Campus Notebook: February 13, 2015

Habonim weekender

Habonim Dror student madrichim enjoyed a weekend shabbaton in the Yorkshire countryside as part of a bonding seminar.

Fourteen students from Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham and London, travelled to the village of Delph to take part in Shabbat services, educational programmes as well as a trip to nearby Hollingworth Lake.

Habonim’s northern fieldworker, Jamie Herman, said: “This was about empowering our leaders on campus and showing them how they can be involved in Habonim.”

Uni need to know

Preparing for life on campus throws up a lot of questions, but 100 parents and sixth-formers got answers to most of theirs at an information evening at the London Jewish Cultural Centre.

As part of the project “UR UNI LIFE” run by UJIA and UJS, participants put questions to representatives from UJS, CST, Jewish Chaplaincy and JSoc chairs. Items on the agenda included kosher accommodation, dealing with antisemitism, and what to do if exams clash with Shabbat.

Sixth-former Miriam Szlezinger said: “I know what I want to study but I’m not sure where to go. This has been really good in helping me decide.”

Feasting in Leeds

Leeds JSoc ditched the chicken soup in favour of an “around the world” theme for the new committee’s first Friday-night dinner.

Around 70 students sampled an Israeli starter of falafel and hummus, a main dish of Chinese sweet and sour chicken and Italian ice cream for dessert.

JSoc president Grace Diamond said: “It was our first dinner and I was so proud of my committee and how well they did. There was a really nice atmosphere.”

UJS president Ella Rose visited Leeds to join in the Shabbat celebrations. Dinner was followed by a Tribe sponsored oneg of snacks and “chill-out” time in the Hillel House lounge.