Amy

I met Amy while I was tabling early in the year in one of the dining commons -- if I remember correctly, we were doing Spin-Art.  She came over to the table to see what was going on, and I noticed her necklace: a fun, artsy, Star of David.  I asked Amy if she had knew about Hillel; she said that she had gotten our calendar but did not know where the building was located.  So I took down her information and a couple days later, I called and invited her join me at Shabbat dinner.  After that, I don't think Amy missed a single Friday night -- and she always got angry with me when I had other plans and couldn't be here.  She started attending my programs in her area of campus and became involved in Jews on Campus, offering many ideas and suggestions throughout the year.  Her motivation spurred us to create a Jewish bowling league!  I have no doubt that Amy will continue to be involved in many aspects of the OSU Hillel community, and that you are sure to see her smiling face here every Friday night.

Rachel

Being a grad student is stressful and time-consuming; being a grad student in a department with very few Jewish students is even more difficult as one must truly search hard to find one's place in the community.  Rachel is a dental student at OSU, and I first met her when an active young professional brought her to GAP Shabbat dinner.  We talked for a while, and I noticed how much she wanted to be a part of the Jewish community but how difficult it was for her with all her work.  To get her involved, I sought her help when scheduling GAP events for the following quarter -- she offered a couple of great suggestions and told me what dates and times were good for her to attend events.  After that, I made sure she knew about each event, personally inviting her to join us and introducing her to other grad students.  Once she felt comfortable with the GAP "regulars," Rachel became one herself, becoming a strong member of the Jewish grad community and looking for ways to strengthen the community itself. 

Esther

Like many students, Esther came to Hillel during the first week of school for our "Welcome BBQ" -- free dinner and an introduction to our student groups and programs.  Seeing her walking around alone, I introduced myself and we started talking.  Esther is more observant than most of the students here; instead of helping her along her "Jewish Journey," the challenge was going to be helping Esther find her place within our community.  OSU Hillel does not cater to observant students, rarely offering Orthodox services or advanced learning opportunities.  After talking to Esther that night I was determined to help her become a part of the community here -- so I began inviting her to programs I knew she could enjoy for what they were, mostly social events happening around campus.  Esther was helpful in helping me decide what type of events to hold in the Residence Halls, and she was always mindful of making other students feel comfortable.  But perhaps the best part of this relationship, for both of us, was the discussions that we held frequently about Judaism, Jewish life and community, and trying to live as an observant Jew in a secular world.  It was with Esther that I realized how much more important the relationship is than any successful program -- how much more beneficial to both the student and the JCSC fellow.

Marc

I also met Marc early in the year while tabling in one of the dining commons.  He approached the table and told me immediately that he was Jewish and needed to be "hooked up."  I showed him our calendar and starting telling him about all our different student groups -- and after each description, Marc would tell me how awesome that sounded, and how much he wanted to get involved in that group.  Can one student really be involved in every student group of Hillel?  If it's at all possible, Marc would be the one to do it.  He started coming to programs, all programs, and soon every staff member and Hillel student knew who he was.  I realized that being involved in our programs and groups does not mean that someone is no longer an engagement student, so I made a point to talk to him whenever I could, to find out what was happening in his life, with his school work, and with his role in our Jewish community. 

Michelle

I met Michelle, a first-year law student, at the activity fair at the Law school in September.  In fact, she was the first "real student" I met (being on the semester calendar, the law school started several weeks before the rest of the university).  I invited her to coffee, and a few days later we met at Hillel.  I showed her around the building and then we went down the street and talked for a long time.  She told me about her background and why she was in law school (she had already received her masters degree), we both shared our "Jewish journeys," and we talked about the GAP community at OSU Hillel.  Michelle is one of those people who can brighten your day after you've talked to her for just a few minutes -- always smiling and always cheerful, she can get excited about something as simple as going to dinner with other students.  Our conversations this year have ranged from talking about Jewish boys to Jewish observances, and I believe that we both got a lot out of sharing our own thoughts and beliefs.  Michelle became an active member of GAP, as I'm sure she'll continue to be, as well as a part of the general Jewish community here.

Jim

Noticing a flyer hanging in his Res Hall, Jim e-mailed me to find out about the "8 Crazy Nights" program, where we had dinner off-campus before seeing Adam Sandler's new movie during the week of Hanukkah.  At dinner I was able to talk to Jim for a while, learning that he was intimidated by Hillel because he thought his own knowledge of Judaism was lacking.  A member of the ROTC, Jim was also hindered by the time commitment he had made to the corps.  During our discussion, I helped him realize that no one would judge him because of his background but that he would always be welcome in our community.  He came to Shabbat dinner that week, where I introduced him to other first-year students.  Enjoying himself, Jim returned to Hillel the following quarter for Shabbat dinner whenever he could and always hung around after dinner until the last group of students left the building.  For Jim, Friday night is the time when he can forget about the ROTC, forget about his class work, and be a part of the Jewish community.  

Beth

Also a first-year law student, Beth found it very difficult to find time in her busy schedule for Jewish involvement on campus.  I met her at the start of the year and continued to invite her to both GAP and general Hillel events, but she never attended.  Finally, in January, I convinced her to attend a GAP dinner at a local restaurant by encouraging her to bring a friend along.  Beth and her cousin joined us for dinner, and they both really enjoyed meeting other Jewish grads and young professionals their age.  Beth decided this spring that she wanted to make Jewish community more of a priority in her life, so she joined Hillel's intramural softball team instead of the law school's team.  In addition, she attended two other GAP events and offered some good suggestions for next year's programming, of which I'm sure she will be a part. 

Gabe

I honestly can't tell you exactly where or when I met Gabe the first time -- maybe it was tabling, or at Hillel, or at a dorm event.  What I remember is that when I publicized the interest meeting for Jews on Campus, for first-years wanting to become involved in programming, Gabe was the first person to respond that he would be at the meeting.  While playing a brainstorming game, it became clear that not only did Gabe have some great ideas for JOC, but that he wanted to create a Hillel presence around campus.  After that first meeting, Gabe attended most of my programs, only missing a couple because they were on the wrong end of campus or were scheduled the night before he had a big test.  He brought his girlfriend to programs as well, a Jewish girl who was wary of attending Hillel programs without him (but after several conversations, I was able to help her feel comfortable with her Jewish identity and she is now a Hillel regular).  But most importantly, Gabe always brought his incredible energy and enthusiasm to everything he attended, including tabling projects and dorm events.  Gabe is one of those students who desperately wants to get involved but doesnt know how or where to start -- so by putting him on the right path, by asking for his input and assistance, I was able to give him a real sense of belonging and ownership.

Anna

I remember meeting Anna at an orientation event we held in Cleveland before school started.  Right away I thought she was really great -- friendly, spirited, and smart.  When she arrived on campus, we met for coffee and found time to talk; I made sure she knew about each event in her area of campus.  I also volunteered her at the very start of the year to introduce one of our speakers, knowing we needed a spirited and intelligent first-year and thinking of her immediately.  She started having trouble with one of her science classes, so I offered to help her study -- realizing again that it is the relationship you build with a student that counts, not the programs you can offer them.  Anna and I became very close over the year; finding a time to catch up with each other became a priority for both of us.  She attended some programs but nothing frequently, not taking an active role in any of our student groups but rather being a presence at general Hillel events.  I began encouraging her to become more of an active leader within Hillel, drawing upon her experience and skills to help other students feel comfortable, and I am confident that she will not only continue to strengthen her own Jewish identity but will help others strengthen theirs as well.