Balancing schoolwork, relaxation, socialization and time for reflection is preached endlessly in college. But, very rarely is an emphasis placed, at least publicly, on the balance of schoolwork and spirituality. This week, the Jewish community is celebrating the its new year, a time for reflection and atonement.
Rosh Hashana, the new year, celebrates the joy and sweetness of a fresh slate. Yom Kippur, the tenth day following the new year, is a Day of Atonement, a more introspective exploration of how individuals can better themselves from past mistakes and wrongdoings.
Members of the growing University of Nebraska-Lincoln chapter of Hillel, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, were more than willing to share their feelings about the importance of spirituality, especially away from home during these crucial academic years.
Sari Raber, a senior psychology major from Vancouver, British Columbia, came from the background of a large Jewish population in her hometown. But now that she's in Nebraska, she is being exposed to a different cultural climate.
"I've met people who have never met Jews before," Raber said. "Coming to Nebraska has definitely been a unique experience."
Lindsay DeMarco, a junior advertising major from Philadelphia, said she liked the smaller Jewish population on campus.
"Coming from a large Jewish population to a small one makes me want to be more involved with Hillel," DeMarco said.
This brings up a bigger issue: defining one's own spirituality while becoming an adult.
Raber said Nebraska is a spiritual and religious learning environment for her because people questioned her about Judaism.
"Having people question me makes me question myself," she said.
And internal questioning is important. Raber later went on to say it is a principle part of the Jewish tradition.
"Debate and question is definitely a unique part of the Jewish culture," Raber said. "Learning through others is important, not just in Judaism, but in daily life."
Although Hillel has only a handful of members - around 15 active participants according to DeMarco - the small group encompasses a wide variety of different religious backgrounds. Raber said the group spans from very inexperienced members trying to explore the Jewish faith to Orthodox Jews incorporating their spirituality into their newfound independence.
Regardless of religious commitment, these students are trying to find a balance between their organized religion and their lives as students.
"I don't think in order to be a good Jew you have to go to services," DeMarco said. "You can be spiritual on your own."
DeMarco went on to say it "makes much more sense to live to be a good person to enhance other people's lives."
Raber, on a similar note, stressed the importance of mitzvot, or good deeds and commandments, and the necessity of giving back to the community to make it a better place. In the Jewish faith, this practice is known as Tikun olam - repairing the world.
This sense of community is what drew most Hillel students to the group to begin with. Both Raber and DeMarco agreed the reason they were active in the Jewish faith was the emphasis on community and family. Although these two students are from different countries and different coasts, they've found a home in Hillel. It is what DeMarco called "a common culture despite geography."
There are two synagogues in the Lincoln area that the UNL Hillel frequents: The South Street Temple, a Reform temple, and Tifereth Israel, a Conservative synagogue. Both are very willing to accept new members. Tifereth Israel makes a point of opening up to young people, stating on its Web site "joining a synagogue is one of the most fundamental ways you can express your commitment to maintaining the Jewish faith and traditions."
Maintaining a positive connection with others allows for the creation of a more understanding educational institution.
College life is "the time to become your own decision maker," Raber said. "It's a time where you decide who you want to be."
noahballard@dailynebraskan.com
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