Student Story l Ellie Sherman

Hillel is an argument, a heated discussion,
Over the meaning of one verse of Torah,
Translated across 12 different opinions.
Hillel is an annoying obsession with The Prince of Egypt,
A rant about a cinematic masterpiece,
Until everyone, and I mean everyone,
Is tired of hearing about it.
Hillel is uncontrolled tears,
Surrounded by people I only just met,
Reading a prayer in honor of the 11 Jews,
Who won’t get to live the rest of their lives as proud as I am.
But Hillel is also,
“Hey, you did a great job reading at the ceremony”
From a classmate I didn’t even know was Jewish.
Hillel is entering a room of strangers,
And leaving an hour later with a soon to be best friend,
Who would spend the rest of the semester laughing at my awful jokes.
Hillel is wrapping my hands around a mug filled with hot tea,
A “How are you?” never more than a moment away,
And an offered hug for when I need one,
Or better yet, for no reason at all.
Hillel is stepping outside of my comfort zone,
Yet feeling an overwhelming sense of comfort,
Felt for the first time since stepping onto this campus.
Hillel is faith, tradition, compassion, determination,
And everything else in between.
Oh, and we have free cookies, too.