The Jewish Student Union conducted their annual Rosh Hashanah meeting on Sept. 17. Over 35 members were present for their fourth meeting in Room 3716.
In honor of the Jewish New Year that signifies the beginning of the High Holidays, JSU made honey jars to symbolize a sweet new year and the countdown to Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah began at sundown on Sept. 22 and will conclude on the evening of Sept. 24.
“Today’s activity was the perfect way to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year,” JSU’s Houston City Director Rabbi Nati Stern said. “We’re able to discuss the idea of celebrating the New Year by decorating honey jars and giving out honey sticks, so that everyone can have a sweet New Year.”
During Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people traditionally eat apples and honey, as well as a round challah. Apples and honey are symbolic of hopes for the upcoming year, leading into a 10-day period of self-reflection between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Stern said he recognizes the impact JSU has had on the large Jewish population within Bellaire, giving teens a safe space to connect with friends and learn about Jewish culture.
“Additionally, with the rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world, having a safe space for Jewish teens with adult mentors has become a greater priority for our community,” Stern said. “JSU is here each week to create that. Celebrating Judaism should be fun and meaningful, and dozens of teens are looking forward to JSU every Wednesday.”
Second-year JSU member and sophomore Maya Holliday said that being a member of the Jewish Student Union has allowed her to “surround herself” with other Jewish students.
“I bonded with some of my Jewish friends more,” Holliday said. “[We] did fun activities together to ensure that our new year is sweet.”
JSU made caramel apples in a previous meeting. JSU’s future meetings include an informative meeting regarding the High Holidays. To follow JSU’s future events, follow their Instagram page @bellaire.jsu.
