Campus Update: Washington University

By Josh Remba

Washington University in St Louis clearly likes things with long names. So, "Hang out at Hillel Shabbat sponsored by KOACH" already had something going for it. And of course, when the time came to write this article, the Vice President of the KOACH Campus Enrichment Grant Committee was put in charge. But I digress.

KOACH Shabbat was definitely a huge hit at WashU, a favorite memory for many (myself included). So much was going on that it was hard to keep up, and yet the day was serene and satisfying as Shabbat should be. Friday night dinner was delicious, and a melodious and snack-filled oneg followed. After Conservative services on Saturday morning, we had one of our larger turnouts to Shabbat lunch, topping the usual forty for an average community lunch. For the first time all year, we had a warm lunch: tasty schnitzel from the local kosher deli. After lunch, almost two-thirds of the students stayed in the building to hang-out and play games. We had been hooked on the game "Settlers of Catan" for a while, but usually only four people could play at a time, leaving many to watch and wait in envy. With the new set and expansion pack purchased with funds from the KOACH grant, more people could play. We had two games of "Settlers" going, "Bananagrams" (another campus favorite, purchased for the community through the KOACH grant), card games, and of course casual shmoozers all enjoying each others' company all afternoon.

Later in the afternoon, it was time for Seudah Shlishit; many of the people who had come to lunch stayed around, choosing to stay at Hillel even over taking the highly coveted Shabbat nap. We enjoyed noshing on vegetables and crackers with hummus, among other good-eats, and had a nice song session regretting the eventual transition from Shabbat to the week. Finally, as Shabbat faded with the light of the Havdalah candle, Shabbat came to a close.

Not only was it one of the largest attended Shabbatot, but students came from all over to join the Shabbat lunch community, a testament to the vibrant pluralistic Jewish community at WashU. Not only those who prayed at the Conservative Minyan, but students who taught at Hebrew school, attended Bais Abe (a local Orthodox shul), and those who prefer a more restful day of rest all ate together as a community. While we may not be able to always have all-out KOACH lunches and Shabbatot, the games will bring people around them for years to come. Nonetheless, for this week, we were able to with the help of KOACH allow more people to enjoy Shabbat while bringing the community a little closer together.

[Posted 5/4/11]