Second week on the breezeway I was tabling and jolly April smiling said you're picture is on the website. It is so nice to meet you how do I get involved. We hit it off and she comes to every event.
During Blue and white day on campus I met Melissa a week later I went up to her on the breezeway and invited her to join me at the mall. She was shocked I remembered her name and because of it she met me. The power of remembering a name or detail about a student goes a long way.
At yoga I met Tammy a swing dance instructor and we talked about her interest in a birthright trip. Everywhere you go being friendly and approachable makes meeting people in their everyday activities worthwhile.
I learned about Amy's love for youth group work back home in Maryland and I recently met a conservative synagogue youth group director while in the hospital delivering Rosh Hashana cards as a mitzvah project. I connected the two together and helped Amy land a job.
I stopped someone on campus commenting about his shirt and we ended up discussing assimilations big effect on American Jewry. We spoke about the loss of spirituality in college students these days and how people can identify with Judaism. Through our conversation instigated J caf� an every other week learning session.
During Up All Night Sukkah party I met a gentleman who was intrigued by learning ways of converting to Judaism. We connected over taboo and by the end of the game I had talked him into speaking with the rabbi and coming to my Hooked on Hebrew basic reading program.
After multiple times of catching Molly for a quick hello, I saw her in the cafeteria and sat down to hear about her chaotic music major schedule. By the end of our lunch chat she had decided to come to Shabbat that week. Shabbat turned into her becoming community service co-chair on Hillel executive board for next year.
Jamba Juice Jazz created a buzz for smoothies and I hit it off with the employee there who happens to be a Jewish FAU student and in a sorority. She linked me to some of her sorority sisters. It is good to understand that many students work in the area and you can engage practically everywhere.
I sent out an email that said have I met you if not then I need to join me to decorate Rosh Hashana cards in the UC. Sure enough, Barbara a new student said she received the email wanted to make some friends and "had not met me" and loves helping the community. Learn that it can be all about phrasing that will capture the attention of a new student.
Giving out Rosh Hashana cards at the hospital I met an FAU student whose appendix was being removed along with his girlfriend a youth director for the local synagogue. The connection helped me get involved with planning a special high school/ college student Shabbat.