Hillels of Memphis

It’s finally time to polish up on your putt-putt skills for Hillels of Memphis 15th Annual Yiddishe Cup Mini- Golf Tournament!  A fixture on the Memphis Jewish calendar for over a decade, the fun, community-wide event for Memphians of all ages returns in-person on Sunday, April 23rd at 2 PM at Golf & Games.

The mini-golf format of the tournament makes this event accessible to people of all ages and all levels of golf experience – which emulates the role Hillel plays on campus as an inclusive and inviting community. “Hillel at Rhodes has allowed me to feel and learn about my Jewish identity and has enabled it to flourish. Through Rhodes Hillel, I have been given numerous opportunities to experiment with my role in my community, my culture, and my religion allowing me to grow as a young Jewish adult” said student President of Rhodes College Hillel, Samuel Cross.

Student President of University of Memphis Hillel, Aaron Bardos, adds: “Supporting and being in Hillel is amazing! Every event is fun, the food is great, and most importantly the people and conversations are amazing. I found that the Yiddishe Cup last year was an amazing way to bring people together around our common love of Hillel.”

At Yiddishe Cup, both mini-golf devotees and amateurs will have their turn on the green while competing for the highly coveted first-place finish. Anyone can form a team of four for $36 and sponsorship opportunities begin at $118. Teams will have the opportunity to win special prizes for a hole-in-one and other categories.

“Year after year, Yiddishe Cup has served as the primary fundraiser for Hillels of Memphis, a program of Memphis Jewish Federation,” said Sophie Bloch, the Director of Hillels of Memphis. “Funds raised from Yiddishe Cup directly support vital and impactful programming like Shabbat and holiday celebrations, Israel programming and interfaith events at University of Memphis and Rhodes College. Without this critical funding, many of Hillel’s programs could no longer happen. Last year we raised $18k which is the largest amount to date, and I’m confident that we can meet – if not exceed – that number this year!”

Hillels of Memphis boasts an active and engaged lay advisory council whose members appreciate the significance of Hillel on college campus. “Hillel is so important because it provides young people with a place to share, learn, and grow as their Jewish identity continues to develop during the formative years of the college experience,” said Hal Fogelman, co-chair of University of Memphis’ Hillel Advisory Council. “The Yiddishe Cup event is a lot of fun, and it’s always great to see young people come together, develop friendships, and participate in various Jewish celebrations and activities.” This year’s event is co-chaired by Audrey Siskind and Bradley Karasik, both of whom are champions of the Hillel cause and parents of children who have been involved at Hillel at their respective schools.

For Rhodes College and University of Memphis students, Hillels of Memphis serves as a Jewish home away from home. All proceeds from the event benefit students on both campuses through educational programming, social events, Shabbat meals and communal programming and events throughout the year. While 85% of the budget of Hillels of Memphis is funded through a generous endowment, the remaining 15% comes primarily from funds raised through Yiddishe Cup. The event will take place rain or shine with indoor activities at the facility, located at 5484 Summer Avenue, available. Registration, sponsorships, and detailed information about the event may be found at www.hillelsofmemphis.org/yiddishecup. You may also contact Hillels of Memphis Director Sophie Bloch at 901.452.2453 or email sophiebloch@hillelsofmemphis.org.

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Jewish Community Fellow Mandy Cassius is pictured on Rhodes College’s campus during her freshman year.

Memphis Jewish Federation is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Rhodes Jewish Community Fellowship for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Once again, Rhodes College is making five renewable $10,000 fellowships available to first-year Rhodes students who participated in Jewish life in their home communities. Fellowship awardees are expected to become active in Jewish life at Rhodes, including active involvement with the Rhodes Hillel chapter.

