Freshman and returning students alike enjoyed tables of free food and visited more than 20 booths advertising the various Hillel affiliated organizations, ranging from community service groups to baking clubs.
“We like to tell students we are their Jewish home away from home,” said Rabbi Sue Silberberg, executive director of Hillel.
Silberberg estimated between 500 and 1000 students would attend the barbecue.
Freshmen Katie Smith and Julia Rubenstein said they came to the barbecue to meet new people and figure out how to get involved with Jewish life on campus.
“I was really involved with the Jewish community in high school, and I wanted to stay involved,” Rubenstein said.
Rubenstein said the Shabbat dinner she attended Friday night has been her favorite Hillel event so far.
Greeting students entering the barbecue was Carrie Seleman, a junior on the Hillel student board of directors, who said the people are the best part of Hillel.
“When you walk into this building, there is always something going on,” Seleman said. “People always invite you to join them.”
Jackie Gallagher, a sophomore on the student board of directors, agreed, and said Hillel helps her maintain her Jewish faith in college.
“Judaism is a big part of my life, so it was really great to meet a lot of people who share that,” Gallagher said.
Hooshir A Cappella, IU’s co-ed Jewish A Cappella group, serenaded attendees both inside and outside the house during the evening.
Marissa Shrell, a senior in Hooshir a Cappella, said the group consists of about 10 Jewish and non-Jewish students and sings both Jewish and American music.
“We hang out and practice in the Hillel house three times a week,” she said.
Auditions for Hooshir A Cappella will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 and 10 at the Hillel Center.
Other upcoming events include call-out days all of this week, a barbecue at McNutt on Sunday and Shabbat dinners every Friday.
Haley Cohen, a junior on the Hillel board of directors, said she hopes to change the dynamic of Hillel from a place students come to for special events to something that is a part of their daily lives.
“We’re looking for it to be a pit stop during the day to hang out between classes, do some homework, hang out with some kids and become more of just an everyday thing rather than just some place you go on Shabbat,” she said.
Nate Saed, a senior on the student board of directors, said the goal is to make Hillel the best environment possible.
“If I can duplicate what Hillel did for me for other students, I would love to do that,” he said.
