Groundbreaking Reflection

September 8, 2024

We find ourselves at the beginning of the academic year as well as the final weeks of the Jewish calendar year leading up to Rosh HaShanah.

Today, we are experiencing a story of contrasts.
Of beginnings.
Of endings.

As Emma shared, tens of thousands of Jewish Terps bittersweetly saying goodbye to one amazing home of almost 45 years
and joyfully welcoming in another.

Our weekly Torah portions ahead, the last six of the year, are emblematic of the contrast that so many of us live with:
This week’s portion is Kee Taitzaih – which means to go out,
Next week’s Kee Tavo translates as we enter.
In two weeks, we will read Neetzavim – to stand still,
Followed by VaYailech – about walking forward.
While today is not about leaving, Taitzaih, 7612 Mowatt, it is certainly about Tavo – entering this new stage in Maryland Hillel’s almost 90 year history at the University of Maryland.

Our engagement staff are continually in the Taitzah mode – going out, spreading out and connecting with all students all across campus – inspiring Jewish journeys one Shabbat, one trip to Israel, one Jewish conversation at a time, embracing the broad identity of what a proud Terp is all about, not living in isolation but in relationship with the richness of the University of Maryland community. Spin Love, not Hate is not just any program, it the cornerstone of our ideology that Jews breathe and live Tikkun Olam – engaged with and for the world at large, and College Park as a microcosm.
And yet, if we were only in a Taitzah – outward looking mode, we would miss out on the Tavo, the coming together aspect of Maryland Hillel.

The higher mathematical formula that may not work in an academic setting, but certainly does in the creative Hillel energy is 1+ 1 = 3.

Building core community that is energized and passionate, pluralistic and welcome to all Jews and others.
Multi-denominational Shabbats, a fired up opening BBQ with well over 1,000 students, a safe space and haven on campus where Jewish AND fiercely proud Israel Zionist identity is embraced, enriched and free of the hate that Jews around the world, and sadly in isolated incidents on campus too, continue to face.

It is the Tavo – coming inside, where one feels at home, gets charged, inspired and grows as a Jew.
It is because we gather – Tavo, that we have the fortitude and courage of community and each other to once again Taitzaih – to go out,
But it is our Taitzah – our going out – that informs our internal community to not live in isolation but in partnership with others and enables us to give back to others as Jewish Terps.

The way we do this is Neetzavim – we stand – tall and proud – like we did last October 9th for an Israel vigil and will gather again on October 7th. Neetzavim, standing still, is our new physical structure which will house student leadership suites, a vigorous center for Israel education and antisemitism awareness that we are going to build and fund with your help, an a cappella suite, place for prayer and reflection, as well as dining and social celebrations.

But we will not, as we have not, remain isolated – for Maryland Hillel is not about where you are, but who you can become.
We will continue to VaYailech – to walk forward and connect with our Greek neighbors through a myriad of Shabbat opportunities, build core community on North Campus, play in the sandbox of campus life such as Maryland’s National Hillel Basketball Tournament, and interfaith social justice opportunities in tandem with allies from all walks of life
For 29 years, as a Hillel Rabbi, oops – I meant as a Hillel Ari, I remain inspired by the resilience, maturity, thought-provoking student conversations that keep me up late at night but energize me to jump up in the morning to embrace what the new day brings.

This magical balance is…Maryland Hillel’s secret sauce echoing the true, barely embellished, story of how we got here.
After years of back and forth trying to work with UMD leadership and identify a spot, one morning I received a call from a University colleague who asked me to open up Google Maps and see if we would be interested in 7505 Yale Avenue.
WOW, we will take it!! But wait, you didn’t open up Google Maps and how do you know 7505 Yale Avenue?
It’s Bashert
Bashoot
Bashert
Bashit – “definitely not that”
How many years have you been at Maryland?
About 20.
Well, in the late 1940s after a nomadic decade on campus, Maryland Hillel purchased our first property, 7505 Yale Avenue
It’s bashert, serendipity, We are finally going home.

I am so grateful for everyone, neetzavim, standing here with us and for those amazingly generous donors who have made this possible.
With your help and support, the last third of our campaign, $8M, are what will turn bittersweetness into joy of the opportunities ahead, together we will vaYailech – keep moving forward to close our campaign and then fuel the energy that this new center will generate.
Finally, the capstone of all of this is the last two sections of our holy Torah – Haazinu – hear and listen – we will springboard our new Hillel center to listen to each other as Jews from all walks of life, listen to fellow Terps and Americans with disparate political and social views, to global human beings listening to and learning from one another.

And then Gd should grant us all the last section of the Torah viZot HaBeracha – the blessing that this journey today that we set on over 80 years ago at this same address will once again be filled with the laughter, joy, celebration, and growth for the next generations ahead.

With this new Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Center, Maryland Hillel will not only remain ahead of the Jewish curve, we will continue to shape it.

Thank you!

Ari Israel