There’s something so absurd, yet beautiful about Friday night shabbat in Isla Vista. If you have ever been in Isla Vista on a Friday night, you would have noticed the theatrical display of drunk college students wandering the street, loud music, people moving in every direction, and packed parties in every corner of the square-mile neighborhood. In a small nest of this weekly festival of chaos, lies a small, yet powerful community of Jewish students that still light candles, eat challah with friends, pray, and come together to celebrate the Jewish traditional day of rest. You can imagine these traditions are very separate from each other, yet they also overlap in a weird, yet synchronized harmony.  Friday evening Shabbats are my favorite time of the week as someone who is Jewish. It gives me a chance to relax and reflect on the week prior, regardless of whether my days were full of beach trips (shoutout The Plunge Group!!!)  or sitting in front of canvas for hours at a time. Each Shabbat, I put on my nicest clothes and take a stroll right before sunset to the Isla Vista Hillel, where the Shabbat festivities begin. On my stroll to Hillel, I see the party goers of Isla Vista prepare themselves for the night with beer pong in their front yard, the sounds of someone's pre-game, and groups of people on their way to whichever frat is throwing that night. They, too, are getting together to celebrate with their friends and community, just in another form. As I step into the Shabbat sanctuary, the loud atmosphere of the outside world seems to dim. As the Jewish community gets together to sing, pray, and eat, this pocket of calm is created in a neighborhood that seems like it never sleeps.  Shabbat isn’t an escape from the Isla Vista party life; it's a perspective. Knowing that there is a space to pray amidst the noise makes Shabbat seem that much more intentional- even if you can hear the reminisce of frat row from the shul. The contrast of Shabbat during a night of partying is what helps the Isla Vista Jewish community become more noticeable. In fact, the Jewish community embraces the diversity of Isla Vista by bringing our culture to the neighborhood with Havdalah's on the beach, and Rabbi Gershon of the local Chabad Celebrating Simchat Torah on Del Playa Drive while chanting “Am Yisrael Chai!” Another one of my favorite moments was when my friends and I were together during the AEPi “Jewmanji” party, and we stepped aside from the party to sing havdalah. I will admit I was a bit sloppy singing the Hebrew because the keg that AEPi had brought was starting to get to me. Shabbat is a quiet and reflective ritual in Isla Vista, yet it also screams volumes that there is such a strong and resilient Jewish community that doesn’t stop its tradition amidst the notorious party town.  There isn’t just one way to celebrate Shabbat- some light candles, some turn off electronics, some go to their local synagogue, and some pregame before heading to Chabad or Hillel. Each is a valid way to recognize and be a part of the Jewish tradition. For a lot of college students, it’s their first time tapping into their Jewish identity and celebrating the day of rest. The Jewish organizations in Isla Vista, such as Hillel and Chabad, are so welcoming to anyone who is willing to celebrate Shabbat with them, whether it’s your first time or thousandth. I felt so welcomed when I was a freshman, and I became friends with the vibrant Jewish community very well.  I would argue that partying and Shabbat aren’t as separate as they appear. Judaism calls for you to let go and relax on the day of Shabbat- For some, that's reciting a prayer, and for others, that's drunkenly crashing on the couch of a random party on the 66 block of Del Playa. It seems different, but for a lot of Jews, those two activities can go hand in hand. In one instance, I asked my roommate, Xander, if his Judaism collides with the party life of Isla Vista, and he said that he feels comfortable with both lifestyles and does not feel like they interact in a negative way.  Like many others, I would be lying if I said I haven't gone to shabbat services as well as participated in a sophisticated game of “rage-cage” on the same Friday night. Of course, the next morning I filled the hangover left from the night prior with a bagel from Yetz’s and a smoothie from Blenders.  (Classic I.V. Breakfast). There is something deeply Jewish about celebrating with your friends during a Friday night in I.V. The Torah teaches that God set apart and sanctified the 7th day of the week (Shabbat), which does not mean stop completely in your tracks… Instead, it is a time to take a step back from the toils of the week to truly become present  in the moment. Some people believe being present means silence and individual meditation; however, I think it can also be a time to truly feel more alive. Shabbat wasn’t meant to be boring… Actually, the opposite. Shabbat is a time to dance like no one's watching, eat until laughter consumes the dinner table, to be silly with friends, love unconditionally, and be unapologetically… human . That is why so many Jews, including myself, can embrace both our holy ancient tradition of Shabbat, as well as engage in the Friday night Isla Vista festivities. Next Shabbat, I encourage you to truly be present in the moment and feel the sweetness that life can offer when embracing the present moment.

Thanksgiving break rolls around and the streets of IV are empty. For most college students, this is the time to go home and be with family. However, for those studying further away from home, a four-day break is not enough time to catch two flights and see the people they love. For this November issue of Fig and Vine, I’ve decided to interview two study abroad students and one exchange student, asking how they’ve found friends that have become like family in various parts of the globe.  The first student I spoke with was Kylee Sciara , a 3rd year Film & Media and Communications double major studying in Barcelona. We chatted about some weekend travels, Shabbats at Chabad, and the value of saying yes to new things. I asked what’s been most meaningful about her experience, and she replied,  “I think one thing that is very meaningful is the energy that everyone has when you’re studying abroad. All of the other study abroad students have such a desire to see the world. You can tell that everyone studying abroad has such an open mind to do new things. I think learning about new cultures is so meaningful and important. It’s so special that I get to experience so many different cultures when I’m traveling around because I would never come into contact with this in America.”  I then asked about the different cultural experiences she’s had abroad. She filled me in on some of her adventures.  “When I was in Copenhagen, Denmark, I was trying to do something within the culture. So there we went to a sauna, which is really big culturally there, to do a cold plunge and go in the sauna. That was really cool and fun, it was like a little spa day. Then I went to Morocco, and that was probably the most different culture. It’s very different from the Western world. So seeing the culture that they had there was cool. I also went to Albania, and that was beautiful. Beautiful views and palaces and mountains and trees everywhere! Albania was my favorite trip for sure.”  Although Kylee spent most of her weekends exploring a new country, she has also spent a handful of her Friday nights in Barcelona, where she seeked to celebrate Shabbat with her newfound community.  “When I go to Chabad, it’s always a really positive experience. I always gravitate towards the few other college students that are there. They’re usually also from different countries or regions of Spain, so it’s really cool to hear about how they practice Judaism in other areas. Having a safe space amidst all the chaos here is really cool.” On the topic of being with community, I also asked Kylee if she had any Thanksgiving plans despite not being in the U.S. this year.  “Some of my friends have their parents coming here for Thanksgiving. My family is unfortunately not. But we are doing a friendsgiving on Tuesday. The UC Education Abroad Program is also hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for us. So we all get to dress up and go to a fancy venue. There is supposed to be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner there. So that’s how my roommates and I are celebrating Thanksgiving this year.” I concluded my conversion with Kylee by asking if there’s anything she learned during her travels that she’d like to take back to California.  “I hope I will bring the willingness to say yes and do things that kinda sound silly at first. Like when my friends said they wanted to go to Albania, I was like, ‘Albania, what? That’s such a random country, why would we go there?’ But it actually ended up being my favorite trip. Or, I really tried to max out every day. So even if it was a chill day in Barcelona, I would try to travel to a new area or be active to make sure I wasn’t wasting a day. So I hope I take with me the practice of never wasting a day and always trying to do new things.”  The next student I spoke to about the quarter abroad was Nadiv Meltzer , a 4th year Psychology major studying in Madrid. We discussed the importance of friendships overseas, old and new. We also talked about how travel can reveal the world to be a kinder place than what we see on social media and the news.  I asked Nadiv to tell me about his experiences meeting people abroad.  “Making friends within my university has been incredibly meaningful to me. Those kinds of cross-cultural connections, mostly with European people either studying abroad for a semester or spending four years at the university. Getting to learn about their life experiences, what led them to where they are, and also, getting to learn about and understand those various cultures has been really cool and a very meaningful experience.”  I asked Nadiv to elaborate on making these new connections, especially as a Jewish student from the United States.  “Not only is one of the benefits of being a diasporic people is that we get to find people who we can feel so comfortable with in so many different parts of the world. But actually, the world at large is not as scary of a place as many people think. To experience that abroad, through my travels and through living in Spain, is something very cool and special. I’m making those connections with non-Jewish people as well. It’s nice to have friends in lots of places.”  However, when it comes to Jewish life in Madrid, Nadiv is also able to turn to a familiar comfort. “I’ve been lucky enough to have some really good Jewish friends here in Madrid as well. So really, thanks to that, I’ve had the opportunity to go to them for the high holidays. I’ve also had the opportunity to experience a couple Shabbats and get togethers. I’d say the main organization that did that is Olami, and also the conservative synagogue in Madrid has been very available and supportive.” For more context, Olami is a center for Jewish students and young adult professionals living in Madrid. They host Shabbats as well as educational and networking events.  I was also curious about Nadiv’s travels across Europe. He filled me in on two of his most memorable weekend excursions.  “My older sister is currently a member of the Peace Corps and she’s in the country North Macedonia fulfilling her duties. This weekend I traveled and visited her. It was so incredibly fun to see her life and how she’s living. It’s a significantly different lifestyle to anything I’m used to. Few of the people I’ve met in any of the places I’ve traveled to are very similar to that place and that way of living. It was incredibly eye-opening. Also, my sister and I are very close, so it was just really great to spend that time with her.”  “Another trip that was incredibly incredibly fun was when a bunch of friends from Santa Barbara came to visit. I’m living with a good buddy of mine here in Madrid, Amit, so they all came and visited us. Over that weekend, we rented a car and drove down to the south of Spain. We did a whole southeastern tour, on the coast, on the beach. We met a whole bunch of people. We saw three major cities in the south of Spain. Just road tripping through a foreign country with some of my best friends was a very cool experience.” Finally, I asked Nadiv about his Thanksgiving plans in Spain.  “Like I alluded to previously, I have a really good group of American friends who also are in Madrid at the same time as me. So we are going to get together, have a potluck dinner, and probably try to recreate some of those classic American Thanksgiving foods to the best of our ability. We will do all of the traditional Thanksgiving activities like going around the table and saying what we’re thankful for. Yeah, I think Thanksgiving, even though it’s mainly celebrated in the United States, is not really a geographically restricted holiday. It’s just about being with family. So I’m lucky I’m with such close friends that they’re like my family. I’ll still get to have a really meaningful Thanksgiving experience and I’m really excited about that.” As I wrapped up my conversation with Nadiv, he emphasized how beneficial, eye-opening, and fun study abroad has been.  “I feel so incredibly lucky. I cannot recommend it more highly to anybody who thinks that they might be interested. I’d say do it do it do it, 100% do it.”  The last student that I had the pleasure of chatting with was Adina Frankental , a 1st year exchange student from Sweden. She is studying in the U.S. to receive the Creative Writing Certificate from SBCC. My first question was what drew her to this program.  “In Sweden, we have different programs in our high schools. So I went to a technology program. It was very much physics, very much math, and in my first year I realized I don’t like this. I’m going to do a business and economics degree in university, but I felt before that, I needed to do something creative. I have always liked writing, reading, and creating stories. I really wanted to take a gap year and explore those interests more. I also love traveling so much. So I thought I could somehow combine traveling and writing, and I thought it would be fun to take some classes. SBCC had this creative writing certificate. I have never been to the U.S. before, or this side of the Earth before, so I thought it would be a fun opportunity to study and improve my English.” I also asked Adina about her first impressions of California.  “I feel that in Sweden, everyone is very introverted. Here, everyone is so social and outgoing and more expressive. I really like that sort of environment. So I’ve had a very positive impression of California.” She then told me about her travels to San Francisco, San Diego, and Yosemite.  “[Yosemite] was like a religious experience. Just the scale of everything. It was so wow, so beautiful. I felt like a little kid because the trees and the mountains were so huge. It also reminded me of home because I live in the forest. I took so many pictures. I probably took half the storage space in my phone with just these pictures.”  Adina and I could very much relate over our shared love for nature, and continued to chat about Yosemite and other national parks. She also told me about a hiking class she’s taking at SBCC, which has taken her to local spots like Montecito Hot Springs, Cold Springs, and Rattlesnake Canyon.  I asked Adina to recall one of her favorite memories from this semester. She delved into a very sweet story.  “We had international students week one week before classes started. We met a bunch of different students from all over the world. I randomly decided with my roommates to go to the city with some girls to hang out and get to know each other a bit better. It turned out that one of them, who is a Japanese girl, was going to become 20 the day after. We were like ‘what are your plans’ and she was like ‘oh I don’t have any plans, I don’t know anyone or anything.’ So we were like ‘but you’re 20, you have to do something.’ So we made a surprise birthday party. We got a cake for her, and some snacks, and we took out blankets to the beach and listened to music. We had her birthday on the beach with the sunset. It was so special, we just danced around on the sand while it got dark outside. It was a very nice moment with these people I only met the day before.”  I also wanted to hear about Adina’s involvement with Jewish life in Santa Barbara, and what has been similar and different to her Jewish experiences back home.  “In Sweden, I grew up in a really small town. I was the only Jewish family in my small town. So I never had Jewish friends growing up besides my cousins in some bigger cities. So I really wanted to explore that part of my life more. Since I knew Hillel was an organization, I reached out and they responded. I got in touch with a representative with Hillel and I went to some events as well. I think the first time I went to Hillel was Rosh HaShanah, and it was a great experience for me. In Sweden, the closest synagogue is in a bigger city a couple of hours away. So I haven’t been to a synagogue that often. But when I have, it’s always been very different. Here, you sing songs in English as well. That’s so cool to me because I’ve only sung them in Hebrew and I don’t speak Hebrew. It was just a very nice moment where I felt very connected to everyone.”  On the topic of new traditions of connection, I asked Adina if she would be celebrating Thanksgiving while in the U.S.  “Actually, the Japanese friend I was telling you about lives with a host family. They’ve invited my roommate and I to their place to have Thanksgiving dinner there, an American Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is not really a thing in Sweden at all. My mother actually grew up in Thailand and went to international school there. There were a lot of American people there, so she always makes turkey on Thanksgiving for us. But we don’t really celebrate Thanksgiving besides that. So yeah, I’m really excited for this year.”  My final question for Adina was if there was anything she’d experienced or learned that she’d like to bring back home with her.  “I feel like I got to know myself much better by coming here. I came here with a friend from my high school. We’re roommates together, and I feel like we’ve become better friends than before. So that’s something I’m bringing home to me. Also, I used to be very scared about approaching people and talking to people, and going to events alone. But that fear has completely vanished for me. I’ll say ‘oh, that sounds fun, I’ll just go there’ and if I don’t have anyone to go with me, that’s fine too. I’ve just become more comfortable in myself. If I can move across the Atlantic directly after finishing high school, it’s not that bad to talk to a new person.”  Adina concluded our conversation with a very similar sentiment to Nadiv’s perspective on study abroad.  “To anybody who is thinking about going abroad and getting that experience, I think that you definitely should. I’ve learned so much coming here. I got to see a new culture, see new places and people. When you go on a vacation somewhere, you only know that place on a surface level. But when you study abroad you have so much more time to fall in love with the place and actually meet people who can bring you into that culture.”  While it’s never seamlessly easy to embrace unfamiliar spaces, this is a prime time of our lives to say yes to new opportunities. Kylee, Nadiv, and Adina can all attest to encountering incredible sites and people, learning more about themselves, and making deep connections while studying abroad. Not only did they have such positive stories to tell, but they also got to take part in Jewish community no matter where they were, as well as spend Thanksgiving with people they’ve become close with in a short amount of time. According to these three students, international study results in the best of memories, plus friendships from all across the globe that can stand a lifetime.  Whether at home or abroad, with friends or with family, Fig and Vine wishes you a cozy and meaningful holiday season.

