Campus Update: Northwestern University

Benjamin Goldberg

While there has long been a strong and active presence of Conservative Jews at Northwestern University, this year marks the start of KOACH as a formal student group. We have continued our weekly Shabbat services, drawing 15-30 people each Friday evening, followed by a free Hillel communal dinner. Our services feature spirited singing and student-written divrei Torah.

But this year, I as the KOACH intern, with the help of many people, have tried to add a new element to the existing programming array at Northwestern Hillel: serious Jewish learning and discussion for those with committed Jewish backgrounds. To that end, we have hosted an incredible group of guest speakers this year, including Aryeh Bernstein, from Yeshivat Hadar; Howie Tilman, Northwestern alum and Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies student; Rabbi Steven Wernick, the new CEO of United Synagogue (and my former rabbi); Rabbi Mordy Schwartz, the admissions director for the Jewish Theological Seminary Rabbinical School and Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy, of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Together, we've learned about tzedakah allocation, human dignity, the Conservative Movement, gay rabbis and the nature of rabbinic law.

Going forward, I hope to offer programming concerning Israel and social justice. Specifically, I hope to do a program about ethical consumption and the Conservative Movement's new Magen Tzedek initiative, a service project, and a program on the place of Israeli-Arabs in Israeli society. Overall, I'm proud of what we've done so far this year and am looking forward to great Winter and Spring Quarters.

[Posted 1/15/10]