“I’m looking forward to meeting peers and gaining new experiences while participating in the Jewish Community Fellowship and Hillels of Memphis,” said Mandy Cassius, a Rhodes College freshman and current Jewish Community Fellowship participant. “I’ve heard a lot of great things from people who’ve been involved in these programs previously, and I’m looking forward to getting into them too. I’m from Memphis and the fact that Rhodes already feels like my extended family excites me the most. I can’t wait to make Rhodes a part of my home for the next few years!” 

Eligible students must apply for admission to Rhodes for the Fall of 2023 semester, be admitted, and choose to enroll at Rhodes. Fellowship applications will be reviewed by Memphis Jewish Federation and Federation will recommend applicants to Rhodes. A complete application includes a resume of current participation in Jewish life and a 500-word essay. The deadline to apply for the fellowship is December 1, 2022.

Learn more and apply here.

“We are thrilled with our ongoing partnership with Rhodes College, including the support given to the Rhodes Hillel chapter led by Hillels of Memphis Director Sophie Bloch and the annual Jewish Community Fellowship,” said Federation’s Chief Impact Officer & Executive Vice President Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein. “The broader Rhodes College community embraces Jewish life on campus and is always seeking ways to strengthen it.”

The first Rhodes Jewish Community Fellow began in 2016 and many more have followed, enjoying the gorgeous campus, wonderful and challenging education, and warm and vibrant Jewish life on campus.

The Rhodes College chapter of Hillel was launched in 2017, building on the previous work of the Jewish Student Union. Rhodes Hillel is operated by a student board in cooperation with Hillels of Memphis Director, Sophie Bloch and a lay-led Advisory Council chaired by Wendy Rotter. Rhodes Hillel focuses on cultural, religious, educational, and social programming and is open to all students regardless of background. Rhodes Hillel is managed by Memphis Jewish Federation and endowed through the generosity of an anonymous donor.

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Season 4 of the Hillels of Memphis On One Foot: Jewish Faculty Lecture Series will kick off on Friday, September 9, and features a new group of Jewish academics from Rhodes College and the University of Memphis. Lectures this season will be featured every second or third Friday of the month, starting with Professor Naomi Eichorn, Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Memphis. Hillels of Memphis is a program of Memphis Jewish Federation, which is operated by Jewish Community Partners.

“This initiative was created during COVID when there were little to no in-person events happening in the Memphis Jewish community,” said Sophie Bloch, Director of Hillels of Memphis. “It was also created when we were trying to leverage virtual programming to engage with the community. Now in its fourth season, we’ve continued the online series because of the great feedback we’ve gotten. With the speakers that we have lined up for this series, I’m sure everyone will leave feeling not only more informed on interesting topics, but also more connected to the Memphis Jewish community and to Hillels of Memphis.”

Season 4’s topics are as diverse as the lecturers, whose expertise in speech and language pathology, law and education reform, information technology, disability studies in the Middle East, and more will bring the episodes to life. Viewers can look forward to hearing from Jewish professors exploring topics related to current events and issues affecting our daily lives.

“I’m looking forward to participating in the On One Foot Jewish Faculty Series this Friday and sharing ideas related to my research and teaching interests with the Zoom audience,” said Professor Naomi Eichorn, Season 4’s first lecturer and Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Memphis. “As we approach the High Holy Days and introspect about our personal and communal goals and values, it feels especially meaningful to connect with other students, faculty, and community members in learning and growth. Kudos to Sophie Bloch and Hillels of Memphis for coordinating this opportunity!”

Each hour-long lecture starts at noon, with time included for group discussion. The series is designed for any community member interested in learning and is open to everyone.

“The Faculty Lecture Series is a rare Hillel program that isn’t specifically student-focused. We intentionally created it as a community-focused program for anyone with a student’s curiosity,” said Sophie. “Any adult community member will find the topics intellectually stimulating, and the sessions also give students the opportunity to learn from professors outside of their major or department, and possibly outside of their school as well.”

