Abbe Center for Jewish Life Director Lorinda Weinstock hosts a discussion
with students at the Oneg Shabbat Reception in the Abbe Center for
Jewish Life.
At Hobart and William Smith, Jewish life is all about community. Situated directly across the street from Temple Beth-El, the Abbe Center provides the perfect location for cultivating relationships between HWS students and the Geneva community. Students are invited to join the campus Hillel Chapter or attend services and become involved in the congregation.
In the short time since the Abbe Center has been open, Jewish life on campus has seen an irrefutable growth in participation in all of its programming from Friday night Shabbat dinners to the annual Hanukkah party with local youth.
The Abbe Center currently hosts celebrations throughout the academic year, including Rosh Hashanah Eve dinner, the pre-fast dinner before Yom Kippur, Chaplain Lesley Adams' Pasta Night during the Sukkoth holiday, Holocaust Awareness Week programming as well as Friday night Shabbat dinners and programs. March of Remembrance and Hope planning meetings are also held at the Abbe Center, as are special receptions during Reunion, graduation and family weekends.
The programming at the Abbe Center is open to everyone regardless of cultural or religious background. From inspiring speakers during Holocaust Remembrance Week to Friday night Shabbat dinners prepared in the Tina Wasserman Kosher Kitchen, the Colleges offer an entire range of events and courses related to Judaism and Judaic studies.
Whether it's sharing a Rosh Hashanah service with members of the HWS and Geneva community or sharing a conversation with a professor about Judaism, Jewish Life at HWS is multifaceted and ever-growing.
While many students will ring in the new year at home, Rebecca Ditchek '13, Brianne Ellis '13, Emily Hamburger '13, Jenna Lohre '12 and Stephen Wolff '12 will be retracing their ethnic roots in Tzfat, Israel, as part of a collaboration between HWS Hillel, the Abbe Center for Jewish Life, and Livnot U'Lehibanot, a program that facilitates exploration of Israel and Jewish heritage through hands-on ... More >>
Most have been told that learning to laugh at oneself is essential to weathering the barbs life may throw, and many feel that humor is key to becoming a better person. However, speaker Sander L. Gilman begs to differ. On Monday, April 4 at 7 p.m. in the Geneva Room, Gilman will deliver a talk, "When Did the Jews Become Funny: A New Debate about the Limits of Representation after 9/11 or an Olde... More >>
Temple Beth-El, HWS Hillel and The Abbe Center for Jewish Life will host a tribute service to the late composer and singer Debbie Friedman on Friday, Feb. 18, at Temple Beth-El, 755 S. Main St. The service will feature Freidman's music with reflections offered by Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ... More >>
For more information about Jewish Life at HWS, please contact:
Lorinda Weinstock
Abbe Center for Jewish Life Director and Hillel Adviser
