Rebecca Kloosterman
Hillel McMaster

Hillel McMaster students had a great start to the school year and proudly celebrated being Jewish on campus by handing out apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah. A few weeks later, students of all backgrounds were excited to learn more about Judaism and participated in High Holiday traditions, including waving the Lulav and Etrog in the McMaster Sukkah. As always, Jewish students remain centred on Jewish pride, community, and joy.

On October 7th, Hillel students held a vigil called "Remembering, Reflecting, and Rebuilding" at the McMaster Bridges Cafe. The students hand-crafted various artistic displays and invited attendees to move through the exhibits at their own pace, while experiencing a range of emotions. Many non-Jewish students joined in solidarity and curiosity, and one shared that the experience left him feeling incredibly humbled and changed.

Despite the ongoing challenges they face, including being confronted by historical inversions and antisemitism, Jewish students at Hillel McMaster are hopeful. Shabbat is celebrated amongst friends and community, and Jewish programming continues to grow in popularity. Students show up everyday celebrating their community and showcase the power of Jewish joy by connecting positively with others.