On the weekend of November 7th-9th, families and loved ones of UCSB students gathered to attend various events held on and off campus over the weekend. On the Friday of November 7th, Santa Barbara Hillel held its annual Parent and Family Shabbat aimed at giving loved ones of Santa Barbara Hillel goers a taste of the Shabbat magic. A mixer, the new addition to Shabbats at Santa Barbara Hillel, preceded by services, was held at 5:00 pm for students and families, featuring a long table of charcuterie and refreshments for families to enjoy before heading in to services.  Parent Interviews: During the course of the night, I had the privilege and pleasure of pulling aside some parents of students in attendance and having a conversation with them about their personal biographies as well as how their child came to become a Gaucho. The first person I interviewed during the pre-service mixer was Morgan Guttman’s mother, Deborah Ellen. They hail from Simi Valley, California, and upon asking how Morgan came to choose UCSB, she talked about how she was debating between UCSB and Cal Poly Slo, but they decided to stop at UCSB on the way home and Deborah mentions how Morgan lit up and loved it and felt like it was the right place for her.  Deborah mentions that she was a former Gaucho, in fact, and didn’t realize how neat it was that her daughter decided to go to the same school and that they bonded over that fact. I asked Morgan’s mom to regale me with a fun tidbit about Morgan going to UCSB and she mentions that while apartment hunting in Trigo, Deborah used to live on Pasado and came to find out that the apartment Morgan decided on was the same building that her mother used to live in and the room that she ended up living in shared a wall with the room her mother used to live in! I continued to ask about what Deborah was involved in during her time at UCSB, to which she told me that she went to Santa Barbara Hillel only for High Holy Days and was involved in Chi Omega during her college years, and was a Psychology major! Deborah and Morgan have a shared passion for theatre and love to go together as well as sing together. She mentions that when she, Morgan, and her sister are together, they all laugh and enjoy each other's company so much. I then finished up my interview by asking her what her favorite thing about her daughter is to which she says “her heart, she’s just a good human,” and I couldn’t agree more! After services had commenced, I was able to pull aside another friend and his mother, Saben Spira and his mom, Beth Spira. Their hometown is currently Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but they formerly lived in Westwood, LA, California. Upon asking why her son decided on UCSB, she said she had wanted him to go here since the environment was more relaxed and supportive than many other UC schools, as well as he had a network of friends going into it. I asked her about her educational background, and she told me about going to college at the University of Wisconsin for her undergraduate degree in Communications, then later on attending the California School of Professional Psychology for her master's and doctorate in Psychology.  I asked her if she had any crazy stories about her son during his time at UCSB, to which she told me that he went to the grocery store! Wow! I later checked in with the two of them at dinner to see how the night had been for her and Saben, and she told me that the community at Santa Barbara Hillel seems amazing and was impressed with the great student leadership. After services, students and families gathered in the hall for kiddush and other blessings before filing into the social hall for a salmon dinner. After checking in with the Spira family, I pulled aside Jacob Rosen’s parents, David and Yael, for an interview at dinner. Their hometown is Agoura Hills, California, and upon asking why their child chose UCSB, they mention it is because Jacob’s father, David, went there when he was younger, majoring in Anthropology. Jacob’s mother went to Hebrew University in Jerusalem, majoring in Communications, and later graduated from CSUN, pursuing a master's from Gratz College in Pennsylvania. In fact, Master's run in the family since Jacob’s father is also currently getting his masters in Computer Science from CU Boulder, and Jacob plans to get his master's degree following his bachelor's this year at UCSB. David Rosen, during his time at UCSB, was involved in the school’s newspaper publication, the Daily Nexus, as a photo editor, as well as being involved in the cycling team. I asked his family how the night has been going for them and Jacob, to which they responded that they love seeing Jacob in such a thriving Jewish environment, especially after October 7th, and that he’s found a Jewish home away from home. They mention that it is their 3rd year at Santa Barbara Hillel for Parent and Family Shabbat, and every year it gets better, and that it is so wonderful to see everyone engaging. They are thrilled about the fact that Jacob was able to start at UCSB the same year Santa Barbara Hillel Executive Director Josh Levine started. I then asked his family if they had heard any crazy stories about their son at UCSB. They mentioned the annual event, Deltopia, as well as the fact that he was able to speak on behalf of Jewish students at the Associated Students Senate about what he has experienced at UCSB. To sum up the night, it was a pleasure to meet some parents of friends at Santa Barbara Hillel and grasp the bigger picture of the families and places they come from. The night was a warm and welcoming occasion for students and families, and remains one of my favorite Shabbats of the year.

Spending Shabbat in is often a therapeutic way to restart the week and prepare to return to work or school. Calling a friend or loved one to schmooze over dinner and watch the candles flickering out is the perfect way to unwind.  People around the world celebrate Shabbat differently, and each group's tradition is just as valuable and interesting as the next. We can get a glimpse into people’s homes this Shabbat and learn about their traditions and their love for one another.

This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to travel across Israel with a cohort of Jewish and non-Jewish student leaders on our campus. What sets this trip apart from other Israel tours is its emphasis on absorbing nuanced perspectives about the land, and what it means to live there. There were many moments of intensity on our trip, where we grappled with a multitude of difficult realities faced in the region. I am proud to have traveled with such an intelligent, compassionate, and open-minded group of students. Already on the first night of the trip, my newfound friends asked loaded questions regarding how to spot media bias, how to speak about conflict empathetically, and even if it was even ethical to be in Israel at a time of war. Over the next 10 days, we would discover an array of voices across Israel advocating for truth and for peace, as well as the history and current policies of the land itself. One of which we all agree we were moved by was Arab Israeli journalist Lucy Arish, who made the claim that a lack of understanding and a fear of the “other” is what drives violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Another is New York Times writer Rami Nazzal, a Palestinian with East Jerusalem residency that shared immense frustration with both Israeli and Palestinian policy. He pointed out discriminatory government actions and strategies that incite violence on both sides, but also how the majority of people living in the region would like to see themselves the same as their neighbor. With these stories, students were able to look at Israel/Palestine critically, but also devote themselves to their time there. Together, we experienced the beautiful Golan Heights, the bustling Machane Yehuda market, the historical Old City landmarks, and the iconic Tel Aviv beach. My friends quickly noted the diversity of languages, religions, clothing, and food that surrounded us. Moreover, we grasped the warmth and joy of the Israeli spirit. Now that we are back home and holding onto these memories, we would like to share the aspects of the trip we found most meaningful with you!  “Perspectives was a life changing experience! Visiting Jerusalem’s holiest sites to its bustling shuk, Tel Aviv’s high tech landscape to a child heart surgery non-profit, we engaged in Israel’s ancient and modern culture. Talking with both Israelis and Palestinians, we learned about the multiethnic inhabitants first hand. Swimming in the Dead Sea and sailing the Galilee, we appreciated the beautiful land. Experiencing the Nova festival and border regions, we learned about the political and human realities.” -Danny Rose, Graduate Historical Sites  “The Sea of Galilee and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre were very special for me as a Christian.” -Xander Hepburn, 4th Year  The Old City of Jerusalem is at the heart of many religious beliefs. Most notably, Jerusalem holds the third holiest site in Islam (the Al-Aqsa Mosque), the holiest site in Christianity (the Church of the Holy Sepulchre), and the holiest site in Judaism (the kotel, or Western Wall). Many of the Jewish participants on the trip, including myself, had never gotten to experience the important sites for Christians and Muslims. We all learned so much from one another on this portion of the trip, and got to enjoy the fascinating history and intricate design of each of these places.  “I was extremely surprised to learn that Muslims are given preferential treatment at Al-Aqsa mosque, whereas Jews and gentiles are purposefully segregated from the mosque. One typically hears the counter narrative: that Muslims are barred and Jews welcome. Very interesting and surprising.”  -Neo Harter, 4th Year “I visited the western wall a few times but my favorite was when I went barefoot at midnight. I left our hotel intentionally without shoes, and enjoyed the cobblestone of Jerusalem. The Western Wall was packed with people. My friend Nick offered his shirt to our female friend Maya because she had uncovered shoulders. That left him in bare overalls but everyone was still respectful and didn’t bother him. There were IDF soldiers carrying rifles all over and I learned that part of their training is to visit the wall. Overall it was an amazing experience I’ll never forget!”  -Xander Hepburn, 4th Year We also visited the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. There, we took a boat out on the water and enjoyed views of Tiberias and the Golan Heights.  Cultural Experiences  “My favorite moments on the trip were exploring the markets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with the group, and also sharing large meals over stories of family cooking in a Druze village.”  -Connor Fellows, 5th Year Something that stood out to my peers was the diversity of people living in Israel. While the majority of the population is Jewish at 74%, Israel is also 18% Muslim, 1.9% Christian, and 1.6% Druze. Participants noticed that life for Jewish people looks very different in kibbutzim, vs. Jerusalem, vs. Tel Aviv. Along with grasping different streams of Jewish life in Israel, we also got to experience a Druze meal in the village of Kursa-Samia and explore Arab shuks in Jerusalem and Jaffa.  “My most joyful moment on the trip was by far having an interaction with the Palestinian jewelry store owner, Samir, in Jaffa. Being able to visit the town my family is from, and meet Arab civilians who live there and maintain lifestyles, relations, and businesses against many odds, and in such a futile time, inspired me and fills me with joy to this day when I think about it. ” -Olivia Doss, 2nd Year My peers were phenomenal when it came to embracing peoples’ differences, and celebrating what makes these distinct cultures unique and beautiful. Notably, a handful of our participants left with several pieces of garb, including magen david necklaces, kippot, and multi-colored kaffiyas indicating different Arab tribes.   “Something I took back with me was not associating religion with  hate. There has always been judgment in America when it comes to Judaism and Islam as it is a Christian dominant culture. However, after the 9/11 attacks, Islam has seen the worst discrimination in America than ever before. To this very day the consequences of the terrorists still harm those who practice Islamic teachings. The war after October 7th also doesn’t help the case of religion as its own entity. People forget it is the behavior of immoral people that cause harm, not the religion itself. People may use the teachings to justify their actions but at the end of the day it is the individual who has to face judgement for their own decisions.” -Gema Toledo, 4th Year Regarding October 7th and the War in Gaza  “The hardest part of the trip was going to the site of the Nova Festival and bearing witness to such a recent tragic event.”  -Nicholas Tait, 4th Year On our trip we hit the 700th day of war between Israel and Gaza, and 700 days since 251 people were taken hostage by Hamas. On day 700, there were still 48 hostages being held in Gaza, with their families and loved ones relentlessly calling to bring them home. Our group attended the 700 days protest in Jerusalem. This was one of the most meaningful moments on the trip for me. My peers stood together with strangers in the streets of Jerusalem, who have been fighting for their loved ones for almost two years. That act of solidarity showed a deep understanding and care for what Israelis have been through since October 7th.  The next day, we headed to the Gaza envelope to visit the Nova site, the town of Sderot, and Kibbutz Kfar Azza.  “Something that meant a lot to me was meeting with people whose lives were greatly affected by Oct 7th. It was extremely courageous of them to share their stories.”  -Connor Fellows, 5th Year At the Nova site, we heard the story of Nova survivor Rita Yadid. She explained how she’s been working through the trauma by sharing her story, and ensuring that other survivors receive care for their mental health. Despite the many difficulties she’s faced in the past few years, she expressed that gratitude for every day is crucial for her healing and for a fulfilling life.  Later that day, we visited Kibbutz Kfar Azza, the most tragic and complex stop on our trip. At the kibbutz where we were standing, we saw the ruins of the October 7th massacre. We were told stories of the people who lived there, and shown images depicting what it looked like the next day. We were able to step into one of the destroyed homes. There were more bullet holes in the walls than what would be necessary. We were bearing witness to heartless, relentless murder. On the other hand, while we were witnessing all of this, we were hearing bombs drop only four miles away in Gaza. However, as we walked through the rest of the kibbutz, we shared a heartwarming moment that lifted our spirits. Ishika and Gema both recall this as a moment that was meaningful to them. “The most joyful moment of the trip for me was immediately after the most heartbreaking. Kibbutz Kfar Aza was the most gut-wrenching thing I’ve ever experienced, seeing the homes of victims of October 7th. I would say everyone felt heavy grief and it was certainly a defining moment on the trip. But after this, as we were all walking through the Kibbutz, we stumbled upon a group of teenagers that were repainting a building of some sort, and without hesitation, all of us jumped in to join them. It was incredibly touching to be a part of that and a part of the hope and rebuilding for the future. It meant so much to me, I still think about it every single day when I see the paint on my shoes.” -Ishika Sharma, 2nd Year “Their unbreakable spirit had brought hope in my heart.” -Gema Toledo, 4th Year  Lasting Thoughts  In Israel, we were exposed to challenging questions regarding geopolitics, law, and security. We grappled with what it means to defend the Lebanese and Syrian borders, and what it means when Israelis settle in the West Bank. There are religious extremists, but in communities such as Alphai Menashe, Israelis affirm that they are there for the safety of Israel due to its geographical advantage atop hills, overlooking the densely populated center of the country. We also struggled with the notion of Israeli citizenship vs. Palestinian residency, and how Palestinians living in Israel face many disadvantages due to their status. In fact, we spoke with three Palestinians, who especially expressed their resentment toward the Israeli government. However, as stated prior, everyone who met with our group told us that they want to live peacefully among anyone who considers this stretch of land home.  I asked participants what they’re still thinking about since the trip, and what they’ve brought back with them. This is what they said.  “Something that I take back with me is that there are not just two sides but all different points of view with varying degrees of extremity.” -Nicholas Tait, 4th Year “It was tough for me to see a nation that was so divided. We experience that here in the US with our own version of political division, but in Israel, it’s very very intense. It’s literally existential. We experienced a lot of division while we were there. We experienced people with very different ideas talking about it. This was tough to see through the framework of national unity.”  -Neo Harter, 4th Year “Something I’ve taken back with me from the trip is the strength and resilience of the people in the Middle East. I think sometimes we tend to divide the groups in that area and focus on one grief at a time, but in many ways that I look at it, civilians in so many countries are unsafe and have no guarantee of a protective government. It’s really hard being in the United States where I feel that my security is guaranteed after visiting Israel. Many of the people we talked to, Israelis and Palestinians, had no such sense of protection in their own homes.” -Ishika Sharma, 2nd Year “The most significant thing that I have taken back with me from the trip is hope. Being exposed to extraordinary speakers, diverse perspectives and visiting sites significant to conflict and religion, has shown me that despite the trauma and the pain, at the end of the day, people want peace, stability for their kids not to ever know war. We all learned that pushing extremist agendas divides people and leads us further from working towards peace. I have hope because if we keep having conversations and bridging gaps, there will be peace.” -Romi Riss, 2nd Year Moments of Joy  This cohort was an outstanding group of friends that could embrace both the serious and the lighthearted. It’s like we go to the work hard play hard school. I also asked participants what on our trip brought them joy, as these moments are also fundamental in the essence of our Israel experience together.  “The most joyful moment on the trip for me was our first visit to the Machane Yehudah Shuk in Jerusalem. Exploring the Shuk on Thursday night (the best night), we had so much fun. At that point we were three days into the trip, having bonded with this group of old and new friends through our travels, beautiful experiences, and tough conversations. Between the Challah Schnitzel sandwiches and Limon Arak, dancing and singing in the streets, it was incredible.” -Nadiv Meltzer, 4th Year “A moment that brought me joy was when we met the children from Save a Child’s Heart Foundation. I was pretty hung over from the night before since, you know, it’s Tel Aviv; but those kids were the best medicine I could have asked for. Instantaneous relief when I saw them. So funny and so playful. So charismatic and charming. I miss them all the time. I hope my kids are as resilient and uplifting as those guys (they definitely will be).” -Neo Harter, 4th Year  Maybe the Solution to Conflict in the Middle East are the Friends we Made Along the Way I asked participants how they felt traveling in this cohort of student leaders from UCSB. It turns out that we like each other very much :)  “I loved that our speakers and travel group included people who were intimately familiar with Israel’s culture and politics. It made the sites we saw mean more and allowed me to get a deeper understanding of the people and culture. It also showed to me some of the biases in the way they thought about the Israel and Palestine conflict. I came in with an unbiased and uninformed view of the conflict, and I think that helped me to spot the ethical inconsistencies in what they were saying.  Although for the same reason I saw the same thing in some of the Palestinian speakers we talked to. Both sides are entrenched in their views and I think that will make it almost impossible for the conflict to ever end in a peaceful resolution. With that being said this was one of the most impactful experiences of my life, and I cannot thank everyone who was involved enough.” -Anonymous Participant  “Something that meant a lot to me on the trip was the ability to have a small cohort of students who were able to bring up tough or even controversial issues and proceed with them in a respectful way. The ability of our whole student group to have such important conversations about these very serious topics showed me that progress is possible, and gave me hope that seeds can be planted for people to open up their minds to other perspectives.”  -Olivia Doss, 2nd Year “The most meaningful aspect of the trip was the group that we explored these complex and layered topics with. When learning about so many issues with so many perspectives, from the violence in Syria to the opposing ideas of a long-term solution in Israel, it was meaningful to be able to process this with other students who are not afraid to pose difficult questions, listen to new opinions and learn from each other. I admire the intellectual insight that every other student approached our conversations with, and the emotional depth and comfort we were able to reach to truly learn and grow together.”  -Romi Riss, 2nd Year This is a trip that will resonate with us for the rest of our lives. I am endlessly grateful to have had this experience, and grateful for the people I shared it with.  A Concluding Thought by Danny Rose “My metaphor of the trip is an onion. At first glance the region can make you want to cry, but as you cut into it layer by layer, you’ll find it irresistible. And, there’s no one better with whom to cook and share this experience than a group of student ambassadors, who left as good friends and each with the recipe to make change back on campus. B’teavon!” -Danny Rose, Graduate

On Rosh Hashanah it is written. Inscribed in the tree of life that is  Chopped and pulped and dried  Into pages that cannot settle  In the 4 pm wind. Flipping like God’s breakfast Shuddering at every disturbance  Easy to anger, easy to love, Hard to promise.  We commit imperfection But God says we’re forgiven  If we throw things about it.  Usually it’s bread, toasted and crumbling from open fists. Every time I rest my head  On God’s shoulder,  He shrugs me off, tells me to confront  myself with tangible conversations and complex apples.  I swear ripples into reflection But it’s hard to promise anything {Except that none of this Was wasted time}  But a need to take up space At the flux of the season,  To feel weather carmelize  On not-so-thick skin.  God, I feel it all And it sticks with me.  I can rinse off sin,  But regret requires elbow grease, And maybe a friend.  You entrust me in all white Despite dirty dishes and ignorance Of what goes on Inside laundry machines.  Years are cycles, People are not.  I collect leaflets from the tree And create crimson collages  Of familiar forests  And anonymous lumberjacks.  This is God’s image,  We give and we take,  Destroy and create,  Drizzle our nature  Over puckered lips and closing books. On Yom Kippur it is sealed.

