UCSB, Senior HSJCSC Fellow
2003-2004 home page
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These were small gatherings late at night in the residence halls during the Week of Welcome. You�ll find that it�s impossible to schedule these well in advance without competing against programming sponsored by RHA. But, we had several of these. One in San Raf, the other in San Nic, and the final one in FT. It was a great way for people to meet other Jewish students who lived in their residence hall, while grabbing some free nosh. Very low-key; there were probably about 25 students at each one, with about 10 at the one in FT.
Jess, Adie, Christina, Ruben, Jason
This was a program that replaced our weekend freshmen retreat. It was mean to give freshmen time to hang out together and bond a bit. Well, it sort of worked. It was my first week with the students around, and I quickly learned how much they don�t like to walk! We all met at Hillel, then walked together to the Cliff House (a retreat house on the ocean, owned by the campus) - about a half hour walk! At the Cliff House, we hung out a bit, introduced ourselves and did some talking about our Jewish past. Then I taught an Israeli couple�s dance, then we ate some Freeb!rds (Mexican cuisine food of IV). Here�s a tip: Freebirds food (minus the meat) is vegetarian. Both their rice and their refried beans are completely vegan. We hung out some more by breaking into groups, and then went back home. The entire program was about 2.5-3 hours in length. I had some upperclassmen help lead the discussions and help set-up and clean-up and stuff.
High Holiday Survival Kits:
These were bags of goodies personally delivered to the freshmen in their residence hall. In this one, I include a Happy New Year blowhorn, some Honey-Nut Cheerios, apple oatmeal, and a wet-nap to wash away their sins! I must admit, they were pretty clever and the good thing is that this is the only one that I had to deliver by myself, since I got members of the freshmen council to help me with the others!
�Sushi & Sukkah�:
This was a program that I did in two residence halls on campus, one during lunch and the other during dinner. The goal was to provide a fun way for first year students to meet each other in their residence hall and learn how to roll sushi and learn/talk about the holiday of Sukkot. The evening one in San Miguel was successful and filled with engagement students who actually were interested in learning about the holiday! The lunchtime program in FT was a disaster-only one Jewish student attended, but it was a lesson learned: no daytime programming in the residence halls!
Freshmen Farmers� Market Trip:
In the spirit of Sukkot, I ran a trip to the Goleta Farmers� market in hopes to create awareness about Sukkot as a harvest holiday and have a small group bond with me in the car! Only three first year students came with me, but it was the perfect size bunch and they were able to bond in the car while I played Jewish music! Now I see these students hang out all the time!
�Bagels, Cream Cheese & Jews�
This was a small gathering that I planned with members of the Jewish Freshmen Council who live in Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz. Although it did capture Jewish students who we don�t normally see at Hillel, I think we learned that programming on Sunday mornings is not something we should repeat. About 12 students came.
�Latke Luau�
I worked with students who lived in Tropicana Gardens to plan this one, that I eventually co-sponsored with an RA. Had latkes and dreidels and baked goods, and about 25 people stopped by. It was great to see students that I never met show up and help set up for the program!
�Chanukah Chill�
I worked with students in San Nic and San Miguel to plan this one. It was such a hit! It was a coffee and donut study-break. I think most of the Jews in San Nic and San Miguel showed up, and all were very thankful that we were providing them with this nice treat. About 35 people came.
�Dreidels & Donuts�
I worked with students who live in San Raf and Manzanita to plan this one. It was a hit too! It was basically the same thing as the Chanukah Chill, but we also gave a mini-lesson on the dreidel (what it means and how to play). I met several new Jewish students, and actually had Jewish (!) conversations with them-how cool! About 35 students attended.
�Chanukah Survival Kits�
I ordered some fun Chanukah stuff and first year students helped me put them in the bags and even deliver 95% of them to first year students in their residence halls! I included gelt, a dreidel, candy, and a screen-printed UCSB Hillel keychain flashlight! Since there are no members on the Freshmen Council who live in Anacapa, I called an engagement student and asked if she would be willing to help me deliver them! She said yes, then we when out for coffee afterwards, and has expressed that she wants to become more involved with Hillel next quarter.
�FT Bagel Break with the Jews�
I think this one would have been more successful if we had it as a late-night study break. About 12 people showed up, but students from FT that I planned it with brought their friends and I was able to meet Jewish students that I never met! I even taught them how to play dreidel!
For programs from January through June, click here.