Our students have the privilege of attending an incredible institution in an amazing city. Too often, however, we find that our students feel stuck on campus - whether Tempe, Downtown, Poly, or West. The rigor of coursework and the demands of extracurriculars keep them confined to the same paths, streets, and buildings each day. At Hillel, we strive to help our students discover. Taste of Tempe, a new social cohort, empowers our students to do just that, forcing them outside of the ASU bubble to interact with the diverse, rich, and complex world around them. From dinners at various restaurants around the valley to watching a circus troupe made up of individuals with various disabilities, Taste of Tempe allows our students to develop a deeper connection with the community they call home for so much of the year. All the while, they form relationships with other students that might not encounter otherwise, deepening the connections within our own community at Hillel.
 My name is Taylor Divello (she/her) ‘23 and I’m the VP of External Socials for the Jewish Greek Council for Hillel at ASU. I first attended an event at Hillel during my first year at ASU when a friend in my sorority recommended it. I immediately felt welcomed at that first Shabbat and am grateful to the staff who went out of their way to keep me informed of other opportunities and kept me connected to the greater Hillel community over the years.
I love that I felt so comfortable right away and am glad that I continued coming back. I have made some of my closest college friends through Hillel. Hillel at ASU provides many different options. You can get involved through classes, Shabbat, the Jewish Greek Life Council, and so much more. There is something for everyone no matter your interests or Jewish background! I’ve met many amazing lifelong friends through new experiences including social programs, a trip to Disneyland, and Birthright! I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to go on a trip of a lifetime to learn more about my roots and further my education in Israel. I decided to join the Taste of Tempe cohort this year because I wanted to find something new before I graduate in May. I wanted to continue meeting new Jewish students and I thought this was a great way to venture out and try new restaurants and activities around Tempe with both old and new friends!  Growing up, we only celebrated Jewish holidays when my grandma would visit from out of town. It wasn't until college that I began regularly celebrating with a Jewish community. College is an exploratory time in life. A time when we can try new things without parental guidance. Without Hillel, Jewish students, like me, would lack the support, connection, and tradition that they bring to campus.
I’ll never forget my first Shabbat - walking alone across campus, nervous thinking about what I’d do at Hillel because I’d never celebrated Shabbat before. Upon arriving I immediately felt a sigh of relief as I was greeted by the student president with a smiling face. Hillel quickly became a place I relied on for community and meaningful moments. During the height of COVID last year when many students, including myself, felt like something was missing without being able to gather as a community, Hillel was there. Hillel provided a sense of connectedness and tradition through meals-to-go and stipends for pods of students to celebrate holidays together. I quickly found a new appreciation for celebrating Shabbat and holidays with my closest friends. Hillel consistently offers warm, welcoming, and inclusive ways for students to engage with Judaism throughout the craziness of an undergraduate degree.  Before coming to college, I celebrated most Jewish holidays with my family. I always enjoyed being in the company of my family and having a special time together to celebrate our family traditions. As an out-of-state student, I don’t have the opportunity to spend holidays with my family, which was something I thought about before attending a school far from home.
As soon as I arrived at ASU, I found comfort at Hillel when I was immediately welcomed with open arms every day, but especially for holidays. I was also able to find a real family away from home because I had a place to celebrate Shabbat each Friday night. It is incredibly important that I, and other students, have a safe and welcoming place like Hillel to celebrate the Jewish holidays. For me, I have found that being an out-of-state student can be hard, especially in finding a place to celebrate holidays when your family isn’t close by. Having Hillel has given me a place to go and spend the holidays with my new family, my Hillel family. |
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