Dear New Student,
I want to welcome you as you prepare to embark on this next part of your journey. As the Jewish chaplain within Emory’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, it is my pleasure to introduce myself and the work of our office. As teachers and practitioners of a variety of traditions, the chaplains in our office see to the religious, spiritual and cultural needs of students and staff. We connect students with our affiliate partners around campus and beyond, and we serve as resources for students seeking to answer major life questions that often arise during these years of intensive study and growth.
One of the joys of being on a college campus is seeing how those of you on campus decide what teachings, traditions and holiday times are actually important to you. For some this independence will feel familiar and for others it will be liberating. Every engagement with and exploration of Jewish identity will be your choice, a reflection of your own interest and willingness to dig into Judaism. I am very excited to be a guide, a fellow-traveler and a teacher along that path. And, after a year of so much distance, I am so excited to take you out for coffee and hear a little bit about where you are coming from!
We are lucky to have wonderful Jewish life affiliates on campus, including
Meor,
Hillel and
Chabad, each seeking to enrich the Jewish experience on campus. The work of these organizations ranges from social gatherings to spiritual life, from political organizing to traditional learning. The work of our affiliates and many more campus groups will be highlighted at the
Bagel Brunch on Sunday, August 22 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at the Marcus Hillel Center, which serves as something of a “Jewish life fair.”
Expect to learn more about Shabbat and holiday observances at this event. Undoubtedly, there will be a whole host of options for experiencing the High Holy Day season including prayer, delicious food and study. Our office has been working hard to ensure that professors are prepared to accommodate students celebrating all of the Fall holidays. If you have any questions or concerns about our religious accommodation policy,
please feel free to reach out.
Within the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life there are lots of opportunities for cultivating your spiritual life. I am working with students to imagine new pathways to mindfulness and Jewish engagement within campus life. Additionally, there are many existing programs for students interested in developing their leadership in an interfaith setting. We are very much looking forward to seeing you in a few short weeks. Move in for incoming undergraduate students has been scheduled for Saturday, but if that timing interferes with your Shabbat observance, the university will allow for an earlier move in at no additional cost. I wish you all a restful end to your summer and an easy transition to campus. In the lead up to Rosh Hashanah, it is traditional to reflect on who you want to be in the year to come. May we all be a little bit closer to the people we aspire to be as this new year begins.
Bivracha/With blessing,
