The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: News

Cooky Notis (far right), a local Jewish Grandmother, came to the Hillel house to show their new Sodexho chef, Sherry, how to make matzah balls.

There have been a number of updates for Hillel this semester, including a change from Boscovs Catering Company to Sodhexo as the new food distributor for the Friday night Shabbat dinners. Hillel decided to change to Sodexho because it became a better financial option and also because of its experience working with Kosher food. Recently, Sodhexo has been offering many new Kosher options in the Garden Room which have greatly expanded their knowledge of Kosher food.

The food will be cooked in the house with a chef provided by Sodhexo, and will be a lot fresher than the food cooked by Boscovs Catering Company in Redding, PA. The chef will be cooking the traditional Shabbat meal including chicken, matzo ball soup, rice or potatoes, salad, and dessert.

Hillel will be hosting some upcoming events this semester that will be open to everyone on campus. Jon Falk '10, Vice President of Alumni Relations and Fundraising for Hillel, proposed the idea "Yidds with Lids" and "Keep it Real with Kippahs." This event will occur on April 8th and will be open to anyone who would like to make a yamika or kippah. Falk explains, "I wanted to create an event to connect all Jews regardless of their denomination or affiliation and also to invite non Jews to take part in a cultural Jewish experience."

Falk likes this event because anyone can participate, supporting the message of Hillel "Klal Yisorel," meaning "all Jews." Falk presented his idea to the executive board of Hillel and the Vice Presidents of Publicity, Jason Kirschner '10 and Brandon Stern '10, who are now working hard to make sure that the event is a success.

Hillel will also be hosting Hamsa and Challah making on February 21st. The Hamsa hand is a traditional amulet that protects its owner from the envious or evil eye. Attendants will be able to paint these wooden hands and then keep them to hang in their dorm rooms. They will also be learning how to make Challah, which is the traditional bread and an important part of the Friday night Shabbat dinners.

Falk encourages everyone who wishes to attend to come to these events. "A lot of people like to come to Hillel because of its home environment and because they feel comfortable talking over a kitchen counter," Falk explains. Hillel hopes that these changes and upcoming events will help it continue to be a place of comfort for students on campus.

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