On October 7th, many different Jewish Organizations at UCSB worked together to put on a beautiful vigil to honor those we lost to the October 7th massacre two years ago. Here are the speeches a few students gave for anyone who may have missed it or would like to read the beautiful work again. LIEL ITACH Dear friends, Today we gather not just to mourn, but also celebrate the life of Liel Itach, a young man whose light and presence left a lasting impression on all those who met him. Liel was born in Jerusalem in 2001. He was the eldest child of Yonit and Yaakov, and a beloved brother to Yuval, Ariel, and Maor. From the very beginning, he exemplified what it meant to live life to the fullest. He was charismatic, beautiful, and always surrounded by friends. People were drawn to his radiant smile, his contagious laughter, and his natural ability to bring joy to others. Liel loved the things he had deeply, and never shied away from showing it to the world. He loved his family, who meant absolutely everything to him and who he never failed to show up for. He loved soccer, especially the team Beitar Jerusalem. In fact, he wouldn’t dare miss a single game no matter the weather or location and even went as far as to cut his North America trip short to see them play. To this day, they still honor Liel at every game. He loved cars, adventures, sports, and traveling. He loved to work hard, to challenge himself, and to dream big. Whether during his service in the Air Force, working with his father, or saving for his next adventure, Liel approached everything with determination and passion. By his friends, he was described as the “unifier”. He showed up for them in every way he could- as the host, the joker, the advisor, or the loyal friend. Liel was generous with his heart and his time- always giving, and never asking for anything in return. Although he was constantly playful and full of joy, he also displayed a maturity that was far beyond his years. He knew the preciousness that one’s time on earth held, which is why he never failed to remind others to stop for a moment, to breathe, and appreciate everything around them. But on October 7th, 2023, Liel’s beautiful life was cut short. He was at the Nova music festival, dancing and celebrating with his friends, when the unthinkable happened. Although he initially managed to escape, Liel decided to go back and help his friends who were left behind. Staying true to who he was, he came to the site to help in any way that he could, refusing to abandon others in their moment of need. His final moments truly characterized the type of person that Liel was: selfless, loyal, and guided by a love and understanding of life that few could comprehend. It was that love that drew him to go back to his friends, even when it meant putting his own life in danger. The brutality of his death cannot erase the radiance of his life. Liel will always be remembered- not for the way he died, but for the way that he lived his life so bright that the light of his neshama will never fade. May his memory forever inspire us to live like him. Thank you. AMIR EYAL I would like to tell you about my teammate, classmate, and friend, Amir Eyal. I met Amir in the fifth grade when my family moved to Haifa, and we played basketball together on the same team for several years. I remember him as one of those teammates everyone liked: hardworking, humble, and respectful. And every practice, when we’d finish with our free-throw contest, Amir almost always won. On the morning of October 7th, when thousands of Hamas terrorists marched into Israel through the kibbutzim and army bases, Amir was serving in the Field Intelligence Corps and was stationed at the Nahal Oz base. At 6:40 AM, Amir texted his family: “A world war just started here, hundreds of rockets, they are going through the fence, terrorists are attacking the base”. 6:59: “They have made it to the settlements.” 7:03: “There’s an actual war here, we’ll talk later.” And that was his last text. In the confusion and horror of that day, Amir did what he was trained for, and, I think, naturally driven to do: protect his base and his friends. He was hit by a terrorist’s fire towards his station, but he did not give up. He killed the terrorist and pulled back into a shelter along with his friends from his unit. Together, they fought against dozens of Hamas terrorists and saved the lives of many. He was declared missing later that morning. After three days, his phone was found in Gaza, and the next day, his body was discovered near his base in Nir Oz. He was only 19 years old. A year later, His father, Shay, said: “I’ve daydreamed countless times about coming that night and saving you from that cursed morning. I keep wondering what I could have done to change that cruel fate, imagining myself showing up at six in the morning, surprising you at the start of your shift, convincing you to come with me for a coffee in Ashkelon, just a few kilometers from the base, at a safe distance from the Nukhba terrorists. But then the daydream ends, and reality hits hard. Everything has changed. Nothing will ever be the same again, and your absence fills all our hearts, overflowing them with a painful, paralyzing emptiness”. Even though Amir and I have not kept in touch since I moved to America, when I think of him now, I think of those long practices, those free-throw contests, PE classes, and the good memories we captured together. ברוך. זכרו יהי Sivan Elkabets and Naor Hasidim Sivan and Naor found each other at 16. From the moment they got together, they were inseparable and dreamed of starting a family. Sivan was the youngest sibling to her brothers Nadav and Guy and sister Noa. She grew up in Ashdod, excelled in science, and was always cheerful. She danced in the “Avivim” dance troupe and was a counselor at an art camp. Sivan enlisted in the army and served as a combat fitness instructor, there she left a mark of friendship, laughter, beauty and light– always with a smile on her face. Her good friend Ron, disappointed by his military assignment, first called Sivan. He says “She calmed me down in seconds. Sivan had an amazing ability to accept new people and make them feel good where they are. She was a girl with character, not a sucker. The king who knows how to demand what she deserves with her own kindness. She knew how to take everything lightly and knew exactly what to say and when. She was the kind of person you learn from without even noticing. ” After her service, she began studying computer science and worked as a security guard. She lived in the lively youth neighborhood of Kibbutz Kfar Aza– a couple of small homes filled with young adults, endless laughter and late nights, similar to IV. Naor, second child to Galit and Avi Hasidim, was raised in Ashdod. From a young age he stood out as intelligent, witty, sensitive and goal oriented. His teacher Ora said “You were a boy full of joy and endless mischief - you loved to be the center of attention and pull a lot of pranks, but even in these moments you captivated me with your smile and your laughing eyes. I loved your youthful joy. You were sharp-witted and quick-witted, and you succeeded because you knew you had to. You stood on your own merits, and you did indeed succeed. " Naor loved his family, was a momma’s boy, and found light even in the worst situations. His sister said he would bring a trail of laughter and love everywhere he went. A medical condition made the army prefer not to draft him, but heinsisted anyway, and served as a security guard in Jaffa. He was playful, but serious and responsible, and very close to reaching his goal of buying his own home. His younger sister Noa said: "You gave me the best example in the world. You taught me to be good to everyone, to accept everyone, to be caring and to make every person around me have a huge smile just like you would." On October 7th, at age 23, Sivan and Naor were brutally murdered at home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. In the morning hundreds of terrorists entered the kibbutz and massacred the residents in their homes. The youth community, usually loud from laughter, joy and young adults, fell silent. Sivan and Naor’s murder is the least interesting thing about them. Shimon, Sivan’s father said: “The terrorists murdered you, but not who you were for all of us. You cannot murder beauty and values. You cannot cut off kindness and true love. You cannot burn knowledge and wisdom. You cannot shoot and erase a smile and a hugging hand. The terrorists turned me into a bereaved father and us into a bereaved family, but we will always be Sivan’s father and mother. Sivan, Naor, take a walk along the Milky Way, among the stars, and breathe the air of the peaks. You deserve it. You deserve it.” I want you guys to carry Naor’s playfulness and Sivan’s light. When Sivan had her bat mitzah, she declared she wanted to add another commandment to the ten. The eleventh, she decided, would be to dance, to laugh, to sing, to love, to say thank you and not give up on dreams. And thats what I hope for all of you. Kutz family Let me tell you all about the Kutz family - Aviv and Livnat, and their three kids: Rotem, Yonatan, and Yiftach. They lived in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, near the Gaza border - a home they built with love, laughter, and a strong sense of purpose. Life there wasn’t always simple, but they believed in community, in staying rooted, and in doing good. Aviv was both a builder and a dreamer. He helped design homes and public spaces in the kibbutz and created the annual Kite Festival - an idea that brought people together and reminded everyone of hope and unity. Livnat was an artist who believed deeply in the power of creativity to heal. Livnat founded Beit Melacha, a place where kids and adults could work through pain by creating art. Through her work, many found comfort and strength. Their kids grew up surrounded by that same warmth. Rotem was caring and dedicated, a soldier who always thought about others. Yonatan was a talented basketball player, easygoing and kind. And Yiftach, the youngest, was curious and full of life. They reflected the love and values that defined their home. On the morning of October 7, the day began quietly in Kfar Aza. But within moments, that calm was gone. Amid the chaos and terror, the Kutz family gathered in their safe room - the same space where they had spent so many ordinary moments together. When the fighting ended, they were found there, holding one another. That final embrace says everything about who they were - united, protective, and filled with love until the very end. Their family and friends remember them not with anger, but with deep respect. One relative said, “They were pure light - five souls who believed in goodness, even in a place of fear. ”That belief continues through those who knew them. Friends and relatives have rebuilt the sports hall at Kfar Hayarok in the kids’ memory, and they created Wings of Hope, a project that helps others heal through creativity, continuing Livnat’s vision of art as a source of strength. And then there is Tamar - Aviv’s mother - who lost her entire family that day. Tamar lived with a grief that words cannot describe, and earlier this year, Tamar passed away. Those close to her said Tamar “suffered from a heartbreak that had no comfort. ” Her husband, Benny, now speaks quietly about