Jewish American Heritage Month: Building a Joyful and Authentic Jewish Life

Author

Date

May 27, 2025

In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we are honored to share Lauren Azrin’s story about exploring her Jewish identity with Dartmouth Hillel. Lauren, a graduating senior at Dartmouth College, found a Jewish home-away-from-home at Dartmouth Hillel which inspired her to continue her Jewish journey after college. Read Lauren’s story: 

When Lauren Azrin arrived at Dartmouth College, she came with a clear intention: she wanted to be part of the Jewish community. Raised in a Conservative home with strong Orthodox influences, Judaism was central to Lauren’s upbringing. Jewish preschool, day school, regular synagogue attendance, and involvement in youth group USY formed the foundation of her early Jewish life.

But in high school, as she transitioned to public school, Judaism took a less active role. “I stayed connected through synagogue friends and a youth group,” Lauren reflects, “but when I got to college, Hillel gave me a way to reconnect in a personal, meaningful way. It helped me take Judaism into my own hands.”

After recently graduating with a degree  in English, film, and economics, Lauren is preparing for a job in communications, with dreams of eventually working in entertainment. Looking back, she credits Hillel at Dartmouth with deepening her Jewish identity and inspiring a lifelong connection to community, learning, and tradition.

A Community from the Start

Lauren’s Jewish journey at Dartmouth began with Jew Croo, a Thursday night dinner for first-year students. “It was one of the first things I did on campus,” she says. “It was so important in making me feel welcome. I probably met every active Jew at Dartmouth that year.”

The friendships she made early on became anchors. From Jew Croo to Shabbat dinners — complete with warm food, meaningful conversations, and Dartmouth Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Seth Linfield’s famous question of the week — Hillel quickly became a home away from home.

“Even when things got hectic with school and socializing, I always prioritized Shabbat. It’s warm, grounding, and fun. We laugh, learn, and share.”

Choosing Her Judaism

Throughout her time at Dartmouth, Lauren regularly took part in Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF), a conversational seminar for students looking to deepen their understanding of Judaism. “The classes were small and every session had a theme. From kabbalah and ethics to love and relationships, we explored Jewish texts and applied them to our lives,” she says.

Reflecting on how meaningful this experience was, Lauren adds, “Back when I was growing up, I learned because it was expected. Here, I learned because I wanted to. I was choosing Judaism for myself.”

She also helped organize a Jewish formal during her sophomore summer and attended countless community-building events like Jews and Java, Jews and Canoes, and the annual Purim Ball. “All these activities gave me a chance to celebrate Judaism joyfully and authentically,” she says. 

A Birthright Experience Like No Other

Lauren waited until senior year to participate in Birthright Israel, and the timing, she says, was perfect. “I was more mature, more grounded, and better able to reflect. It was immersive and incredibly meaningful.”

Traveling with Dartmouth Hillel peers and educators, Lauren visited diverse communities — from Druze villages to Arab-Israeli neighborhoods — and explored complex narratives. A powerful moment came at Yad Vashem, where the group discussed Holocaust memory and its relevance to their own Jewish lives.

“We didn’t just observe, we reflected. We asked what it means to carry these histories forward,” she remembers.

Finding Strength After October 7

Lauren was studying abroad during the October 7, 2023 attacks but returned to campus during the heightened tensions that followed. “There was a protest on May 7 where many students were arrested. It was a really unsettling experience.”

Despite the challenges, Lauren never felt isolated. She says, “Hillel was a safe space from the beginning. They created room for dialogue, comfort, and community. I know students at other campuses didn’t have that. We were lucky—we got to thrive.”

A Jewish Future

As graduation approaches, Lauren knows that her connection to Judaism is just beginning. “Hillel reminded me how much I love Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and community. I want to find a community I can fully immerse myself in. I’ve realized the most important part of Judaism is community. That’s what I’ve found at Hillel. And that’s what I’ll continue to seek out.”

Interested in more stories about Jewish students exploring their Jewish heritage through a connection to Hillel? Read about Lauren Robbins, a third year student at University of Florida, and her journey.