Rutgers: A Great Place to be Jewish (for the new year)
By Meredith Brooks ’17
Meredith Brooks ’17 with friends at an RU football game
Rutgers Hillel has coined the catchphrase “Rutgers: A Great Place to be Jewish” and what better way to enjoy the high holidays than here with the Jewish community at Rutgers! Everyone here has been so welcoming, and it made me feel right at home through the hectic high holidays.
Growing up my Grandpa played a very large role in the Jewish person who I am today. He taught me what the Jewish holidays and rituals were on a much deeper level than what Hebrew school or camp had explained to me. While it was important that my brother and I learned about the rituals and traditions, he always instilled in us the importance of family and a sense of togetherness that we should have with the people that we love and care about during the holidays.
- Jaclyn Platt ’18, Derek Leckner ’18, Jordan Ashley ’15, Meredith Brooks ’17, and Josh Shamouil ’16
Unfortunately while I am not at home with my family celebrating the holidays, I am so lucky to have a great group of friends that I consider to be my Rutgers family that I can celebrate the holidays with. After transferring from a different school, I struggled with developing a sense of community. But after joining the Hillel community I was able to do that. While for some people Rosh Hashanah may not be about the praying and the apples and honey (but really who doesn’t like food), it is a time for appreciating the people that you care about. In addition to all the other wonderful friends and roommates I have, I am so thankful for the friends I have made here at Hillel!
Shana tova everyone!!!
Click here to learn more about the high holidays at Rutgers Hillel
