Jewish American Heritage Month: Finding the Jewish Community I Didn’t Know I Needed
This May, during Jewish American Heritage Month, I find myself reflecting on the deeply personal ways my connection to Judaism has changed — changed in ways I never expected. I’m finishing my third year at Marquette University and recently I’ve been thinking about how that growth and transformation happened, especially at a small campus with a small Jewish community.
Even though I grew up in a densely Jewish area, I didn’t have what people might call a “typical” Jewish childhood. My family rarely went to synagogue, I didn’t go to Jewish summer camp, and I never had a bat mitzvah. Because of that, I didn’t feel very connected to Judaism or to Jewish spaces and was often uncomfortable at large Jewish gatherings. So when I committed to a small school with a tiny Jewish population, I wasn’t worried about losing my Jewish identity. I already felt so distant from it.
That changed after the attacks on October 7th, when, for the first time, I found myself craving Jewish community and a sense of belonging. Most of my friends at school were from different faith backgrounds, and I didn’t have a familiarJewish space to turn to like I did with my family. So I reached out to the Jewish community in Milwaukee, and learned more about my campus Hillel. Immediately, I started meeting other Jewish students and developing friendships. Slowly, I found a passion for my Jewish identity that I didn’t even realize I needed. Before I knew it, my Friday nights shifted from Marquette basketball games to lighting candles and singing prayers with a close-knit community.
Being part of a small Jewish community has shaped my college experience in ways I never expected. One of the biggest perks is how personal it feels. I know almost everyone who walks through our Hillel doors, including their first and last names, majors, and even which dorms they live in. When someone new shows up for Shabbat, it feels like a friendly competition to see who can be the first to welcome them.
Another major part of my experience has been leadership. Since I was a first-year student, I’ve held a position on our Hillel’s student board which, at a larger school, might have been harder to access. Through these roles, I’ve helped plan events, create welcoming spaces, and bring people together. More than anything, being a leader helped me grow into and find ownership of my Jewish identity.
Through this journey, I’ve gone from only knowing the motzi blessing over bread, and Shabbat kiddush to learning more Shabbat prayers and songs. I am even considering having a bat mitzvah through Hillel next year. This past year especially, I’ve felt more connected to my Jewish heritage than ever before.
I saw that clearly at our Welcome Back Shabbat. After a summer without Hillel, I was still able to jump right back into services, not by hiding behind food setup, but by singing along with confidence. I noticed new students who looked just as unsure as I once felt. I told them that I had been in their exact place my first year, and that Hillel helped me to find myself, knowing I’m exactly where I belong. Since then, many of those students have come back and found their place in our community too.
I’m incredibly grateful for this Jewish space at a small school. It transformed how I connect to my Judaism and opened doors to experiences like Hillel International conferences, internships, and a broader Jewish community beyond Milwaukee.
If you’re an incoming student choosing your future home this National College Decision Day, or a current student with a background like mine, know this: you can find your Jewish space, whether right away or over time. After all, I’ve learned there is no one right path or right background needed to join a Jewish community. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and find that connection and belonging.
While pre-college me would never believe how Jewishly connected I am today, I think she would also be proud that I’ve finally found a way to feel at home, joyfully and unapologetically, in my Jewish identity.