Student forms Jewish organization for group worship, fellowship
Ryan Donovan
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: News
"My baby is being born," says Maoz Itshakov.
The 25-year-old business management student is not referring to the arrival of a newborn child. His "baby" doesn't need new clothes and has no need for lavish, overpriced toys and stuffed animals. It won't even need to be tucked in at night with a sweet lullaby playing in the background.
"Shalom Friends" is the name of Maoz's baby, and it is an opportunity for Jewish students to come together as one.
In order for this group to be recognized as an organization, members will need the support of the campus. That has not been a problem so far. In fact, Maoz says even the process of getting signatures of support was easy.
"I didn't know what to expect," he says. "People were excited to sign it. It didn't surprise me, because usually when you're educated [college students], you usually accept people."
In fact, many non-Jewish students are asking him to join the group. Maoz also says those in Student Life have also been very supportive starting this group.
In response to the requests to join, Shalom Friends is offering non-Jewish students the opportunity to join as "friends." Those students will end up on a "Friend's List." They will pay a $10 membership fee, which will last them their entire college career, and will also receive a shirt and certificate.
"In the Jewish faith we respect other religions," Maoz says.
The organization is not official yet. The group presented at a recent FSC House meeting, and they are currently in a 30-day trial period. If no problems arise during this time frame, they should become an official campus organization.
Maoz says that they were set to call the organization "Young Israel," but had to change the name due to copyright issues.
Though they are still waiting to become official, Maoz and other students have been an active "unofficial" group for quite some time. They come together for Friday night services, Sabbath dinner and holy days. Maoz says he used to observe these days alone with his wife, Liron, but now they come together as a small community.
The 25-year-old business management student is not referring to the arrival of a newborn child. His "baby" doesn't need new clothes and has no need for lavish, overpriced toys and stuffed animals. It won't even need to be tucked in at night with a sweet lullaby playing in the background.
"Shalom Friends" is the name of Maoz's baby, and it is an opportunity for Jewish students to come together as one.
In order for this group to be recognized as an organization, members will need the support of the campus. That has not been a problem so far. In fact, Maoz says even the process of getting signatures of support was easy.
"I didn't know what to expect," he says. "People were excited to sign it. It didn't surprise me, because usually when you're educated [college students], you usually accept people."
In fact, many non-Jewish students are asking him to join the group. Maoz also says those in Student Life have also been very supportive starting this group.
In response to the requests to join, Shalom Friends is offering non-Jewish students the opportunity to join as "friends." Those students will end up on a "Friend's List." They will pay a $10 membership fee, which will last them their entire college career, and will also receive a shirt and certificate.
"In the Jewish faith we respect other religions," Maoz says.
The organization is not official yet. The group presented at a recent FSC House meeting, and they are currently in a 30-day trial period. If no problems arise during this time frame, they should become an official campus organization.
Maoz says that they were set to call the organization "Young Israel," but had to change the name due to copyright issues.
Though they are still waiting to become official, Maoz and other students have been an active "unofficial" group for quite some time. They come together for Friday night services, Sabbath dinner and holy days. Maoz says he used to observe these days alone with his wife, Liron, but now they come together as a small community.
Be the first to comment on this story