Dear Friends,

Last week I was walking through Lullwater Preserve with a student when he turned to me and asked, “Have we missed peak fall?” I looked up at the glorious canopy towering over us, filled with the most vibrant reds and yellows and oranges. I said, “No. We haven’t missed it. We are deep in the middle of it!” After more than a year and a half of missing out on things, it can be hard to believe that life is happening and that it is here for us to appreciate, to savor, and to be grateful for.

Yet, the magnificence of this past semester has not been limited to the local flora. It has been such a joy to watch the campus come back to life after a much more muted 2020. Every corner of campus has been bustling with energy, and, infused in the mix, have been a multitude of opportunities for Jewish students to explore their tradition and their identity.

Even before the semester began, Emory Office of Spiritual and Religious Life (OSRL) launched our new pre-Orientation program, "Welcoming Interfaith and Spiritual Exploration (WISE)." Incoming Emory first-years had the opportunity to engage in fun and meaningful interfaith education, dialogue, and community visits, culminating with a Shabbat dinner and “Ask the rabbi” session that I was happy to host. In addition, OSRL began the exciting process of planning Emory’s first Interfaith Center, to open in December 2022. The college years are a unique time for developing Jewish identity, which can be strengthened by meaningful opportunities to engage with other traditions. As Giving Tuesday approaches on November 30, we would be grateful for your support of these efforts as well as your continued support for Jewish life on campus.

September began with a return to in-person celebration of the High Holidays. From the sweet taste of apples and honey at the Emory Student Center, to prayer and learning opportunities with Hillel and Chabad and Meor, to large break-the-fast holiday meals, students were delighted to gather together with their peers. Outside of Cannon Chapel, we built a community Sukkah where students joined together for food and community. During Sukkot, we also launched our first-annual fermentation festival, offering students of all backgrounds the chance to experience the quintessential Jewish taste of homemade dill pickles.

As Chanukah approaches, we are deep in the planning of an on-campus and campus-wide candle lighting and Chanukuah party. OSRL, in conjunction with our Jewish life affiliates, is ensuring that the light and the joy of our holiday season will be shared with the entire Emory community. We have not passed our peak; rather, we are just getting started. Our office will remain committed to helping staff, students, and faculty feel present and connected and engaged in the story of Jewish life at Emory.

With gratitude,

Rabbi Jordan

Jewish Chaplain

Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life