1. Music, Theatre, and Arts Students
This group is composed of students who take classes in music, theatre, and the arts, and students who appreciate these subjects. There were a few different programs designed for this group.
-Jam with the Jews: Composed of musicians and singers. I had it twice month on Thursday before Cafe Hillel, from 6:30-7:30. Mostly, we just jammed with drums, guitar, harmonica, and whatever other instruments people brought. When we didn't create music by total improvisation, I would start singing a Jewish song, and people would just join in.
-On Stage with Hillel: Music and Theatre Series: This program was made possible by an IRA grant from the Jewish Federation Valley Alliance (I suggest applying for grants - a great experience!). It consisted of 4 programs where the students could think about their Judaism artistically, and learn about the life experiences of Jewish performing artists. Programs:
1. Jewish Improv. Playshop with Brian Fox (local Jewish actor)
2. Drum Circle with "Bang a Drum" to build community
3. Mike Reiss, producer of the Simpsons spoke
4. Uncle Eyera (Ira Levin) played an evening of Jewish Soulfolk and described his Jewish and musical journey.
2. Students Interested in the Environment and the Outdoors
I worked with Becca Hailpern at the Shalom Nature Center to plan hikes for students interested in outdoor activities. We hiked in Malibu Creek State Park and in Topanga State Park. By handing out flyers on campus, and publicizing through weekly newsletters, we got new students who wouldn't normally come to Hillel, to hike with us. New friendships were formed, and it was a great engagement tool.
3. Students Interested in Social Action and Community Service
At the beginning of the year, while promoting a regional Social Action All-Day Conference, I went up to students asking them, "Do you want to save the world?" The responses I got humored me:
-"After I'm done with class"
-"Maybe between lunch and geology"
-"I don't have time"
Throughout the year, I did programs on campus to educate students, and give them many opportunities to "save the world" on campus. For instance, we had numerous Social Action Picnics and Israeli Cultural Picnics. At both we brought food and discussed ways to help the environment, volunteer, and talked about Israel. We also provided thank you notes for students to write letters to the fire fighters after the raging wildfires in Southern California took place. On Pierce College alone, after only 2 hours, we had obtained 70 thank you letters from students to fire fighters!
Our Hillel also does a monthly Mitzvah Day. Projects this year consisted of volunteering at the Jewish Home for the Aging, at the Children's Hospital, and at a local food pantry.
4. Women's Group
I had three programs this year to engage all the women I could!
1. Women's Spa Night was at my apartment. We discussed Rosh Chodesh, talked about the importance of inner beauty, and made organic face masks. This program was extremely successful.
2. Women's Movie Night was also at my apartment. We watched "Gefilte Fish," a movie about 3 generations of Jewish women making gefilte fish, and another chick flick. These 2 programs provided an informal, comfortable place for the women of Hillel to get to know each other outside of Hillel, and on more personal levels.
3. Women's Night Out. I took the women out to Canter's Deli in the Jewish part of Los Angeles. Then we went to the Grove, an outdoor shopping center. I was often surprised at how little students get out of the valley and into the city, even though it's just over the hill. This was a good time to get out and have a blast.
5. All Other Students - and fun story
While tabling at both colleges, I was amazed and pleased with the diversity of students. It was often fun for me to people watch while on campus. I considered myself a resource for all students, Jewish, non-Jewish, white, black, yellow, and purple (yes, there were purple students, I think). I was an educator and a Jewish resource. I was a friend and another face on campus. How I spent my time was up to me. One of my most rewarding experiences was when I saw some Christian students making music at Pierce College. They were beat boxing and rapping. They were amazingly talented and I went over to listen. Then they told me to join in, and I started singing. I must have been good because a crowd developed. Imagine: This Jewish white girl attempting to rap with these Christian African American guys... My students were certainly amused, and I had fun bridging many gaps, while making music. It was a priceless moment that I'll always cherish, and I know others will remember.
Some of the projects I did on campus were making stress balls out of balloons and rice, making masks for Purim, having Honey Tasting Days for Rosh Hashana, and Chummus tasting days for fun, flyering with students, having educational picnics in the park, waiting outside of the Jewish Studies Class with Crispy Creme doughnuts (they're Kosher, you know) and flyers, and working on bulletin boards all over.
ENJOY YOUR TIME -- BE CREATIVE -- TAKE RISKS -- RUN THROUGH SPRINKLERS ON HOT DAYS -- SIT IN ON CLASSES -- BRING WATER -- HAND OUT FOOD -- SMILE -- KEEP AN OPEN MIND -- BE YOURSELF -- ENJOY YOUR TIME....
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