Dear Hillel: Redefining Jewish Community Every Day
“Dear Hillel” showcases letters from graduating seniors reflecting on their experiences of joy and Jewish life with their campus Hillels. Eitan Linsider, a fourth-year student at the University of Maryland, College Park, reflects on the transformative shifts in the Maryland Hillel community after October 7, 2023. Read Eitan’s letter to Hillel:
Dear Hillel,
When considering where to go to college, I knew Jewish life would be central to my decision. Community has always been a defining part of who I am, shaping my values, my identity, and how I interact with the world. That’s why, from day one, I understood that the University of Maryland Hillel would be integral to my college life.
One of the most meaningful parts of my college experience has been building relationships with the Hillel staff, led by our incredible executive director, Rabbi Ari Israel. The Hillel team is dedicated to enriching the experiences of all Jewish students and groups on campus. Their guiding motto, “student run, staff supported,” perfectly captures their dedication to ensuring students can all make the most of our time here.
That’s why, thanks to those relationships, what truly defines my college experience isn’t any single event; instead, it’s the day-to-day life, during times of calm and crisis, that has been enriched by being a part of this community. During freshman year, I found myself at Hillel multiple times a day —whether it was for davening (prayers), enjoying kosher meals three times a day, doing homework with classmates, or playing ping pong with students who would quickly become my closest friends. From the moment I sat down at my first Shabbat meal, I knew Hillel would become my home away from home.
And then, two months into my third year as a student, Hillel became so much more. In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, Hillel quickly became a lifeline, a place of refuge in a sea of new uncertainty. And in every sense of the word, Maryland Hillel delivered for our Jewish community. For students like me, who were already part of the daily rhythm at Hillel, our identities were reaffirmed. For other Jewish students, many of whom had never stepped inside the building before, it became a vital space where they could feel safe.
I was already incredibly proud of the community that Maryland Hillel has built, and watching it grow to embrace so many more students in the face of rising antisemitism has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my college experience. One event that stood out to me in particular was Shabbat 1000, an annual Friday night Shabbat dinner that held special significance shortly after October 7. The goal was to provide a place of solace in a time of deep distress for students in the Jewish community, each of whom was processing what had happened in their own unique way. Our campus gym quickly filled with students eager for a sense of community. This event, along with a thousand plus attendee vigil held on October 9, 2023, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Maryland Hillel community.
At every step in the months that followed, Hillel staff stood beside us, supporting our efforts, and providing a welcoming environment where students could proudly and confidently be Jewish. Most events were planned around the Hillel conference room table, and whenever we needed help brainstorming ideas or figuring out how to make them happen, the staff was there to support us. I am beyond thankful for everything they have provided this community. As I move into the next stage of my journey, I am so grateful to have made the decision to attend the University of Maryland and get involved with Maryland Hillel.