Campus Update: Ohio State University

By David Kaplan
KOACH Intern

Working this past year as the KOACH intern at Ohio State University, I have learned the importance of creating a Conservative Jewish community. One of our most successful programs this year was ‘PB and Jam,’ where we paired up with other organizations at our school to make more than 3,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the local homeless shelters. By getting out to the Ohio State community, as well as the Jewish community, we were able to effectively engage the student population in a KOACH event. Another one of our wonderful programs was "a little Kiddush," where Michelle Samuels came in from Chicago and taught us the history and meaning of Kiddush, followed by the creating of our own Kiddush sets. These and many more programs helped to build the Conservative Jewish community on campus. There is one long standing program instituted this year which has done more to build the idea of community than any other: Two Fridays each month, our KOACH sponsors zemirot (singing) after dinner at Hillel. We have about 15 to 20 people for a half hour after dinner, and a much more relaxed environment is formed. People not only participate in a program, but also get to know each other better. I am a personal fan of singing on Friday nights, and by bringing this passion to our campus, we have created a much stronger community, as well as a group of friends. I can only hope that everyone creates such wonderful experiences on their campuses for the Conservative Jewish community.

Campus Update: University of Florida

By Shaina Akrish
KOACH Intern

Love to travel, but can’t seem to afford it? Well, the University of Florida’s KOACH has solved the problem. We have brought aspects of different countries around the world to students. Have you ever wondered where the 14 million Jews in the world live? Our "Jews Around the World" series picks individual countries or areas of the world in which Jews reside and invites students to learn about the Jewish culture and local atmosphere, including authentic food, music and activities. During fall and spring semesters, we have embarked on journeys to Hawaii, Japan, England, South Africa and Latin America. We will conclude the year by visiting the Former Soviet Union and France. Every event has taught interested students a variety of talents, such as hula dancing taught by a Hawaiian Jew, origami, beading taught by a South African Jew and salsa dancing.

At UF, KOACH knows that any successful program must include or revolve around food. So in the hungry, poor college students’ best interests, we have devised many a program so that our supporters do not go hungry. Every semester we have at least one ice cream and game night that includes anything you could ever want to put in your ice cream but were never allowed to as a child: syrups, chocolate chips, peanut butter, 10 cherries on top … we never fail to please the crowd. Our games are not tame either. Pulling out all the stops, UF KOACH had Guitar Hero going on one TV with Harry Potter Scene It? on another while Scrabble, Apples to Apples Jewish version and the ever-popular game of Settlers of Catan are happening on surrounding tables. We have also held midnight breakfasts during exam week with make-your-own pancakes, eggs and latkes. Other yummy events have been "Sumo and Sushi in the Sukkah" with make-your-own sushi and candy sushi as well as sumo wrestling. In the spirit of the holiday, we also made edible sukkahs out of graham crackers, icing, mint leaves and various candies.

KOACH Shabbat was a lot of fun at UF this year as well. Our Hillel rabbi’s brother came down as our visiting rabbinical student (from The Jewish Theological Seminary). After learning about Hekhsher Tzedek and Jewish views on war ethics, we closed Shabbat with havdalah and a movie and game night. UF KOACH regularly holds a KOACH Shabbat once a month with hallah baking on Thursdays, services on Friday and Saturday, and an interesting discussion and oneg Friday night As another interesting twist this year, UF KOACH went on a camping trip over Veteran’s Day weekend with Florida State University KOACH. Putting aside our sporting differences, we ate, talked and camped out. Then, in February, we met again at UF for a regional shabbaton. As we finish our fun-filled year with UF KOACH, we seek to reach out to the Conservative and other Jewish students here at the University of Florida for yet another year.

[Ed. Note: for more on the Conservative Movement’s Heksher Tzedek initiative, click here]

[Posted 4/6/08]