by: Darren Levin and Shlomit Cohen
After a long week replete with anticipation and excitement, we finally embarked on our first visit to Washington University in St. Louis. After a few plane rides, we entered the Hillel on campus, and had the opportunity to spend time with some of the students in the student lounge, followed by a meaningful Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv. After a delectable dinner with approximately 100 students who are involved with Hillel on campus, we enjoyed an Oneg, including singing, stories, and Divrei Torah. Sam Zakai, a freshman from NYC who has quickly become involved in Jewish leadership on campus, gave us a tour of the aesthetic campus of Wash U. and Martin Schaefer, an upperclassman from Germany who is currently studying Biophysics and has been instrumental with improving the quality of Kosher food on campus, assisted us in our return to our accommodations.

One of the highlights of Shabbat was Seudah Shlishit. Prior to our visit, Paula Sass, one of the leaders of the Jewish Student Union, along with Sam, organized a Minyan for Mincha, followed by a fun-filled meal, featuring home-made pasta, tuna fish salad, cake, and other treats. The spirit, student Dvar-Torah, and exciting Havdalah left us with a great impression of Washington University’s warm, close-knit Jewish community. During our Sunday morning informal breakfast meeting with some of the students, we discussed our Simchat Torah plans and other exciting projects for the year. We can’t wait until our next visit to St. Louis!!