It's so true that living in New York City really does broaden your horizons in the best way possible. In fact, being a student at NYU has enabled me to truly understand the importance of experiencing new cultures and ideas as often as possible. This opportunity has bettered me not only as a student but as an individual as well.
This past Friday, I was able to attend a Shabbat dinner held at NYU's Kimmel Center for University Life. In fact, this past Friday, on March 31, 2017, 2,000 NYU students, parents, alumni, and friends came together for this dinner. This event offered members of NYU to share a Shabbat experience, regardless of ethnicity, age, and religion.
As a Korean-American student who has always attended Catholic mass, this experience was so beautiful because it was something I had never experienced before. Personally, I love attending mass with my family and friends because I love to grow stronger in my faith and it makes me feel stronger and happier. With this, I've never attended a different service and I was really excited to be able to for a night. I believe that despite religion or beliefs, we are all human. We are all humans who care, hurt, dance, sing, and love and being able to experience a service different than what I've been used to was incredible. The best part? I felt oh so welcomed.
The first hour consisted of a reform Shabbat service. It was an hour of singing and praising. Although I couldn't read Hebrew, I was able to hold a song card that had it all written out for me. It was powerful to be in a room with students who sang their hearts out; not everyone in the room was Jewish and I think that was the best part. This event promoted diversity and it was so evident in the room.
A part of the service mentioned the need and the importance of having an open-mind and caring for one another. During the toughest times, it's important to recognize how you are never alone and it was amazing to see this idea promoted among our community within the one and only, New York City.
I was able to speak with Kate Blumenthal, a student who has attended this event throughout all four years of her undergraduate career, and ask her a few questions about her thoughts on this large scale event.
1. What does this event mean to you?
Kate: It is all of my life in New York City coming together. From NYU and beyond, this event is so special to me because it emphasizes on the cohesiveness of our community. I was able to attend all four years, one being held in Florence while I was abroad, and I loved every single one.
2. To those who weren't able to attend and to those who are hesitant about attending next year, what would you like to tell them?
This event is really fun and super chill. At this event, you can bond with others and meet those completely different from you - and that's not even the best part! There's a free dinner as well! This year, we had strangers sit at our table and it was amazing to meet and bond with people from all over. This event is so special to me because it represents diversity and togetherness all in one. To those who are hesitant about attending, please please please don't be scared. It's meant for all of us to come together and experience an amazing night with new and old friends.
Personally, this was my first time attending Shabbat service and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was able to hear a group of inspiring individuals come together for an hour and sing his and her hearts out. I was able to stand next to my sisters, my close friends, and strangers and feel at ease I was able to be myself and stand firm with my beliefs, while also learning from others around me.
Mourners Kaddish, which happens every service, is a prayer that is said in honor of the deceased. The words, if you're observing a yard sight, an anniversary of their death, say their name were spoken in order to honor those who have passed. It was a choice to either say the name out loud or to speak it in your head and keep the name close to your heart.
After the service, we went to go eat a meal and sit family style. Here, I was able to hold conversations with individuals I had never spoken to about her experiences and life lessons.
This experience taught me that it's important to stay open-minded and go out and experience the world, even if it doesn't require a far travel. This experience further taught me the importance of diversity and companionship - you can find a friend in all situations. We are all human and it is important that we all care for one another. In a world as crazy as this one, it's crucial to welcome each other with open arms and the first step is coming out of your comfort zone and embracing one another's hopes, beliefs, and dreams. As always, keep moving forward, there is so much out there for us to see!
*The website below presents more information about the event and I encourage you all to read it!
http://www.bronfmancenter.org/s2k
