.C.T., an event where students of all Jewish denominations can study and learn the Torah’s sacred text together, Thursday evening.
“We’re Jews, and our connection to our past is ...
Observant Jewish students struggle as finals week approaches
By Hallie Kay
For Mitzpeh
@TheHallieKay
Finals are just around the corner, and students all over this university are beginning to prepare: making study guides, going to office hours and hunkering down for the weeks ahead.
For observant Jewish students, this time may be difficult.
Many observant Jewish students at this ...
Ultimate Frisbee player Jesse Vaknin shares his love for the game and his team
By Annie Archer
For Mitzpeh
@anniearcher98
Jesse Vaknin has been playing ultimate Frisbee since freshman year of high school, but he’s not doing it just to polish his skills.
Vaknin, a sophomore government and politics major, is a player on this university’s B team for the ultimate disc club.
He first discovered his ...