“On One Foot is a wonderful program because involvement is very important in any Hillel,” said Harry Samuels, a past President of Memphis Jewish Federation who was instrumental in establishing the first Memphis Hillel as a student at then Memphis State University, and who has remained involved with the program for more than 60 years. “It’s a wonderful thing that she’s done because involvement is very important in any Hillel. When you get the Jewish professors involved, it really means something to the students, aside from the benefit of the lectures themselves.”

The sessions are open to the public, but viewers must register in advance. Click here to learn more and register. The lectures will be recorded and posted on the same webpage. Viewers can catch up with the first three seasons now and watch upcoming lectures the week after their live debut.

“I’m hoping that viewers leave with a sense of connection to the Jewish academic talent at our local institutions, and a renewed perspective of how our religion ties into more topics than we may realize,” said Sophie.

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The Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity chapter at the University of Memphis was recently recognized at their annual International Convention in recognition of their Jewish programming with Hillels of Memphis and Memphis Jewish Federation.

While it should be no surprise that a Memphis chapter was internationally recognized for its excellence, it’s worth noting that none of the men currently within the Gamma Mu ZBT chapter are Jewish. Instead, they are inspired by their chapter’s historical traditions and strive to maintain strong connections with their Chapter alumni and the local Jewish community.

Hillels of Memphis has long had a partnership with ZBT centered around various Jewish programs and events each year. Recent highlights include an annual Hamantaschen Bake during Purim, Challah Bake, and Interfaith Passover Seder. Hillels of Memphis is a program of Memphis Jewish Federation and is funded by donors’ gifts to the Annual Community Campaign.

Last year, Hillels of Memphis piloted a new partnership program in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. At this inaugural event, students learned about the historical roots of antisemitism, contemporary instances of antisemitism on college campuses, and the importance of non-Jewish allies in advocating for the safety and support of Jewish students today.

ZBT members also watched the “Shine a Light on Antisemitism” videos produced by Memphis Jewish Federation last Hanukkah, which helped the students understand ways members of the local Jewish community have experienced and confronted antisemitism. Each person at the commemoration read aloud the name of six Jews who perished in the Holocaust and held a 6-minute moment of silence to honor the lives who were lost in this atrocity.

“We enjoy learning about our fraternity’s Jewish heritage,” said Joseph Duncan, Jr., a Gamma Mu ZBT chapter member. “If it wasn’t for the group of Jewish men who founded this fraternity, I couldn’t have met this group of people who have become my best friends. Learning about our Jewish heritage is not only interesting, but it also brings us together as brothers.”

“Since I have become the Director of Hillels of Memphis, Hillel and ZBT have worked together at least once a semester. However, I know that we have always had a close connection. We are incredibly proud of the dedication ZBT has shown to maintaining authentic connections to its Jewish roots as an organization,” said Sophie Bloch, Director of Hillels of Memphis. “It’s more important than ever for the Jewish community to have non-Jewish allies combatting antisemitism alongside us, and the only way we can do that is by sharing information, talking about it, and educating each other on its prevalence.”

During the 2022 International Awards section of the convention, the University of Memphis’ Gamma Mu Chapter earned several of ZBT’s top awards and was among the finalists for the Brummer Cup, an award designated for the most outstanding chapter throughout Zeta Beta Tau. The chapter ultimately took home three awards for Excellence in Alumni Outreach & Programming, Outstanding Heritage Programming, and Risk Management. The chapter was also the runner-up for the Excellence in Chapter Programming and Outstanding Intramural Sports Participation and Performance awards.

“The Gamma Mu Chapter knows the meaning of Brotherhood for a Lifetime,” ZBT Chief Executive Officer Libby Anderson said. “Brothers worked very hard to succeed in the Standards of Excellence program this year, and the results are clear.”

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Former Hillel students are pictured enjoying Yiddishe Cup together in-person.

It’s finally time to polish up your putt-putt skills for Hillels of Memphis’ 14th Annual Yiddishe Cup Mini-Golf Tournament! A fixture on the Memphis Jewish calendar for over a decade, the fun, community-wide event for Memphians of all ages returns in-person on Sunday, April 10 at 2 P.M. at Golf & Games.

