Connecting to Jewish life on U.S. college campuses will be the focus of a panel discussion for graduating high school seniors and their parents. Rabbi Nicole Guzik of Sinai Temple in Westwood will moderate a panel of current Jewish college students and recent graduates on June 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the University of UCLA Hillel office.
Titled “Jewish Life on Campus: Where to Find It and How to Be a Part of It,” the program will present students and their families with the many ways students can become involved in Jewish life, such as through Hillel, Birthright Israel, Jewish fraternities and sororities, social activities and sports. The panel may also address anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity, a growing problem on some college campuses. Following the discussion, Beverly Hills licensed marriage and family therapist Lucy Rimalower will lead a session for parents, “Letting Go.”
Representatives from StandWithUs and Koach, the college outreach project of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, will be available to answer questions about their work on campuses.
The program is free and open to the community.
“The main point [of the program] is that there are different ways to be Jewish on campus,” said Marilyn Stern, a Sinai Temple member who conceived and developed the event. “Everyone has a different level of Judaism, and we’re reaching out to the community. We want people to know there’s a smorgasbord of opportunities, and they can pick and choose.”
“Going away to school can be overwhelming,” said Sinai board member and co-organizer Lisa Pompan. “We hope the program can give them some comfort and resources.”
The event is being sponsored by Sinai Temple’s College Connection and Hillel at UCLA. For information, call (310) 481-3246 or e-mail {encode=”collegeconnection@sinaitemple.org” title=”collegeconnection@sinaitemple.org”}.
