Author: Jessica Gelzer
With Hillel’s recent celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship’s Fall Conference in Catalina, Occidental’s religious and spiritual organizations are well underway, organizing weekly religious meetings and celebrating religious holidays and observances.
While some groups work to attract members of their faith to strengthen community bonds, others hope to open the dialogue between different religions.
Hillel is the Jewish association on campus and is part of a national organization with chapters on over 500 college campuses. On Sunday, Sept. 13, Hillel met for its first bagel brunch, a tradition they hope to continue. From sundown on the night of Friday, Sept. 18, and continuing into Saturday, students celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, with University of Southern California students.
A rabbinical advisor is also available in the Harmony Room from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday every week to talk about issues related to Judaism, spirituality or life.
“Being away from home, you have to work extra hard to stay connected to your Jewish roots, and being part of Hillel is the best way to keep the important traditions and remain involved in Judaism,” said Vice President of Programming Sivan Ben-David (sophomore).
The Intervarsity Christian Fellowship has been an organization at Occidental for more than 30 years and is part of a national association on 550 college campuses. Gathering in Lower Herrick, they hold their regularly scheduled “large group,” where all members join together on Thursdays at 8 p.m., with speakers, song and prayer. To supplement, there are “small groups” throughout campus, which are Bible study gatherings of smaller groups of students that meet at different times based on which dorms they live in.
“We’ve been having really great turnouts to large group and small groups, and our numbers have been increasing in the past few years,” said Intervarsity President Megan Boaglio (sophomore).
Aside from weekly scheduled religious-based gatherings, Intervarsity holds social events throughout the year. On Saturday, Sept. 19, “Funky Bowling Night” took place, where participants bought outfits from the Salvation Army, went to In-N-Out and ended the night with bowling.
This past weekend, Sept. 25 through Sept. 27, Intervarsity members headed to Catalina for a fall conference. Isolated from technology, the retreat gave students time for Bible study and to spend time with nature, playing volleyball, snorkeling and hiking.
“Though I love the community of Intervarsity, I feel like I want a traditional setting and Intervarsity is more modern. That is just how I was raised and how I feel I connect to God,” said Elaine Westcott (sophomore).
“We can be serious and vulnerable with each other, but more often we goof around at all the crazy events and just enjoy each others company,” said Boaglio.
Students can also take part in Progressive Christians Uniting (PCU). “PCU was started in part as a safe place for students who were questioning their religious identity to explore non-mainstream Christianity and decide whether or not they identify with the faith. We have also had people very solid in their Christian identity, as well as a few non-Christian students, some of whom were Jewish or Buddhist, and others who were unaffiliated with any religious tradition,” said co-student leader Hannah Dreitcer (senior).
PCU is currently focusing on environmental justice and spirituality, with Local Foods Month in October as its highlight. The event is co-sponsored by the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) and will explore the spirituality of food with various events scattered throughout the month. In addition, the group is looking to do work on marriage equality.
To explore Catholicism, the Newman Catholic Community on campus has Mass every Sunday at 10 p.m. and a monthly Sunday dinner. The group also takes a retreat each semester. This fall they will be going to Lake Arrowhead. “My favorite part of being a part of the Newman Catholic Community is the fellowship. Their positive energy and friendship have brought me so much joy,” said Vice President Cecile Kern (sophomore).
This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.