After the pandemic forced the cancellation of the tournament in 2020 and transitioned Yiddishe Cup into an online trivia contest in 2021, everyone is excited about returning to the in-person mini-golf format. “I originally got involved with Hillels of Memphis because I wanted to be a part of a community that I knew would welcome me, and I also desired close bonds with good people – both of which are hard to come by during a pandemic. Hillel surpassed all my expectations and I try and get involved whenever I can,” said student President of University of Memphis’ Hillel, Aaron Bardos. “Supporting and being in Hillel is awesome! Every event is fun and the food is great. Most importantly, the people and conversations are amazing. I found that the Yiddishe Cup last year was very fun, and I think creating more online activities like that in the future is a great idea, but the in-person Cup is unbeatable. In-person interactions (and mini-golf) are just so important to me, and I am glad to see it returning.”

At Yiddishe Cup, both mini-golf devotees and amateurs will have their turn on the green while competing for the highly coveted first-place finish. Anyone can form a team of four for $36, and sponsorship opportunities begin at $118. Teams will have the opportunity to win special prizes for a hole-in-one and other categories.

“Year after year, Yiddishe Cup has served as the primary fundraiser for Hillels of Memphis,” said Sophie Bloch, the Director of Hillels of Memphis. “Funds raised from Yiddishe Cup directly support vital and impactful programming like Shabbat and holiday celebrations, Israel programming and interfaith events at University of Memphis and Rhodes College. Without this critical funding, many of Hillel’s programs could no longer happen. Last year, we raised $18,000 which is the largest amount to date, and I’m confident that we can meet – if not exceed – that number this year!”

Hillels of Memphis boasts an active and engaged lay advisory council, whose members appreciate the significance of Hillel on college campus. “Hillel is so important because it provides young people with a place to share, learn, and grow as their Jewish identity continues to develop during the formative years of the college experience,” said Hal Fogelman, co-chair of University of Memphis’ Hillel Advisory Council. “The Yiddishe Cup event is a lot of fun, and it’s always great to see young people come together, develop friendships, and participate in various Jewish celebrations and activities.”

For Rhodes and University of Memphis students, Hillels of Memphis serves as a Jewish home away from home. All proceeds from the event benefit students on both campuses through educational programming, social events, Shabbat meals, communal programming, and events throughout the year. While 85% of the budget of Hillels of Memphis is funded through a generous endowment, the remaining 15% comes primarily from funds raised through Yiddishe Cup.

The event will take place rain or shine with indoor activities at the facility, located at 5484 Summer Avenue. Masks will be required should rain necessitate moving indoors. Registration, sponsorships, and detailed information about the event may be found at hillelsofmemphis.org/yiddishecup. You may also contact Hillels of Memphis Director Sophie Bloch at (901)-452-2453 or email sophiebloch@hillelsofmemphis.org.

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For years, the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at University of Memphis has partnered with Hillels of Memphis to mark International Holocaust Remembrance day by bringing meaningful educational programing into the frat house. This year ZBT tapped Hillel Director Sophie Bloch to curate a program for a group of fifteen members and their friends.

Though recognized nationally as the very first Jewish collegiate social fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT)’s local chapter on the University of Memphis campus hasn’t had a Jewish member for years. Despite this, the young men of ZBT strive to intentionally maintain connections to Jewish traditions and to Jewish Memphis through a key on-campus ally- Hillels of Memphis, a program of Memphis Jewish Federation.

For the last several years, ZBT has partnered with Hillels of Memphis to mark International Holocaust Remembrance day by bringing meaningful educational programing into the frat house. This year Joseph Duncan, Jr, the chapter’s Programming Director and a second-semester sophomore, tapped Hillels of Memphis Director Sophie Bloch to reflect on antisemitism and curate video content to screen for a group of fifteen ZBT members and their friends in late January.

