Welcome Back Shabbat

KU Hillel kicked off the semester with a virtual Welcome Back Shabbat last Friday night. 

In preparation for the event, KU Hillel staff spent the day on campus to pass out Shabbat kits for students. The kits included electric tea lights, grape juice and a challah from Challah by Hannah, homemade by KU Hillel alumna, Hannah Schifman. 

Every student who logged on to the Zoom service got personally welcomed by KU Hillel Assistant Director Ira Kirschner. Rabbi Neal Schuster then gave a sermon about Parashat Yitro, the Torah portion for that week that contains the Ten Commandments. Rabbi Neal then led the prayers for the candles, the grape juice and the challah.

During the event, students were treated to a yummy Shabbat dinner of their choice via DoorDash delivery. 

“It was so great to bring together the KU Hillel community after a long winter break,” said Ally Fabes, KU Hillel Engagement Associate, on her first Welcome Back Shabbat. “I loved getting to see so many familiar faces and new ones, too!”

Many students chose to stay on Zoom while waiting for their dinner to arrive, chatting about their classes and meeting new people. We are looking forward to many more Shabbats together this semester, and as the weather warms up, even outdoors!

--Sam Kricsfeld, KU Hillel intern