the love they had for sixty years - and about the silence that remains. Today , we remember them: Aviv, Livnat, Rotem, Yonatan, Yiftach, and Tamar. May their memory be a blessing. Maya Biton and Eliran Mizrahi To start, I ask that you imagine your life, your story. What do you see? Marriage? Children? A Career? The dreams we wish to achieve, and the milestones we want to reach. Very rarely do we imagine the fragility of it all, and what we’d do in our final moments, if our story were to be cut short. Tonight, I share the life of a young couple, whose story reminds us to cherish life, and to spread light whenever possible. Eliran Mizrahi was a man who focused on one thing: his fiancée Maya Biton. Originally high school sweethearts, Eliran was struck with a love one can only imagine. It was a bond so strong, a month after Maya went away in South America, he personally handed his resignation letter to his boss, quitting a six-figure job, to join her on her adventure. The couple lived in the moment. They loved to dance, to hike, and Eliran loved to serenade his wife to be. The couple were known for two things: putting others before themselves and always bringing smiles to those around them. Friends and family would say they were an endless beam of light. And everyone agreed, they were soulmates. So when Eliran asked her father for her hand in marriage, he gave him advice he already knew: “No returns, from that moment on, she is yours for life.” Eliran didn’t hesitate. They got engaged in Santorini, with a wedding planned for the following year. A white dress, kids, and their entire lives lay out in front of them. And on October 7th, everything changed. Eliran and Maya were at the Nova Music Festival, a celebration of life and song, a mere 3 miles from the Gaza border. When the terror began, they took each otherby the hand and ran. There were people running, people falling, and people lying still. They searched for cover and found a garbage container nearby. They jumped in, and took to their phones to talk to their loved ones. “Eliran, did you get home?” “Did you get to a safe place??” “We are in a trash container, in the midst of all the shooting.” “Pray for us, please.” “May God protect you.” Eliran continued to communicate with his loved ones. “Please pray for us.” “We are praying my darling, keep us updated what is happening with you” “There are bullets flying around us, we are still in the trash container.” “Shema Yisrael” “Just pray, please pray.” His mother then texted him. “Eliran don’t stand up, don’t move, are the police or soldiers there?” “Eliran what do you hear?” “Shooting, and people screaming in Arabic.” “God is with you, read Tehillim. We won’t stop praying until you’re home” “I love you the most in the whole world, I am waiting for you.” Eliran replied, “Love you lots.” Those were the final words he gave his mother. Maya, who was next to Eliran, was also messaging her loved ones. “Maya?” “How are you?” “They are shooting at us. We can’t see.” “Don’t move, don’t get up. We haven’t stopped praying." “They are outside the trash container.” “Who?” “The terrorists.” “Maya!” No response. “Maya!!” Maya didn’t respond to any of the following messages. They were found days later, wrapped in each other’s arms. They thought of nothing else in their final moments but each other. They faced tragedy with their love, and never wavered. Eliran kept his promise, and he did so with everything he had. “No returns, from that moment on she is yours for life.” The light they spread while they were alive still burns bright through their family and friends. And I believe these incredible souls should not be remembered by how they left, but rather should be remembered by how they left the world. The young couple left the world a brighter place than they found it, serving as an example for us all. They lived beautiful lives, giving their hearts to those around them, and even now their deeds live on, thousands of miles away from Israel. And as we are all gathered here, if there was one thing I ask you to take away from this speech, it's the following. Be kind. Give everything you have in every moment of every day. And share your light with the world. For Eliran and Maya CLOSING STATEMENT I would like to thank you guys for gathering here today to honor the memories of those we lost. A special thanks to the support from Hillel, SSI and Chabad for helping put this together, and thank you to UCSB for allowing us to host this on campus. I would like to invite you to Chabad for dinner and processing of this day. Before we conclude, I hope with the weight of this day we were also able to provide some light and I hope you carry with you the lessons and the memories of the individuals we honored today. Thank you and may their memories be for a blessing.

As fall quarter begins at UCSB it's common to greet returning friends with a simple “how was your summer” or “what did you do over summer” and catch up with loved ones you haven’t seen for a few months. They will likely regale you with fun trips and concerts and events they might have done and then the conversation will quickly move on to midterms and what's happening this coming weekend in Isla Vista. However, I’ve always wondered what the staff of Santa Barbara Hillel get up to during the summer, specifically the heart behind the entire operation, Josh (Messiah) Levine.   Josh and I go way back, in fact in small Jewish world fashion he was the director of the Jewish summer camp I grew up going to, Alonim, in Brandeis (Simi Valley), California. We kibitzed for a while catching up as I asked him about what he did during the summer. Little did I know it was his birthday the same day I conducted the interview. (Happy belated birthday Josh!).   Hillel’s and Josh’s summer started out strong in that we gained a new Ezra fellow, Elana Goldberg at the beginning of July. Additionally in July Josh and the team went to a conference at the Northwestern Hillel with 700 other Hillel’s where he says “we were halfway through a 2 year process on rethinking our organization. How best can we serve students?” A recurring theme throughout Josh and Hillel’s summer was reflection on the processes and programs Hillel provides and I hear some exciting things are in the works to streamline and help these programs suit students' needs.   Going from a packed July of onboarding and helping set Elana up for success at Hillel as well as a national conference, Shay Probstein was added to the team at the beginning of August, funnily on her birthday (Happy really belated birthday Shay!). The team got to work on program planning for the prospectives trip which would happen at the beginning of September and additionally began scheduling workshops and learning experiences which would happen throughout the school year. In August the team took the treacherous journey to Simi Valley and experienced the magic of Alonim with other West Coast Hillels. Naturally with all that Jewishness Mayim Bialik appeared and was a part of the conference.   In early September Josh and Shay led the prospectives trip in Israel. The rest of the month before students arrived was a period of adjustment for the new staff members and time spent bonding amongst the quiet rustle of the empty streets of Isla Vista. Josh mentions how each staff member at Hillel has “that kind of innovative, critical eye, hard-working, lets make it great kind of attitude that Hillel needs” which is so apparent in every program Hillel puts on. You can feel the love and care the Hillel staff has for every student that uses their facility and every interaction with them. He and I both share our excitement for what is to come this coming year and how summer was used thoughtfully to set up an intentional and meaningful year for the students of UCSB and the greater Goleta area.   I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing summer and an amazing start to your fall quarter.

Being a Jewish student at UCSB at any point in time is difficult — navigating keeping kosher in the dining halls is difficult, you have people in the Arbor proselytizing and trying to convert you to Christianity, and of course, there is an antisemitism problem on college campuses all throughout the country. There is one time in particular, though, that is much more difficult than the rest of the time, which is the high holidays time. For somebody who is fully chag observant, depending on the year, there can be up to seven days of class that must be missed due to religious observance (2 for Rosh Hashanah, 1 for Yom Kippur, 2 for the first two days of Sukkot, 1 for Shmini Atzeret, and 1 for Simchat Torah). This year, Rosh Hashanah fell on the days leading up to the beginning of school rather than during school. Although this sounds as if it elevates all the issues with conflicting schedules with school and Jewish holidays, this only helps with half of the battle. During these final two days of summer break, many organizations hold social events for new and returning students, allowing students to visit many clubs and meet many new people. Although Chabad, Hillel, and other Jewish organizations typically have these kinds of events during these days, this year, those were replaced by Rosh Hashanah services. And although I have met people during these days, I will say that grabbing coffee at Starbucks last year led to many more friendships than saying the Kaddish for the 20th time that day. That being said, I was still able to meet plenty of people after Rosh Hashanah. The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were very social days where I met a bunch of cool people. Yom Kippur was rough — I had to miss class and turn in a homework assignment early, although I (and everyone I spoke to) were able to manage. I know people who just didn’t eat and went to class, and people who were fully observant that day, and from my anecdotal experience and from what I have heard, all the professors were very sympathetic. After Yom Kippur comes Sukkot, and unfortunately, getting busy college students to build a Sukkah is quite the undertaking, but both Chabad and Hillel were able to build one. There were many engaging activities at both Chabad and Hillel during this time, such as Soup in the Sukkah and Israeli Dancing.  Finally, the last celebration during Tishrei is Simchat Torah. There was a great turnout at Chabad this year, and as per tradition, the Torah was carried all throughout Isla Vista. Now, Isla Vista can be filled with some interesting people, and by interesting, I mean highly antisemitic, but somehow this year, there was only one horrible post about us on YikYak! Getting to sing songs and be surrounded by friendly faces always feels good, and that is just what the community needed at that time, with all of the emotions surrounding the ever-changing situation in Israel. Overall, this year in terms of holidays has been pretty good. Although Rosh Hashanah fell at a slightly inopportune time, everybody in the community seems to have navigated the start of both the Jewish and academic year well. Yom Kippur also fell during school, but everybody seems to have figured out what to do. Sukkot and Simchat Torah were very fun and were a much-needed break from all the craziness happening in the world. Let’s hope that the rest of the year can be filled with all the simcha and joy that the Jewish community felt during the beginning of school!

