Originally Published in The Jewish Journal . In the early hours of Shabbat morning on Jan. 10, the UC Santa Barbara residential  AEPi house was trespassed on and vandalized with a swastika on a bathroom mirror. According to the ADL, this is the  fourth time  since November that this particular Jewish residential institution has been targeted with antisemitic hate. Isla Vista Foot Patrol, which is part of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, is actively looking into the incident and has yet to release any official information to the public. This is not just another example of individual hatred, but a dangerous normalization of antisemitic behavior which perpetrators in our community now feel emboldened to cross personal and physical boundaries. As the investigation in Isla Vista continues, the Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League in Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties, Joshua Burt, released a  statement : “The swastika is a symbol of hate and terror, and its use to intimidate Jewish students in their own home is reprehensible. This escalating pattern of harassment is unacceptable and has no place in our community.” This wasn’t defacing the stall of a bathroom on campus or on a classroom whiteboard (which would be bad enough.) No, someone invaded a safe space created for young Jewish men and threatened them with the most potent symbol of their people’s genocide ever created. Imagine walking into your bathroom and seeing a dehumanizing slur staring you in the face. How quickly would your feeling of safety erode? The anger and frustration students must feel from being victimized, while in a community that prides itself on diversity and inclusion is profound and deeply alienating. How many members will think twice now before entering? How much of their budget will need to be allocated to extra security just to exist openly? Wiping away the shaving cream is easy, but feeling safe again is its own battle. What’s all the more sad is that AEPi members aren’t surprised. “My initial reaction was disgust and fear, but honestly, I’m Jewish. To say this isn’t my reality, would be a lie. … I’m proud to say I’m Jewish, and I’m proud to say no amount of swastikas or attacks will ever change that,” shared Justin Shirazian, a pre-med junior and the Sentinel of AEPi UCSB. Jake Zicklin, another AEPi brother, was asleep in his room at the time of the attack. He woke up from the noise and noted he was “horrified to leave my room because I was unsure if they were armed.” Thankfully, Zicklin was able to get a photo of the perpetrators’ faces before they left. “This has nothing to do with Israel…. This has everything to do with Jews existing,” said Zicklin. Our campus depends on mutual respect. The perpetrators are testing boundaries. If they face no real consequences or community pushback, they will feel emboldened to repeat the behavior or escalate it further. Unfortunately, this is not a West Coast phenomenon. Campuses across the country have faced increasing amounts of unabashed Jewish hate. Just last month, the  Michigan State University  Chabad was vandalized with swastikas accompanied by the words “He’s back,” presumably referring to Hitler. When asked about the incident, Jewish MSU student, Ruben Sobol, expressed sentiments that would resonate with Jewish students around the world: “Hatred is so normalized, I don’t even know who to trust anymore when I meet new people.” These incidents aren’t simply vandalism. They create a culture that prohibits Jewish students from feeling safe in their own educational spaces. Aside from the  current rise  of antisemitism that we’re seeing, it’s hard not to see parallels with pre-Holocaust Nazi radicalization in German universities. As the Nazis were increasing their influence,  Jewish professors  and students were already being alienated on campuses. Jewish faculty was boycotted, and petitions were circulated to limit Jewish participation in universities. Swastikas were everywhere. The time to pay attention is now. We cannot allow Jewish students to live in fear of constant attacks because it’s easier than finding ways to have hard conversations and explore resolutions. What happened at AEPi wasn’t a funny prank and it wasn’t harmless. It was someone entering illegally into a Jewish home and vandalizing the home with an intimidating hate symbol. Talking about incidents like this matters, because when they’re ignored, it sends the message that this kind of behavior is normal and acceptable. Once hate is allowed to enter people’s homes without real consequences or pushback, it starts to feel normal, and that’s when the problem becomes much bigger than one house or one incident.

