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Reflections: Holocaust Education Week 2020

by | Feb 7, 2020 | Jewish Life at Western | 0 comments

Looking back 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, we are faced with new challenges in remembering the Holocaust. Many survivors have since passed away, leaving their stories and testimony to the younger generation to continue to tell. Last week, Western Hillel invited Jews and non-Jews alike to participate in a number of events exploring not only stories about the Holocaust, but the lessons we can learn about standing up to intolerance and fighting for acceptance. Elie Wiesel once described the Holocaust as, “a destruction, an annihilation that only man can provoke, only man can prevent.” We must first remember the atrocities of the past in order to ensure they never happen again.

The events of Holocaust Education week began with a Shabbat dinner on January 24th discussing the future of what Holocaust education means to all of us. On Sunday January 26th, Elizabeth Moore spoke to students about her own personal experience with white supremacy and Holocaust denial. Her accounts were eye opening in allowing students to understand how people can fall into such hate groups. On January 27th Reny Friedman, a Holocaust survivor who survived after being hidden in a convent, gave her testimony to a diverse group of Western students and faculty.

On Thursday evening, a dinner and discussion took place at the Hillel House discussing online hate and what we can do about it. We were very pleased to be joined (via video call) by global expert, Dr. Andre Oboler of the Online Hate Prevention Institute all the way from Melbourne Australia. We must acknowledge the similarities between what we are seeing today with what has happened in the past in order to effectively find ways to prevent history from repeating itself.

Reflecting back on Westerns Holocaust education week I think about how important it is to take on the role of sharing the stories we hear with generations to come and ensure these atrocities do not happen again.

Written by Hailey Bensky

Maintaining Close Relationships at Western Hillel

Maintaining Close Relationships at Western Hillel

by | Oct 26, 2021

Western University students are fortunate to have a university leadership that cares about the well-being of students and actively seeks feedback on how to improve the university experience 

Recently, Western University President, Dr. Alan Shepard, hosted a small group of student representatives and staff from Western Hillel for an important discussion about antisemitism and Jewish campus life. In an effort to make sure that the conversation with students will lead to a greater impact on campus, Dr. Shepard made sure to also invite the university’s new Associate Vice-President of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Opiyo Oloya. 

Visiting the President’s residence was incredibly moving and motivating. We discussed Jewish student needs, challenges around kosher food on campus, religious accommodations, our concerns for students around the rise in antisemitism, and how our campus can be a safe and welcoming space for all. 

Maintaining close relationships with senior university leadership is a key element of Hillel Ontario’s campus strategy, and it was wonderful to get to know Dr. Shepard and Dr. Oloya and hear about their plans for commitment to a positive student experience. We are so grateful for the ongoing partnership and support between Western Hillel and Western University.

I believe that when Hillel has true partners in addressing Jewish student needs, it makes our campus a better place for all students. This experience with our university leaders gives me tremendous hope that we will see Jewish campus life flourish at Western. With the winning combination of an invested university administration, our dedicated student leaders and dedicated Hillel staff, every Jewish student will have the space and opportunity to create their own personal Jewish campus life experience.

[attached image; names left to right: Sofia Musman (Program Coordinator), Isabel Borisov (Club President), Jordyn Cohen (Club Holocaust Education & Tikkun Olam), Jacqui Dressler (Advocacy Coordinator), Scott Goldstein (Director), Dr. Opiyo Oloya, Dr. Alan Shepard, Glen Raudanskis (VP Admin)]

 

To my Fellow Students

To my Fellow Students

by | Apr 27, 2021

I am Jacob Brickman, Western Hillel’s outgoing VP Student Life, and a soon-to-be graduate in psychology. I will be walking across the virtual stage in June, after five wonderful years at Western, three of which I have spent being very actively involved in Hillel. To any Jewish student who is not graduating this spring, being very actively involved in Hillel is one thing I would recommend above nearly all else while you study here. I have gone to events, I have been a part of fundraising campaigns, I have volunteered, I have done internships and fellowships every semester since my third year, I have tabled, I have sung, I have danced, I have led, I have been a committee chair and a vice president. Of all the experiences I have had with Western Hillel I can confidently recommend trying everything, at least once.

We all know: the pandemic and the past year (and a half) have sucked. It is hard to find silver linings. Some of the things I loved most about being at Western, being in London, came to a grinding halt almost instantaneously and simultaneously. Shabbat dinners, being able to see friends and meet new people at events, for Hillel and for the other clubs I have been a part of over the years, and really any opportunity to gather with people who are special to me felt like they would be absent for my last school year. Rather than accepting full loneliness and isolation from one another, the staff and student leadership of Western Hillel worked tirelessly from the summer to the spring to make sure our community came together as often and as meaningfully as possible. I, for one, am so tired of Zoom and Teams and Skype. However, being able to connect to anyone around the world this past year has opened up opportunities for myself and so many others.

This last semester, I was a part of a Jewish Learning Fellowship cohort with Leora (our awesome Senior Jewish Educator – you should meet her if you have not yet). If we had been in person, several of the people in my cohort would not have been there and their voices and ideas would never have made it into our sessions. Because of Zoom, Jason was able to call in from B.C., and anyone who moved home from London out of residence, for instance, was still able to join, in a way they simply couldn’t have otherwise.

As I move on from my undergrad, I have been thinking about what Hillel has meant to me and what it could mean for you, my fellow students, as you continue here at Western. This is a beautiful place. You will make friends, you will deepen friendships you already have. You will learn, teach, and experience. You will eat. My goodness, you will eat.  Keep an open mind and try out new programs. Having a Jewish community at your home away from home will enrich your life, as it has enriched mine. 

Thank you, Western Hillel.
Jacob Brickman

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