A Retelling of the Jewish Folktale That Inspired Tim Burton’s “The Corpse Bride” By Lee Ellis Our Story is set in a time not too unfamiliar, where a man is set to marry his betrothed, and during the travels, horrors unfold.  Celebration, a tradition, as we made our way through the woods. Alcohol overflowed as we passed bottles back and forth. We stumbled as we explored the silver-lit woods, and we sang songs of joy as my nuptials approached with each step we took. We were daring each other to take part in increasingly foolish games, openly making fools of ourselves. It all came to a head when we drunkenly stumbled upon a large tree root.  However, when we stopped to realize we hadn’t stumbled over a root, we all discovered in a sobering shock that we had not tripped over a root but a beautiful woman. I passed the bottle I was holding off to my friend Benjamin, who, in turn, took a large swig. Yadid leaned down to investigate, popping up to state what was becoming increasingly apparent.  “I think she’s dead,” Yadid sighed, taking the bottle from Benjamin. “I think that's obvious, Yadid,” Raanan chimed. “What’re we supposed to do?” I asked, drunk and stupid. “We should get to town as fast as possible, go find someone,” Benjamin suggested. “Hmm, I know,” Yadid started, completely ignoring Benjamin, “Yakov, you should give us a preview for tomorrow, show us what you’ve been practicing.” “No way, Yadid,” I responded, completely taken aback by his brazen attitude. “Come on,” Yadid continued, trying to egg me on, “Just show us your vows. The other men chimed in with Yadid, pressuring me to practice my vows for them, using the corpse as a prop. I continued to shake my head, but in the end, the combination of overconsumption of alcohol and peer pressure wore me down, and I gave in.  I leaned down, noticing that the woman looked more as if she was sleeping than dead, and I whispered a prayer for forgiveness. I recited the vows I had spent the time to memorize and pulled the ring my parents had gifted me out of my pocket, slipping it onto the dead woman’s finger.  A strong wind blew through the woods, strong enough to knock me off my balance, shoving me to the ground. My friends all looked at me, and then around the clearing, as the moon slipped behind a large cloud. We all looked at each other and then again at the woods searching for the source of the sudden and dramatic change in the environment.  I heard Yadid stuttering out some kind of sentence, but I couldn’t make sense of it, as when I looked up, I saw the dead woman. Except it didn’t appear that she was dead anymore. She still looked ghostly pale and relatively corpse-like, despite this, she was no longer on the forest floor; she was standing over me, pointing and wailing.  “A husband! A husband,” she wailed, “I never thought this day would come!” I was still in a state of pure shock and fear when I felt my friends haul me up off the ground and turn and sprint through the woods. I gained my balance and was able to run on my own accord, glancing over my shoulder ever so often to see the corpse still wailing and following us through the woods at a surprising pace. “WAIT, WAIT,” she cried out, “I don’t even know your name.”  My friends continued to sprint, and I continued to follow. We pushed our way through the woods, ignoring the bottles and a few belongings we left behind. We could hear the corpses' cries through the trees, but despite it all, we pushed forward. Fear pushes our bodies past their natural limits.  We didn’t stop until we couldn’t hear her cries and agonizing screams anymore. We paused to catch our breath for only a minute. Once we made sure we were all together, we made the final push through the last of the woods. Our group watched the sun rise through the thinning trees over the village where my real bride awaited.  I looked at our group, and we were all sweaty and disgusting, covered in mud and dirt. I sighed and summoned the last of my resolve to make the final trek to the house where I’d meet my family and prepare for my wedding.  We made the walk in silence, trying to cope or make up excuses for what we witnessed in the dark of the woods. When we reached the house where my parents and sisters were waiting, I entered quietly, thinking over excuses for where the ring had gone and why I was so early, among other things.  My mother rushed over first, doting over my disheveled appearance. She was brushing off the dirt and grime, asking a million questions. “What happened? Are you okay? Where’s the rings?” “Mama, I’m okay, just a bit of a scare. Probably nothing.” “Nothing? You arrived disheveled and covered in dirt.” “It's just me and the guys. We were trying to scare  each other and ended up sprinting through the woods cause it spooked us so bad.” “Alright, I’ll drop it, but you all need to get ready.” I was swept into a frenzy of wild preparations, bathing, washing, rituals, all executed perfectly and with much time to spare. I went back and forth, finally ready and waiting for the moment the wedding would begin.  My mother was already in tears, and my father stood next to her, no emotions displayed on his face. My mother wrapped herself around me, wishing me luck before I was shepherded to the temple, where I’d wait for all the guests to arrive and to begin the rest of my life.  I waited at the chuppah for my bride, and when she entered, my heart stopped. A mix of anxiety and anticipation swirled through my mind and body. She approached, and the Rabbi started the ceremony, and right as we were about to start the vows, the doors swung open with a loud bang.  There in the doorway stood the corpse from the woods; she opened with a wail and a scream. “My husband! My husband! You cannot marry that man, he is my husband!”  “The rabbi looked up, and several of the townspeople turned to see the disruption. I heard several of the women scream, and some of the men shot up.” “YAKOV! What is happening?” my mother cried out, clearly disturbed but knowing this was my fault. “I don’t know, it started as a bet, a challenge, and we didn’t know this would happen,” I pleaded, hoping for my mother to understand, for anyone to understand.  “A bet?” she wailed again, “That’s so cruel, but yet you chose me!” A quiet voice piped up from next to me, my bride, Tzippora, “But you’re dead.” “Dead? Dead? That doesn’t matter!” “It does, we really don’t know if there’s even a stance for this yet,” one of the town’s elders piped up. “Yes, we must discuss,” the Rabbi said, gathering all the elders and disappearing into a chamber next to the sanctuary.  We all stood, the corpse had approached the chuppah, waiting for the Rabbi to get back, cornering me so that no matter the decision, I couldn’t get away. We waited, murmurs from the guests filled the sanctuary, echoing around me. The initial feeling of anticipation and anxiety shifted entirely into anxiety. The corpse’s dead eyes bored into me, and she reached, but I jolted back. The chamber door swung open, and the Rabbi and the elders emerged.  “We’ve talked, reviewed the texts, and we’ve decided that there’s no prior precedent of the dead over the living, and marriage lasts until death. So, in this case, the marriage between Yakov and this corpse is invalid,” the Rabbi said.  I felt relief flow through my body, and the corpse threw herself to the ground and screamed in anguish, before disolving into dust and moths. I watched the swarm of moths flutter out of the sanctuary doors and into the night.  As I stood at the altar, the memory of that fateful night lingering in my mind, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the shadows of the woods would forever whisper secrets of a past entwined with the echo of an unexpected promise.

Ah, Tishrei, we have made it through our first month of a new Jewish calendar year. We have cast our sins into the ocean, and the tide washed them right back up. We complained through a hungry day of reflection, and continued to complain when we broke our fast a little too much. We finished reading the Torah, and drank so much we forgot what happened, so we’ll have to read it again this year. Now that we have closed out our month of holiness, let’s reflect on how each Zodiac has started this new year and find guidance for the coming months.  Libra - Moznayim Tishrei (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23) Libra, the scale, what a fitting sign for the Day of Atonement. You must have had a long Tishrei, weighing all of your sins. You’re a deep thinker, constantly analyzing your actions. This month, relax a little. Go to shul and let Rabbi weigh your sins for you, have a few L’Chaims.  Scorpio - ‘Akrab Cheshvan (Oct. 24 - Nov. 21) Scorpios have got birthdays coming up! A chance for growth. See how far you have come. You could go much farther, but for now, just celebrate while it is still socially acceptable for you to party on weekdays and be unemployed.  Sagittarius - Kasshat Kislev (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Should you look upon a clear night sky, you may find the vast wonder of the Milky Way galaxy next to the stars of your zodiac. This month, keep a level head. You may point to a galaxy, but you sure aren’t the center of it. G-d is everywhere, you aren’t.  Capricorn - Gedi Tevet (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) Ask again later.  Aquarius - D’li Shevat (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) We didn’t see you much over the high holidays last month. Yes, we know you had six midterms, seven quizzes, and a lab. Just go home and shower. Please.  Pisces - Dagim Adar (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20) You should really stop making your decisions based on a horoscope. The commitment is respectable…kind of. But go reconnect with Hashem.  Aries - Taleh Nisan (Mar. 21 - April 19) You are often too hard on yourself, but you are a strong, bold leader. You’re on the right track, baby. You were born this way. Don’t hide yourself in regret, just love yourself and you’re set. You’re on the right track, baby, you were born this way. Anyway, did you know Lady Gaga is an Aries?  Taurus - Shor Iyar (April 20 - May 20) As a Taurus myself, no notes.  Gemini - Teomim Sivan (May 21 - June 21) So you’re thinking of converting, switching sides like a Gemini. Yes, it was a packed month, the time of year when even the secular Jews make an appearance at shul, but it’s not always like this. It’s just a phase. If you really want to get wild, have a Jesus burger this weekend. Throw some cheese on it if you really want to question your identity. Go satisfy your craving for religious mingling, and we’ll see you next Shabbat.  Cancer - Sarton Tammuz (June 22 - July 22) You may have found yourself in a crabby mood much of this month; it’s a busy time. But you are right where you need to be. Think of all your accomplishments! One event yields 10 TikToks; that's some high productivity. How else would everyone know exactly how they acted at AEPi last night, or have proof to show their Jewish mothers that they go to Hillel? Keep up your work.    Leo - Ari Av (July 23 - Aug. 22) Oy. What a month (says the Leo horoscope every month). Mingling within the community means everyone knows. Next month, TMI will actually stand for ‘too much information’, you don’t have to tell everyone immediately. 1  We’ll all hear eventually anyway! Virgo - Betulah Elul (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) Virgo - the maiden (the virgin). A tough one to be as a college student. I know your hopes may be high for this month, but unfortunately, you may remain a ‘maiden’ for some time. Don’t be too bummed, just man your position at the gates of AEPi on a Saturday, and some goy might take notice of your valor.  Charlotte Breier, “Who is Behind Fig and Vine,” Fig and Vine Magazine, 2025.