“We really enjoy learning about our fraternity’s Jewish heritage,” said Joseph. “If it wasn’t for the group of Jewish men who founded this fraternity, I couldn’t have met this group of people who have become my best friends. Learning about our Jewish heritage is not only interesting, but also brings us together as brothers.”

“Since I have become the Director of Hillels in Memphis, Hillel and ZBT have worked together at least once a semester. However, I know that we have always had a close connection,” said Sophie. “It’s more important than ever for the Jewish community to have non-Jewish allies combatting antisemitism alongside us, and the only way we can do that is by sharing information, talking about it, and educating each other on its prevalence.”

ZBT’s Holocaust Remembrance day programming began with a conversation about the insidious role that centuries of European antisemitism had on driving the horrific inhumanity of the Holocaust. Sophie brought the discussion closer to home with two videos about antisemitism awareness, one produced by Hillel International as a part of Hillel’s new initiative to combat antisemitism on college campuses, and the other an entry in Memphis Jewish Federation’s Shine A Light on Antisemitism series, which debuted during Hanukkah. The full series can be found at jcpmemphis.org/antisemitism.

After finishing the videos, the students had the opportunity to cluster together in smaller break-out groups to share points of view and reflect on what they learned, closing on a solemn and reverential note, with audience members invited to read the names of six Holocaust victims, followed by six minutes of silence in honor of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

“Reading the names of Holocaust victims and learning more about their personal backgrounds was the most impactful moment from the program for me,” said Joseph. “You hear that there are six million Jewish people who lost their lives, but when you put names and sometimes even faces to it, it just has that much more of an impact.”

“The more we talk about antisemitism, bring light to it, and tell people it isn’t right, the more positive change can be made. It is going to take a lot of correction, and even then, some people will still not agree with us. With constant, deliberate action, we can work towards fixing that,” said Joseph.

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The week of Hanukkah saw Memphis Jewish Federation’s Shine A Light on Antisemitism initiative soar through digital channels throughout the greater Memphis community.

After securing the support of all Memphis Jewish schools, agencies, congregations and youth groups and receiving a grant from Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) to help our community join the national initiative, a lay committee consisting of Janis Finan, Cindy Finestone, Margo Gruen, Jill Notowich, Charna Schubert, and Rachel Shankman brainstormed ways to catalyze conversations across a broad spectrum of communities so that people will better understand what constitutes antisemitism, what contributes to its rise, and take steps to respond.

Award-winning video production company Running Pony was engaged to produce eight videos of Memphians sharing their personal stories– one for each night of Hanukkah – to be widely disseminated via email and social media platforms with discussion questions and a link to action items and resources. The powerful videos captured a wide range of experiences including elementary school hateful rhetoric and bullying, high school teens suffering through antisemitic stereotypes and the desecration of religious objects, college students encountering swastikas and Israel-based hate, and a second-generation Holocaust survivor enduring grotesque Holocaust comparisons. The videos also showcased those who have stood up to hate including alums of Facing History & Ourselves – both a national and local partner – and the transformation of a local neo-Nazi and Ku Klux Klan leader into a peace and human rights activist. 

The broader Memphis community stepped up in solidarity with the Jewish community. Memphis University School (MUS) invited Federation to present on antisemitism and the Shine A Light campaign during their weekly Wednesday chapel, a forum that the entire school attends. Federation board member and local attorney Jason Goldstein immediately and graciously agreed to represent Federation.

“I was honored to act as Federation’s representative,” said Jason. “Being an MUS alumnus, it was a full circle moment for me for return to the school, and it was extra special to be able to talk about such a serious and important topic as antisemitism. Many in the administration and faculty made a point to come over to me afterwards and express their solidarity with the Memphis Jewish community against antisemitism. I learned about MUS’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and how the Shine A Light campaign aligns with its mission. Most importantly, I got feedback from students that the message really resonated with them and that was the whole objective of the campaign.”

