On October 27, over 200 KU students attended one of 12 Shabbat dinners as part of KU Hillel’s Shabbat Around KU (SAKU) event. The goal of SAKU is to allow Jewish KU students to all attend a Shabbat dinner in the area and celebrate together at someone’s house or apartment. Hillel provided students with challah, candles, grape juice or wine and reimbursed students for their meals in order to make the events possible. Senior Sarah Herman who helped plan and coordinate all the SAKU events said she was interested in helping because it gives students an opportunity they may not always have. “In college we’re busy so it’s exciting to have a reason to all get together for a little to celebrate Shabbat, especially for many of us who don’t get to every week,” Herman said. |
Silverman, along with two other students, prepared a full Shabbat dinner with brisket. Throughout the meal, they taught their sorority sisters about the different Jewish traditions of Shabbat and enjoyed the meal together.
Sophomore Joel Gutovitz also hosted a dinner at his apartment where he and friends cooked multiple entrees and sides together. Gutovitz said the event was one he thinks is important for him and his peers.
“I think it is so important for KU students to have this opportunity because it instills Jewish values of community and Shabbat in many of us,” Gutovitz said. “I think this opportunity will empower many Jewhawks to continue hosting and embracing on Friday nights throughout college and beyond.”
Gutovitz also said that the event allowed him to spend time with friends after a long week, which he is grateful to have.
“School gets stressful, and to have that Shabbat time to let go of everything and be in the moment with some amazing people is a really beautiful thing,” Gutovitz said.