Endless rolling hills, refreshing swimming holes, ancient volcanic geology, and centuries of history. The Golan Heights is a stunning breath away from the hustle and bustle of Israel’s center, and a place I am lucky to call home. While my family has been settling into our new house on Kibbutz Kfar Haruv, I have been exploring the southern Golan and embarking on as many hiking trails as I can. Though I am thrilled to report back with sights of impressive basalt columns and towering waterfalls, I am also saddened by the sheer amount of garbage on every trail. In fact, Israel’s trash problem is prevalent throughout the entire country. Highways are lined with plastic bags and bottles. Hikers leave tissue alongside the path. People go to beautiful places like streams and beaches for a picnic, but fail to pack everything out. Despite the numerous difficulties of living here, citizens take immense pride in the land of Israel. If we care so much about our homeland, why is there so much litter left on the ground? Who and what could work to fix this pressing issue?  Occasionally, I struggle with my family’s move from Fresno, California, to Israel. My parents had thought of making this move for as long as I can remember, but we felt extremely impassioned to make it happen after October 7th, 2023. While we have no other family in California and barely any emotional ties to Fresno, our cousins, history, culture, and hearts are in Israel. My parents and I can agree that we have always felt an unrelenting whisper that we should be in Israel. So this past summer, they finally made the move while I am finishing up three more years at UCSB. The truth is that my family’s move defies logic. Reestablishing life on the opposite side of the globe is expensive and complicated. Life was easy and comfortable in Fresno, but what we lacked was fulfillment. Lately, I have been questioning the notion of fulfillment and what makes me feel fulfilled. I’ve found that simply being here is not enough, and that I need to take part in something. In the words of my father, “we moved here to contribute to the goodness of this country.” As I am only here for three weeks this winter break, it starts with the little things. Nahal El-Al is a breathtaking six-mile loop, about a ten-minute drive from my house. I hiked the trail frequently over the summer, especially to take a dip in the swimming hole underneath the White Waterfall. During one of my visits, a backpacker informed me that the water was extremely polluted due to litter and drought. It was true, I was swimming with plastic bottles and other garbage disintegrating on the pool floor. Both disheartened and disgusted, I promised myself to do something about it the next time I was there. I am proud to say that I fulfilled my promise, and recently hit the trail with a large garbage bag in hand. It’s about a mile walk descending into a canyon before reaching the White Waterfall. I decided to hike all the way down to the waterfall and pick up garbage in and around the pool before heading back up, collecting trash along the trail as I went. My heart sank as I realized the task could be endless. So much litter was stuck in thick branches, poorly hidden under rocks, or had rolled down the steep edge of the trail. It was too much for one person to pick up in one day. Although I did not get to everything, I do feel that I helped make a difference. I thoroughly cleaned up the area surrounding the waterfall, where hikers stop to enjoy the view, have a picnic, and go for a swim. I also picked up all of the trash directly on the trail and caught in the shrubbery surrounding it. I don’t know if it will remain litter-free, but hopefully, I inspired those visiting that day to pack out any garbage they created. A few added to my garbage bag, and told me toda lach and kol ha kavod . I also predict that if people don’t see any litter surrounding them during their visit to the waterfall, they’d be less emboldened to leave their trash there. Hauling a full, tearing garbage bag back up the canyon was certainly not fun, but I am so glad it is how I spent one of my days here.   I finally reached the top of the trail, tossed the bag in a dumpster, and headed to the car. Two people who had seen me on the trail requested a ride to their neighborhood nearby. The hitchhikers asked me questions about my stay in the Golan and why I came to clean the trail. I told them that I cared about the place, and I wanted to help make it better for both hikers and wildlife. They asked if I also pick up garbage in California. While I have volunteered for a few organized programs, I have never taken the initiative to organize my own event or go out to do it by myself. California is still another home to me, with landscapes that I adore and ecosystems that require protecting. I currently have so many questions about what I’m passionate about, what I want to do in the future, and what fulfills me. Realistically, I’m not going to be picking up trash every time I hike, but doing it made me feel really good, and I want to do it more often both in California and in Israel. I also wonder if I could get friends, or even strangers, to join me. Picking up trash is such a simple task that makes a notable difference. I am excited to contribute to the goodness of Israel by continuing to clean up the Golan Heights, one trail at a time, as well as eager to see what could happen with the help of more hands. I am proud to have noticed that Israel is becoming more aware of its trash problem, adding an abundance of trash cans in cities and towns, as well as laws and fines that help prevent littering. I am also aware that there are programs to clean up more populated places like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. However, I haven’t heard of operations like this in the Golan Heights, and it would be so incredible to establish something here. The Golan Heights contains some of the best nature that Israel has to offer. If we don’t work to protect the places we cherish, who will?

Winter Quarter is famously the quarter in which everyone’s immune systems fail in tandem and the inevitable flu or cold makes its way around campus and takes out the entire student body. At least I know this usually happens to me, and in advance, I like to take a recipe out of my grandma's frequent Shabbat dinners and make a comforting soup to bring me back home and nurse my soul and body back to health. One of these recipes is her Cauliflower soup, made with a whole head of cauliflower and curry powder, which is a delightful combination of healthy and tasty. Here's the recipe:   Cauliflower Soup   Ingredients:   ● 1 Head of Cauliflower ● 1 Whole Onion ● 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil ● 4 Cups of Water with Chicken Bouillon ● 1 Teaspoon of Turmeric ● 1 Teaspoon of Madras Curry Powder ● 1 Cup of Milk ● (Optional) ¼ Cup of Baby Carrots ● (Optional) ¼ Cup of Cut Baby Potatoes   Procedure:   1. Mince onion and cook in a tablespoon of oil in a large pot 2. Chop up cauliflower into large chunks and place in a pot 3. If using potatoes and carrots, chop them up and place in the pot 4. Add a teaspoon of madras and a teaspoon of turmeric and stir well 5. Add 4 cups of bouillon 6. Cover the pot and let it cook until all the vegetables are soft 7. Use emulsion blender to thin the soup to the desired consistency 8. Add one cup of milk and serve   Let me know if you decide to make this and enjoy!

