First Year Ice Cream @ Kline's!!

We were so excited about our first-year ice cream event at Kline's because we love meeting new people and seeing new faces. AND, not to forget, this week's flavor at Kline's was chocolate peanut butter ice cream--an executive board favorite! YUMMY!!!! Everyone had a great time eating their ice cream and catching up with old and new friends. My favorite part (besides eating the ice cream) was having a really good study break from all my work. I really hope to see all those new faces we met at Kline's at more Hillel events this semester. As the semester quickly comes to an end (how weird is that), and I embark on my second semester of my SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE, I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to put on events like this and make the most out of my time on the Hillel board. I hope to see everyone at the next event this week, which includes the always inspirational Rabbi E. Rabbi E is from Silver Spring, MD and works for MEOR DC. We have built a great relationship with Rabbi E over the past few years and he comes to JMU to teach a class about 3-5 times/semester. If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Rabbi E, join us on Wednesday, November 2nd in Showker Hall! Check the JMU Hillel FaceBook page for more information on this upcoming event.

BOOOO!!!

As folks filed into the Sunchase apartment for the Halloween themed Shabbat dinner, they could smell the baked ziti and the fresh garlic bread warming in the oven.  The evening began by lighting the Shabbat candles and making a blessing over the wine and challah. Around the room there were adorable orange and black Halloween decorations with candy strewn about the tables.  To give it that fall feeling, apple and pumpkin pie was provided for dessert, with a delectable orange sherbet float drink to top it off. Some individuals came all decked out in their costumes, supporting the Halloween theme.  We had an absolutely lovely Shabbat dinner together! See you guys at the next event.

 

Parent's Weekend Brunch

I do not think JMU could have asked for more perfect fall weather to accompany its Parent's Weekend!

Hillel, without fail, held its annual Parent’s Brunch on Saturday in the Transitions Room of Warren Hall.  The brunch spread included bagels, lox, vegetable toppings, fruit, coffee, juices, and a variety of oh so yummy desserts. There was lots of schmoozing and eating taking place as JMU students and families came to join in on the Hillel festivities. Some families found out they lived only ten or fifteen minutes from each other in their home states, and others recognized people from their local Jewish communities. The room was very warm and inviting with gourds and pumpkins as centerpieces on baby blue & white table cloths. Without doubt, nobody went home from the brunch on an empty stomach!   It was nothing but a great time, with parents learning and experiencing what JMU Hillel is all about.  We hope to see you all again at next year’s brunch!!   

Yom Kippur

Hi, my name is Samantha Zito, the Membership Vice President of JMU Hillel. I am guest blogging as JMU Hillel’s “Star of the Week.” This award is given to members on our executive board who are crucial in orchestrating Hillel events. This weeks big event – Yom Kippur!

This past week we observed Yom Kippur in Harrisonburg, VA! Although this year's observance fell out on a Saturday, we still had members in town looking for services and friends to observe the holiday with. Once again, we visited the community congregation of Temple Beth-El for the extent of the Yom Kippur holiday. Friday night, we enjoyed dinner at one of the on campus all-you-care-to-eat facilities, and during the evening we went to Kol Nidre services led by Rabbi Sue. Energized for another day of prayer, we headed over to Temple Beth-El on Saturday to hear Rabbi Joe and Torah reading by our very own religious chair, Rachel Reiter.  The turn out was great, and the community atmosphere was the next best thing to being at home with our own families. The rest of the day was spent cooking and preparing for a bagel and kugel filled break the fast. Despite being ravished by hunger, people came out in the best of spirits, sharing in a break fast meal and reflecting on the first 10 days of 5772. 

It is 5772!!!

SHANA TOVA!
What a great turn out we had to bring in the sweet Jewish New Year! Before services at Temple Beth-El, Hillel met at reserved tables in E-hall to join each other in a delicious Rosh Hashanah meal. After great conversation and delectable food, we all headed over to Temple Beth-El for an evening service of singing and praying that concluded with a cozy oneg in the social hall. It was so wonderful to see many new faces to Hillel, as well as to see the Jewish JMU students celebrating Rosh Hashanah along with the Harrisonburg Jewish community. Temple Beth-El loves when JMU students attend services, and we are proud to have had such a strong attendance this year.

To a Good and Sweet New Year!!

Bagel Brunch!

Our First Bagel Brunch this year was a success! We had about 30 people come out and join us at Mr. J's for delicious bagels and shmear. We were so thrilled to see that some of these were faces we had never seen before! I enjoyed my breakfast very much! My warm, delicious french toast bagel was the perfect way to start my Sunday. Many Hillel members received their T-shirts at this event! We give Hillel t-shirts out to students who attend at least 4 events. Hopefully we will be seeing our T-shirts more around campus now that we have given so many out =).

We have a lot of upcoming Hillel events this month including: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Break the Fast, Parent's Brunch, and first year only events. Look out for our emails, Facebook events, and blog posts for more information!