Jewish organization opens its arms to the community
The air was filled with Hebrew music on Friday, Jan. 25 as Jewish students looking to celebrate the Sabbath gathered to sing, pray, and eat Kosher meals.
Hillel at CU, located at 2795 Colorado Ave., celebrated the Sabbath by hosting a Shabbat service followed by a Kosher dinner.
The organization represents the Boulder branch of Hillel of Colorado, a Jewish organization that combines the social, cultural, and religious aspects of campus life.
“Hillel is a very open, welcoming environment and is a great way for freshman to come together,” said Jacob Elyachar, a freshman pre-journalism major.
Members of the Jewish community celebrate the Sabbath from sundown on Friday night to sundown on Saturday night.
15 students attended the service, including Phillip Rubinstein, a sophomore chemical engineering major, who read and sang scriptures.
Rubinstein said the Shabbat at Hillel allowed its members to “forget their worries, relax and most importantly come together as a community.”
CU is one of the three colleges that host the organization in Colorado. CSU and DU are also served by Hillel of Colorado.
“I feel we are more focused on community than religion,” said Lindsey Caplan, vice president of Hillel and junior psychology major.
The service began and ended with a prayer for those in need and for those in mourning.
“This Shabbat is not so much religious based but rather on getting to know everyone,” said Jeremy Simon, a sophomore psychology major and new member of Hillel.
Hillel strives to be an inviting organization that welcomes anyone willing to join, including the non-Jewish and those that do not attend CU.
“If you only cater to just the Jewish community, you don’t see all the good,” Rubinstein said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Katelyn Bell at Katelyn.bell@colorado.edu.