For this New Year’s horoscope, I’ve dived deep into the stars, searching for all the shining signs of what this year could hold for the readers of Fig and Vine.  Aries - Taleh Nisan (Mar. 21 - April 19) New Year, New You, New Year, New Jew? Explore Jewish identity, belief, and practice. The experience every Jewish college student must  have. Join Sinai Scholars today! Compatible with Capricorn.  Taurus - Shor Iyar (April 20 - May 20) After almost 8 years, Uranus will be leaving Taurus in 2026 (it’s real, I looked it up). All that time you felt a stick up your ass, and it was just Uranus up your anus. In Astrology, Uranus is said to symbolize change. The change of the past 8 years is not what we were hoping for, thanks universe. But we don’t need Uranus to make the change we want, this year we can take matters into our own hands and really lock in on reposting those Instagram stories to bring world peace.  Formerly compatible with Uranus. Loves a Leo (no butt stuff though).  Gemini - Teomim Sivan (May 21 - June 21) Oh, hey there Gemini! We’re surprised you’re here. Hmm, we didn’t quite prepare anything for you, didn’t think you’d listen anyway. You’re just so adaptable, and that’s what will get you through the situations that may come your way this year (because neither the stars nor Hashem can predict the situations you’ll get yourself into).  In a situationship with a Leo. Or was it a Libra? We can’t keep track.  Cancer - Sarton Tammuz (June 22 - July 22) So, you’re going for NJB again  this year? Unfortunately, it’s just not in the stars for you this year. Again. You’ve been craving the feeling of being nurtured, but it's time to nurture yourself. Pageant titles and Nice Jewish Hookups just aren’t going to cut it. It is time for some personal development, not plot development.  Focusing on themselves this year. (Chasing a nice Jewish Aries).    Leo - Ari Av (July 23 - Aug. 22) A new year is a time for contemplation, who do you want to be? What do you want this year to look like? Take some time to get outside and contemplate to yourself. You’re used to voicing your contemplations publicly, but in 2026, you can keep more of your contemplations to yourself. Voice your thoughts through action, that will be plenty.  Ground yourself with a Taurus.  Virgo - Betulah Elul (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) Big changes are in store for you in 2026. Like, a haircut even. And go for it! Embrace the changes that may come your way.  You’ve been practical, what if you just fuck around and find out? As the kids say.  Eff around and find out with a Capricorn.  Libra - Moznayim Tishrei (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23) You’ve longed for balance for so long, and this is it, the planets are aligning. You’ve figured out how to make it to your 8am, stay at Chabad past 8pm, get 8 hours of sleep. No need for therapy, as long as nothing interferes with your perfectly balanced schedule. Don’t think about the frat flus that could take you out, the high holidays that require your spiritual presence, or the time you inevitably and regrettably let the situationship sleep over. Maintaining the balance maintains your peace.  Stressed out over a Sagittarius.  Scorpio - ‘Akrab Cheshvan (Oct. 24 - Nov. 21) Did you hear 2016 is back?! The stars have aligned, and you don’t have to hide it anymore, you can finally wear jeans that show off leg day. You’ve been doing your best to fit the looks of today, it’s the thought that counts. But now nobody can say anything when you walk into Hillel fitted with your choker as tight as your jeans, and your part in the other hemisphere of your head.  Getting nostalgic with a Leo.  Sagittarius - Kasshat Kislev (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) You’re already expecting a great year, keep up the optimism. The world might be falling apart as you read this, but the Sun is out! Us Isla Vistaians know that a sunny day solves all. Tu Bishvat is coming up, skip all your classes and go be with the trees. It’s like, your religious and spiritual duty. Hugging a tree is basically doing your part for the environmental cause.  Compatible with Pisces, under the right planetary circumstances.  Capricorn - Gedi Tevet (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) Your discipline is deeply admirable, and grounds you as an Earth sign. It can be a strength, the stubbornness that has kept Judaism alive from generation to generation. But it’s time for you to release yourself from the strains of your stubbornness, relax a little. Go crazy and eat at Hillel and Chabad, your figure will recover by next Shabbat.   Reliably compatible with Aries in the bedroom. This year, your spirit will find compatibility with Virgo.  Aquarius - D’li Shevat (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) You’re a rational sign, you know this is all bs. Just keep going to Minyan every Saturday, all will be well.  Compatible with Hashem; doesn’t give a shit about your zodiac sign.   Pisces - Dagim Adar (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20) Good news, 2026 is looking like your year! As long as you follow your horoscopes. You’ve probably already got those Co-Star notifications on anyway. If you follow Co-Star, nothing will be your fault! It is all in the stars, the positions of the planets, how can you be expected to be responsible for your own actions? Invest in your crystal collection, and you’ll seal in your shining year. Busy making their birth chart. Once they’ve made it, they’ll find compatibility with Aquarius’s rising sunshine, but the sinking moon will sink the relation-ship.

