KU Hillel staff spent the first week of the University of Kansas’s 2022 fall semester welcoming new and returning students.
Students received welcome week packages detailing events and how to get to Hillel.
Throughout the week, students stopped by KU Hillel for snacks, socializing and a workspace. On campus, staff members passed out cold brewed coffee and new Hillel merchandise while sharing conversations on Jayhawk Boulevard.
“Welcome Week is our first opportunity to meet students and catch up with others after a long summer break,” Executive Director Suzy Sostrin said. “We love creating as many opportunities as possible for our newest Jayhawks to get to know the incredible Hillel community and make friends right off the bat.”
On Tuesday, KU Hillel hosted an ice cream night at Sylas and Maddy’s, a local favorite in Lawrence in the heart of downtown on Massachusetts Street.
“By the end of the evening [at Sylas and Maddy’s], I was already finding friends,” freshman Jeremy Rosenwald said.
Some of KU Hillel’s staff members’ dogs visited campus on Wednesday to provide “pet therapy” for freshmen who missed their family pets. That evening started the first of Hillel’s freshmen-specific programming.
Freshman Feast brought together first-year students for dinner and “KU 101.” KU Hillel student leaders shared tips they picked up over the years.
“Getting to meet the incoming freshmen and having the opportunity to share my knowledge about KU has been super rewarding,” Kate Jacobs, a senior, said. “I love being able to give back to a community that has given so much to me.”
Friday marked the arrival of KU Hillel’s traditional Welcome Back Shabbat. This year it was a “ShaBBQ” — a Kosher barbecue and pool party on the terrace of HERE Kansas apartments, where Hillel is located. Services were led by KU Hillel’s song leader, Jake Niefeld.
“Going to the Welcome Week events made me feel welcomed and valued within the community I’m creating with other Jewish people at KU,” Alexa Schwartz, a freshman, said. “I have always loved Shabbat, so naturally the ShaBBQ was my favorite event.”
“In just the first week I’ve already made some good friends from Hillel,” freshman Zach Rosenblatt said. “I can’t wait for what else Hillel has in store for this year.”