A lot has happened this month. As a Jewish community, we have reflected on a year past, celebrated the new year with Sukkot and Simchat Torah, and now get to rejoice with the return of the hostages in Israel and ceasefire in Gaza. It is time for some rest. In hopeful preparation for a restful November, I have deciphered the best (and worst) Ashkenazi snacks available at one of the greatest places on Earth, Trader Joe’s.  Why Ashkenazi ? I’m Ashkenazi. To me, there is no greater rejuvenation than eating my mom’s roast chicken and potatoes on a Shabbat  night. My Safta , who learned German before English, and my Saba , whose Polish family settled down in New Jersey before he was born, were my tasting team. And although it sounds like a simple, fun afternoon of schmoozing and noshing, the real experience was far from casual. The Process My grandparents and I tried 8 items from Trader Joe’s. Some items were complementary, some were individual. For each item, we awarded a taste and authenticity score from 0 to 5. That gave a composite score of 0 to 10 for each item. Then, value is assessed, granting either a “Yes,” meaning good value, or a “No,” meaning poor value.   Taste for this experiment meant overall food enjoyment experience. Taste is a major factor, but also texture, appearance, and all the parts that contribute to the sensory enjoyment of each item.  Authenticity was graded based on two factors. How truly Ashkenazi  is this food item broadly? And how well did Trader Joe’s do in mimicking the Ashkenazi form?  Value was a monetary metric. It was intended to measure the bang for your buck on a quantity level more than anything, though foods on either extreme of taste will likely earn a value grade irrelevant of the amount of food offered.  Pickle Popcorn 5/10 Taste   2/5: Starting with an hors d'oeuvre as sharp and powerful as popcorn soaked in pickle brine was my bad. And for that reason the ⅖ grade must have a slight asterisk. The popcorn is unapologetically pickle, so if you’re a fan of everything vinegar and dill, then this snack is right up your alley. For me, as a liker of pickles (in moderation) a full pour of this popcorn was hard to finish. Authenticity   3/5: I understand that people have been pickling foods since before Moses received the Ten Commandments. Still, there is something Ashkenazi  about a deli pickle, a kosher dill pickle, half of which are fully sour, the other half only partially brined. This fact of origin, combined with the popcorn only having the fully pickled flavor, docks the item a point on the Ashkenazi Authenticity  scale. The second lost point comes from the popcorn itself. There is absolutely nothing particularly Ashkenazi about popcorn, as bad as I want there to be.  Value   No: At $2.29, I still wouldn’t buy this again. Wild Sockeye Smoked Salmon           Whipped Cream Cheese       Everything Bagels Taste 5/5:  These three items combine like song and dance. The bagels after a slight toast are the perfect crunch beneath a bed of cool, cream cheese. Topped with a sheet or two of the smoked salmon, and you’ll be in textural heaven with inoffensive flavors.  Authenticity   4/5:  Lox and bagels are a classic American Jewish food. The New Yorkers who created it in the ‘30’s were almost all Ashkenazi . Still, this three item bagel is missing something. They have onion and capers at Trader Joe’s, but at a certain level of production, a restful snack becomes a meal. This easy recipe remains a snack. All you have to do is toast, schmear, and place. The other quasi-reason that this only scores a 4/5  is that it is not a food universal to Ashkenazis . American Jewry, sure, but what about the British, French, or Russian Jews? For those two reasons, the combo loses a point on Authenticity  and earns a total score of 9/10. Value: Yes : At $2.99 each, the cream cheese and everything bagels both live in my fridge at home. (Well, technically I freeze the bagels.) The salmon, on the other hand, is more of a luxury purchase. One pack costs $7.99, which feels pricey in the moment, so I rarely proceed to checkout. I will say that these $14 will buy you at least five well-built lox and bagels (sometimes even six), which is great value.  Latkes 10/10 * Taste 5/5*: These latkes greatly exceeded my expectations. Crispy outside, cushiony interior, with a smooth and salty potato taste throughout. Each bite was enjoyable texturally; the taste itself is where the asterisk is earned. I say 5/5  because I had a great sauce. The sauce really makes the experience, so if you’re yet to enjoy these potato pancakes, try again with the sauce I'm soon to recommend.  Authenticity 5/5 : No, these are not your Bubbi’s latkes, but they shouldn’t be. Authenticity to that level is, and should remain, sacred. There are no crispy bits of potato that hang off the edge, no exorbitant amount of oil that you need to drip off, and none of the heartfelt homemade touch in general. But expecting that in a sub-four dollar pack of frozen latkes (Apologies for the spoiler) would be nit-picking. They are air-fryable latkes, 100%. They are real. 5/5 Value   Yes: I couldn’t help but spoil this category; the value is just that insane. $3.69 for 8 delicious latkes is barely even a choice in 2025. Just make sure you leave room in the budget for the sauce.  Ricotta Cheese 5/10 Taste 5/5: I know firsthand that many Ashkenazi Jews experience lactose intolerance. This ricotta is worth it. For both the latkes and an upcoming item on this list, I made a simple sweetened ricotta by mixing three spoonfuls of ricotta cheese with a dollop of honey. As you see directly above, it made all the difference. The smooth sweet cheese is the perfect compliment to latkes, or apples, or most snack foods around.  Authenticity   0/5: Ricotta cheese is Italian. It’s not Ashkenazi. Sorry.  Value Yes: This pound of ricotta cheese costs $3.99. Need I say more? It’s delicious, it’s resealable, it’s in my basket consistently at TJ’s.  Chicken Soup 7/10 Taste 3/5: There is nothing wrong with this chicken soup. It is exactly as advertised. The broth was rather bland, but the trio of chicken, carrots, and onions is never bad. The color was right, none of the chicken was texturally abhorrent, so I was content. It loses a point for the lack of flavor in the broth, as well as a point for the overall eating experience lacking any excitement.  Authenticity 4/5: It is hard to call this chicken soup inauthentic. It has a nice layer of schmaltz at the top, which was pleasing to see. There was hardly any celery, but the other two mainstay veggies in carrots and onions were clearly there. And, though bland, the broth was definitely chicken. Some might say that chicken soup is a universal food, which it practically is. However, this is a 4/5  for Authenticity as far as Ashkenazi chicken soup goes. More celery and it may have received a perfect score.  Value No: Again, there is nothing wrong with this soup. $4.99 is no scam, but making soup from scratch is such an enjoyable experience, it will yield a better tasting product, and you’ll have enough to share at a cheaper rate than if you go with this pound and a half cup of chicken soup. Blintzes 6/10 Taste 4/5: There’s some explaining to do. Trader Joe’s blintzes were discontinued at the end of last year. So for a sweeter replacement, I spread some of the sweet ricotta on top of these hazelnut cocoa crepes. Not quite a blintze, but not so bad either. Sweet cheese, thin pastry, and a chocolate-hazelnut inside is hard to mess up. So I’m glad to report that it was, in fact, yummy. The spread was delicious, the pancake thin but firm, and the inside was brilliantly balanced. Some sweet treats leave me wanting more, but this decadent crepe was more than enough. For the increased expectation of pure taste from a desert item, it earns a 4/5.  Authenticity 2/5:  Blintzes are Ashkenazi. That is fact. U nfortunately, these are crepes, not blintzes. The metric might be punishing the item here, but rules are rules. One step away from a rather inauthentic blintz feels like a 2/5 to me.  Value No: $3.99 for six tasty crepes is fine value. Neither amazing nor heartbreaking, the taste would have had to have won me over. But between classics like the dark chocolate peanut butter cups, the black bean mochis, or even the dried mango slices, I doubt I’ll buy these wanna-be blintzes ever again.