Other schools in the broader Memphis community who participated in Shine A Light include Lausanne Collegiate School which held a Shine A Light program at Convocation, Christian Brothers High School’s showing of a Shine A Light video, and St. Mary’s Episcopal School, which posted a solidarity message along with a shout out to its alums, Emma Mansberg and Michele Becton, who together participated in one of the videos.

In the Jewish community, congregations, schools, youth groups and agencies held programs, posted on social media and e-newsletters, and shared the videos. Over 40 teens at Memphis’ BBYO Aleph Regional event participated in Shine A Light as well, through watching community member Rayna Exelbierd’s video on Israel-based campus hate and discussing strategies to overcome antisemitism.

“We partnered with Federation on the Shine A Light initiative because I think it’s very important for our teens in Memphis to hear about the antisemitism happening all around them,” said Zoe Goldberg, BBYO’s Delta Regional Director. “Our high school seniors need to hear the example Rayna gave. It is vital that we teach our teens, the future leaders in our community, about these hateful acts and how to react and stand up for themselves. Getting involved with their college Hillel, Chabad, or other Israel groups on campus can help support them when acts of antisemitism occur. Our teens had a great discussion around this topic, one we will continue to have.”

University of Memphis’ ZBT fraternity students gathered with Hillels of Memphis students at a Hillel-ZBT Hanukkah party (below), where another of the Shine A Light videos was shown and discussed, this one examining antisemitic graffiti that shocked students on the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) campus in 2018 and 2019, as well as Federation’s work with UTK administrators to firmly address the issue.

“The Shine A Light on Antisemitism project exposes antisemitism through the individual lenses of Jewish people. It tells of their livid experiences with the many faces of antisemitism, from unfortunately common prejudices to outright violence against Jewish people and their faith,” said ZBT fraternity member Tristan Atkins. “After watching the video and discussing with my peers, I have a greater understanding of the adversity faced against Jewish people, and I feel more equipped to help my Jewish friends respond to antisemitism that they may face.”

Throughout this community-wide initiative, Memphians were encouraged to join a three-pronged digital antisemitism awareness campaign consisting of signing a public statement of solidarity with the Memphis Jewish community, posting social media messages with the hashtag #MemphisShinesaLightonAntisemitism, and liking, commenting, and/or sharing the eight potent videos. According to social media analytics, the videos have been viewed and shared hundreds of times.

Other video presenters not previously mentioned include Ethan Cooper, Isaac and Jeff Cowens, TM Garret, Rabbi Yonason Gersten, Dorothy Goldwin, Dr. Gordon Gruen, Cody Hunter, Jaime Marquis, and Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl. 

Currently, over 50 local organizations and companies and many more individuals, including Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, have signed onto Federation’s solidarity statement against antisemitism. Still open for signatures, the statement is available at jcpmemphis.org/antisemitism, a dedicated webpage which will continue to have resources for community members, including an incident reporting form, an opportunity to obtain a Standing Against Antisemitism yard sign, and other action items and informational resources. Learn more about how you can get involved here.

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“Considering how Jewish life in college begins long before a student steps foot on their college campus, I believe that it’s important for high school students to understand the Jewish landscape that awaits them after they graduate high school,” said Sophie Bloch, the Director of Hillels of Memphis. “College is the first time many Jewish teens explore Jewish identity on their own terms, so it’s important that they feel empowered to do so, and understand the role Hillel can play in helping them along their journey.”

Sophie was the featured guest teacher for a group of 8th-12th graders at Temple Israel’s High School program in mid-October. She led the students through discussions centered on college and Jewish identity, and engaged them with interactive exercises designed to bring the topics to life.