Food and Judaism have long been connected — from latkes and matzo brei, to jachnun, and yes, even gefilte fish. One of the quintessential Jewish food staples is the humble bagel, well… at least not during Pesach. Bagels, invented by Jews in middle age Poland, are a delectable item that have been part of many people’s diets up until today, and one Polish Jew decided to perfect the art of the bagel right here in Isla Vista. Meet Daniel Dunietz: A UCSB alumnus, he has dreamed of comforting food concoctions since he was in high school. As an adult, he opened a Buddha Bowls (later renamed Dank Bowls), serving up delicious food in huge bread bowls, which later turned into Yetz’z bagels. I had the pleasure of interviewing him and asking him about his story, his restaurant, and bagels. When interviewing Daniel, my initial question was about his inspiration to open a restaurant in the first place. He told me he had a dream in high school to create a creative concept bagel place, with menu items such as a deep dish pizza bagel, but throughout his time at UC Santa Barbara is that there (at the time) were no good bagels anywhere in IV or Santa Barbara Barbara. Daniel stated that he was drawn to food service because he loves meeting new people, and that food was always his favorite way to do that. He started with small pop-ups in IV, and eventually graduated to having a restaurant of his own. My next question for Daniel was why he decided to transition his business to making bagels. Originally, he decided to have Yetz’s Bagels as a pop-up in Dank Bowls, but continue to operate Dank Bowls. Over time, he realized that Yetz’s Bagels was both a much better business venture, and one that better fit his lifestyle. When he ran Dank Bowls, he would oftentimes sell 20 or fewer meals up until 5pm and only after that would business pick up. Additionally, due to the very large portion sizes, he did not have a regular customer base (and sometimes he had to deal with vomit!). When he switched to bagels, he noticed the same people coming in repeatedly, because unlike a bread bowl filled with mac n’ cheese, one can eat a bagel every single day. The following question I asked was how did bagels connect to his heritage. As a Polish Jew, he always found himself eating bagels: for breakfast, for dinner, at Bar Mitzvahs, at Yom Kippur break fasts, and at weddings. He then went further into bagel history, explaining that there are many theories about why and how bagels were invented, such as Jews not being able to use the same ovens as Christians – he does not believe this theory, he just knows that bagels are a Jewish creation. His father’s side of the family comes from Chełm, from where bagels are theorized to have originated. So for him, going way back, his own ancestors were eating some of the first bagels. The proceeding question I gave to Daniel was his philosophy about making bagels. Putting it simply, he told me that there are much fewer ways to make bagels than people think. Since it's been a food that's been around for such a long time, a lot of the ratios and techniques have been perfected. For him, the key is boiling the bagels, despite the fact that is it very time consuming, it is absolutely necessary for the best bagel. He went on to describe how certain bakeries use an oven that pumps steam into the bagels, which can emulate boiling them before baking them, but  to him, this is the “bastardized little brother” of real bagels. My next question for Daniel was about the future of Yetz’s Bagels. He told me that in the near future, he is opening a location in Goleta (by Target), but he is unsure if he wants to keep opening more stores. On the one hand, he told me, he wants to start a family and be there for them, but on the other hand, there is still a severe lack of good bagels in SB proper, and he would like to see that problem solved. Lastly, I asked him what his favorite order was — he told me he likes The Deluxe on a sesame and onion bagel. In conclusion, Yetz’s Bagels is a major food staple for many in Isla Vista, but behind the restaurant is a story, and a man who is dedicated to his craft. What originally started as a restaurant serving bread bowls has sprouted into a restaurant serving (in my personal opinion) the most delicious bagels you can find in Santa Barbara county. Overall, Daniel’s story of craft and Polish Jewish heritage shed light onto why Yetz’s Bagels are so delectable and popular.

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.

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.

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.

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.