The beginning of 2021 – those days before vaccinations – were difficult and our students engaged Hillel mostly virtually. By this winter we can tell a very different story. After only 60% of the academic year we have already engaged more than 400 students, an all-time record! While the pandemic is still here, all our students are vaccinated. We are back to in-person programming (with all of the necessary precautions of course). Our students crave the programs and human interaction Hillel provides: they thirst for community and connection. Maybe this can explain our engagement numbers, together with our professional staff hard work. While celebrating our successes, we recommit to engaging many more students by the end of this academic year.
One of our big Shabbatot this year happened last February. Mushu, our DU Hillel pup, recently turned almost two, or 13 in dog years. A good enough reason to through a huge Bark Mitzva party for him. On February’s last Shabbat more than 80 (!) DU Hillel students came to celebrate with Mushu. They all had a beautiful Kabalat Shabbat services and a delicious Shabbat dinner that quickly turned into a huge party to celebrate Mushu and Jewish life on campus. Aaron Butwinick, our amazing student and Media intern took some great pictures and videos throughout the evening. Mazal Tov Mushu!
We celebrate Shabbat every week and our student community keep growing. If you are a parent, a community member, a Hillel supporter or advocate we would love to have you for Shabbat in one of our houses. Email us at: noam@hillelcolorado.org and we will coordinate your visit.