“I talked with the students about opportunities that college experience provides to explore identity and discover what Judaism means to them,” she said. “We talked about how religion and culture are experienced differently by every individual, and how finding what means the most to them may be the best place to start. We also talked about Israel and the complexities that having a relationship with the country can have on the campus experience. I wanted them to know a bit about what to expect as they embark on this thrilling but intimidating stage of life, and remind them that a Hillel can be an incredible campus resource, helping Jewish students explore their Judaism and connect with peers in a similar situation as themselves.”

“For most students, the transition from high school to college is as stressful as it is exciting. Having Sophie from Hillels of Memphis speak to the Temple Israel High Schoolers about how Hillel is dedicated to enriching their college experience through Judaism was priceless as they consider their college choices,” said Temple Israel’s Rabbi Jeff Dreifus. “Additionally, I loved her empowering message about using their new autonomy in college to be purposeful about their Judaism by reimagining how they connect and create community with people from cities from all across the country. Everyone appreciated Sophie’s insight.”

After Sophie’s lecture, the students made “life maps,” charting significant milestones, places, and people in their lives from birth to present day. They analyzed the items on their lists that were related to their Judaism, from their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, to Jewish summer camp experiences, to relationships with their grandparents. The exercise was designed to help students realize that many cherished memories are rooted in their Jewish experiences.

After other hands-on workshops, the conversation turned back to Israel.

“I wanted them to understand how Israel and Zionism factors in to Jewish identity, and how the teens could potentially navigate uncomfortable topics that they might encounter on campus around the subject of Israel, like the BDS movement and Antisemitism,” Sophie described.

The course ended with a segment exploring the online Hillel College Guide and Jewish Scholarship portal.

Through showing the teens the resources available to them, the students ultimately left the class with a better understanding of Judaism, what their religion personally means to them, how to respond to others’ negativity regarding Israel, and where to find helpful resources both at their college campus and online.

“This is one of the many examples of how Hillels of Memphis is a resource in the local Memphis Jewish community, even for teens just beginning to think about life beyond middle and high school, and what to look forward to when experiencing Jewish life in college,” said Sophie.

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“Because students have returned to campus in person this year after a year and a half of being online, it’s especially important to be proactive about educating our campus communities about what Antisemitism looks like on college campuses today,” said Sophie Bloch, the Director of Hillels of Memphis, a program of Memphis Jewish Federation. “College students have unique needs and experiences that require a nuanced look, and we all have a role to play in proactively combatting Antisemitism on campus by engaging in dialogue, honoring our differences, and creating space for students to feel comfortable exploring their Jewish identity without fear.”

On September 30, Hillels of Memphis participated in co-sponsoring the event Moon and Stars: Supporting and Celebrating Muslim and Jewish Students. Primarily organized by Chaplain Beatrix from Rhodes College, this event was held both in person and virtually and featured guest speakers Josh Losner, from Hillel International’s “campus climate” department, and Ishaq Pathan, the Director of Islamic Networks Group in the Bay Area.

“Multiple students of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian backgrounds came to show support, demonstrating that a sense of community truly does exist here on Rhodes campus,” said Samuel Cross, a sophomore who is also a Rhodes Hillel Co-Vice President and Jewish Community Fellow.

During this event, the two speakers were invited to discuss proactive strategies that students, faculty, and administrators in campus communities can use to talk about these issues and educate one another, empowering them to combat Antisemitic and Islamophobic beliefs on campus together. Josh and Ishaq highlighted the importance of interfaith dialogue and the crucial need for Jews and Muslims to engage together. The speakers shared that through simple conversation both sides can better relate to each other, identify mutual similarities, and work to overcome adversities together.

“The event was also attended by multiple members of the V.O.I.C.E.S committee, who serve as the voice for minority groups on campus. As a member of this committee myself, I know that my counterparts left the meeting with both an increased respect for the Jewish and Islamic communities as well as a better understanding of how to best represent them and safeguard their traditions on campus,” said Samuel. “I expect that in future years we will see increased interactions between V.O.I.C.E.S, Hillel, and the Muslim Student Association, fostering stronger relationships between the communities.”

