As university students hung mezuzot, (encasings of parchment containing the Hebrew prayer “Shema”) on the doorposts in the newly constructed Hillel Student Center on Monday, July 13, there was a sense of warmth and excitement among students, staff and community members present.
In a time when the United States and the world are experiencing difficult financial times, it instills a sense of hope to see the Jewish community growing and thriving, especially among its young members.
Students were notably excited about the new game room and attractive furnishings in the new building. It was, however, the most rewarding to see and hear the reactions of students when they approached the second floor landing and saw the eastward-facing ark, where the Torah scrolls are kept within the sanctuary.
It is inspiring to be a part of a community of young adults that value their Jewish identity so highly and can find such reward in the simple, yet beautiful ritual of hanging a mezuzah.
Savannah Hunnicut is a sophomore majoring in journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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