S.L. FULLER
Assistant News Editor
Jewish History Month is nationally recognized in May. But since that month is usually crazy for college campuses, most recognize it in April. Formally known as the Jewish Student Union, Hillel has been holding events all month to celebrate.
“We were originally known as Jewish Student Union for the longest time, but two years ago we changed to Hillel. It’s actually an international organization, so we’re part of a larger group,” said Hillel’s president, senior early childhood education major Brittany Fischer. “I thought it would be a good change because … I think a lot of people would be scared away by the name ‘Jewish Student Union’ because they think of the religion. We’re a culture club; we’re not a religious club.”
So far, the opening ceremony, a shabbat dinner and a movie viewing have taken place. To finish out the month, Hillel will hold Bin-GLOW on April 23, which is co-sponsored with Latinos Unidos; Matzo Ball on April 26, which will be held in place of a Ga-ga game; Jews Around the World on April 30, which will be an educational and recreational event and the closing ceremony will be another shabbat dinner, which will take place on May 2.
Junior social work major Nathalie Guzman heads community service for Hillel and is also the president of Latinos Unidos. All the clubs affiliated with the Center for Multicultural Affairs are eager to help each other and co-sponsor events
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“I’m not Jewish myself,” said Guzman. “I actually joined the group so I could learn more about the Jewish culture by immersing myself into it. I like learning about [Jewish culture].”
Guzman went on to say how the main goal of Jewish History Month is to raise awareness about the culture. Most people, when they think about Judaism, associate it with the Holocaust and World War II. But Fischer explained that the club purposely tries to stay away from that era when creating their events.
“We actually make a point not to make [the Holocaust era] not what we’re about because there’s so much other stuff,” said Fischer. “But we do try to bring in a Holocaust speaker every year.”
“We do still feel it’s a very important topic,” added sophomore English adolescent education major and Hillel secretary Matthew Rudoy. “[Bringing in a Holocaust speaker] is an opportunity that’s not going to exist anymore in the near future.”
The majority of Jewish History Month events are centered around education in different topics of Judaism. The cleverly named Matzo Ball is a dance that will include music and food. Jews Around the World is focused on how far-reaching the culture really is.
“All the E-board members will have tables set up, and we all have a different country,” said Rudoy. “We’re focusing on sort of like Russian Jews, Chinese Jews, Iraqi Jews. People who are there get to go around to each table and learn about Jews all around the world.”
Guzman, Fischer and Rudoy all agree that the most important aspect of Jewish History Month is the opportunity to inform people about the Jewish culture.
“People tend to think of the [Jewish] holidays as a certain thing; they only know about the little matzos people eat during the holidays. But it’s not something they eat all the time,” said Guzman. “Other times people think that all the celebrations are just filled with praying — that’s not always the case either.”
Fischer, who is from Long Island, said she didn’t realize how unusual it was to be Jewish until she came to Fredonia.
“I think diversity in general is important particularly on this campus and in this area. There’s not a lot of Judaism around here,” said Fischer. “We’re on a holiday right now and we’re not allowed off from school. My other friends on other campuses are like ‘Are you coming home for this really important holiday?’ and I’m like ‘I have school.’”
“I think [Hillel’s Jewish History Month events] are just a good combination of fun and educational things about a culture, a religion and a people that everyone tends to have only one idea about,” said Rudoy.