Another theme addressed was that the experiences of Jews and Muslims are unique to each individual, so it is crucial to share stories and get to know one another as individuals. By interacting and learning each person’s unique perspective, both groups gain the opportunity to reflect and relate with one another. Through listening to each other’s experiences and viewpoints, we can start to build relationships and a culture of mutual understanding.

“I believe this type of seminar should become a tradition on campus. It’s rare that these issues get the attention they warrant, and it does a good job opening much-needed discussion about campus diversity and how to protect it,” Samuel said. “By opening this door, it also gives us the opportunity to discuss issues beyond the Judeo-Islamic communities on campus, including race, sexuality, and variance in ability as well. On a college campus, especially for one as small as Rhodes, it is important to foster an inclusive community and I believe this event was a significant step in that direction.”

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Season 3 of the Hillels of Memphis On One Foot: Jewish Faculty Lecture Series kicks off tomorrow, Friday, September 24, and features a new group of Jewish academics from Rhodes College and the University of Memphis. Lectures this season will be featured every second or third Friday of each month, starting with Dr. Shaul Bar, Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Memphis. Hillels of Memphis is a program of Memphis Jewish Federation, which is operated by Jewish Community Partners.

“This is the first time, in all these years, that I have seen the Director of Hillel reaching out and getting teachers involved,” said Harry Samuels, a past President of Memphis Jewish Federation who was instrumental in establishing the first Memphis Hillel as a student at then Memphis State University, and who has remained involved with the program for more than 60 years. “It’s a wonderful thing that she’s done, because involvement is very important in any Hillel. If you can get the Jewish professors involved, it really means something to the students, aside from the benefit of the lectures themselves. I am very supportive of what she has done and I compliment her on her involvement.”

“I’m incredibly excited to continue the Hillels of Memphis Jewish Faculty Lecture Series for another season because it was so popular and well-received last year, not only by the people who attended, but also the lecturers,” said Sophie Bloch, Director of Hillels of Memphis. “My hope and goal for On One Foot is that everyone leaves feeling more connected to the larger Memphis Jewish community and to Hillel as a result of this collaboration.”

“This initiative was created during COVID when there were little to no in-person events happening in the Memphis Jewish community,” said Sophie. “It was also created when we were trying to leverage virtual programming to engage with the community. Despite more events currently happening in-person, we wanted to continue with this initiative because of the great feedback we’ve gotten so far.”

Season 3’s topics are as diverse as the lecturers, whose expertise in history, mathematics, philosophy, cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, and communications will bring the episodes to life. Viewers can look forward to hearing from Jewish professors who have joined their faculties within the past year, with many topics related to current events and issues affecting our daily lives.

“Hillel’s On One Foot Faculty Lecture Series is a wonderful example of the long and proud tradition of Jewish intellectual engagement,” said Professor Eric Gottlieb, a Season 3 lecturer and Rhodes College Math Professor. “It’s an honor to have been asked to contribute. I look forward to a lively exchange about mathematics, and Jewish involvement in mathematics, with participating community members.”

Each hour-long lecture starts at noon, with time included for group discussion. The series is designed for any community member interested in learning and is open to everyone.

“The Faculty Lecture Series is a rare Hillel program that isn’t specifically student-focused. We intentionally created it as a community-focused program for anyone with a student’s curiosity,” said Sophie. “Any adult community member will find the topics intellectually stimulating, and the sessions also give students the opportunity to learn from professors outside of their major or department, and possibly outside of their school as well.”

The sessions are open to the public, but viewers must register in advance. Click here to learn more and register. The lectures will be recorded and posted on the same webpage. Viewers can catch up with the first two seasons now, and watch upcoming lectures the week after their live debut.

“I’m hoping that viewers leave with a sense of connection to the Jewish academic talent at our local institutions, and a renewed perspective of how our religion ties into more topics than we may realize,” said Sophie.

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