Hillel welcomes non-Jewish students to Shabbat service

Posted to On Campus by Catherine Newhouse at 12:47 p.m., Feb. 20, 2010

Mizzou Hillel welcomed students of different faiths to their “Bring a Non-Jewish Friend to Shabbat” service Friday.

The service, led by Lindsay Eanet, Jewish Student Organization member and former Maneater staff member, and Co-religious coordinator Rachel Levin, included explanations for students unfamiliar with Jewish traditions. For example, Eanet explained the candle blessing as the lighting of two candles to remember and observe Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.

“People of all faith backgrounds are welcome at Hillel anytime,” Eanet said during the service. “We wanted to do something special to invite people from the MU community to see what it is we do here.”

Shabbat, the Hebrew word for Sabbath, commemorates the Hebrews’ freedom from slavery in Egypt and the day God rested after creating the Earth. Approximately 25 people attended Friday’s service.

“I think it’s important for students to have the opportunity to share a part of themselves that they don’t normally get to share with other students,” Levin said.

Eanet said she came up with this idea after talking to a non-Jewish friend who had enjoyed a local Shabbat service. She said people inevitably learn from experiencing different cultural environments.

“I’d challenge and encourage members of Hillel to complete the exchange and experience other faiths as well,” Eanet said during the service.

Hillel holds weekly services Fridays at 6 p.m., followed by a free kosher dinner.

Next week, JSO will celebrate Purim by making Purim gift baskets Thursday and hamantaschen, or filled pastries, Friday, according to their online calendar. Purim commemorates the failure of Haman’s plan to desttroy the Jewish people in Persia, thanks to Queen Esther.

“(Traditionally) Purim is the gift-giving holiday, not Hanukkah, in Judaism,” Levin said.