By Erin Engelson
The Hillel house was packed. Students noshed and schmoozed while eating food reminiscent of mom’s Jewish kitchen. The sights and smells of potatoes, roast turkey and kosher brownies filled the room. The first floor of the small house echoed with the sounds of the questions: “Where are you from?” and “What’s your major?”
Last Wednesday was the first night of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, signaling 10 days to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
“Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kip-pur are a very inspiring time of year,” said James Ross, associate professor of journalism and the director of the Jewish Studies Program. “We talk about looking back on our accomplishments and try to make plans to be better people in the coming year.”
Rosh Hashanah lasts for two days and two nights. Before festivities at the Hillel House Nor-theastern offered services in the Sacred Space in Ell Hall, and services will take place for Yom Kippur Friday at both the Sacred Space and Hillel house on St. Stephen Street.
The services, led by Rabbi Jane Kenereck of the Jewish Theolo-gical Seminary, were a time for Northeastern’s Jews to “reflect on all the good in their lives,” said Hillel Director Beth Meltzer. “It’s a time for new beginnings and excitement.”
The Rabbi read from a traditional prayer book but then lightened the mood with an inspiring poem and made references to Bruce Springsteen lyrics, urging those in attendance to make the most of the coming year.
After the services, all who were interested walked over to the Hillel house. There they enjoyed the traditional challah and apples and honey served at Rosh Hashanah dinners.
“The honey signifies a sweet new year,” Meltzer said.
The food was prepared by Rubin’s Kosher Catering of Brookline.
Northeastern has a relatively small Jewish population compared to other schools. Only about 8 percent of students are practicing Jews, Meltzer said. Boston University, by contrast, has about 3,000 Jewish students, or about 20 percent of the student body, Meltzer said.
“We’re doing what we can to make this a place that attracts more Jewish students,” Ross said.
The extensive services put on by Hillel, combined with the growing Jewish Studies Program, are advances in reaching that goal, he said.
“Especially during the High Holidays, it really hits freshmen and we want to make them feel like this is their Jewish home away from home,” she said.
Northeastern’s Jewish student population has been growing over the past five years, making events like High Holiday services, dinners and get-togethers more popular on campus, Ross and Meltzer said. Meltzer said the percentage of Jewish students has grown from 4.9 percent in 1992.
“There was a lot of interest during Welcome Week, and we expect to see a lot of students during the holidays,” she said.
Students that attended the Wednesday night services and dinner were pleased with what they experienced.
“It’s weird going somewhere where things are done differently than what you’re used to,” said Danielle Tarloff, a freshman journalism major. “But it’s nice.”
