Student Voices at Queens University's Hillel

The Charlotte Jewish News, May 2023

By Lara Boyle

When students leave home for college and beyond, many wonder how they will maintain their Jewish identity in the “real world,” whether that be grad school or a job in the workforce. Hillel seeks to fill that void and answer those concerns. Queens University’s Hillel is no exception. Before coming to Queens to major in creative writing and joining Hillel, I used to be quiet about my Judaism despite my rich Jewish life. But these four years have grown my desire to be openly Jewish, and as I prepare to graduate this semester, I know I will leave proud to be Jewish in any space I enter.

At Queens University of Charlotte, Hillel offers a place to celebrate Jewish traditions where everyone can come together without any fear of judgment. No matter how you identify or what your beliefs are, all are welcome to experience the light and laughter found at weekly Shabbat dinners and year-round holiday events. But the opportunities for Jewish life don’t stop there. Rabbi Judy Schindler is a professor of Jewish studies, a campus rabbi, and director of the Stan Greenspon Holocaust and Social Justice Education Center at Queens.

The pluralistic mindset encouraged by Queens allows all students to engage in important conversations about religion and continue to learn from one another in and out of the classroom. Asking questions from a space of genuine intellectual curiosity and compassion for others is a pinnacle of Judaism, and an approach embraced at Queens.

One student who exemplifies these traits is David Lindner, whose longtime passion for Jewish life led him to Queens.

“Having Hillel on campus gives me a larger sense of voice and security on campus more than anything,” he said. The fact that Queens, a historically Presbyterian college, has embraced the Jewish community enough to give it space and recognition to exist is truly remarkable and perfectly embodies Queens’ mission to be inclusive to all who attend.”

Lindner, a sophomore communications major, loves the friendships he’s made in Hillel, especially “anytime we get together and have dinner together, laugh, converse, and create remarkable memories.” But his connection to Rabbi Schindler extends well beyond his college education. Lindner has known

Schindler for his entire life, because his family has attended the synagogue where she was a rabbi, Temple Beth El, from before he was born until he became a teenager.

“She has been through every major Jewish step of my life from my bris to my bar mitzvah,” Lindner said. Before he applied to Queens, he dreamed of taking a class with her and furthering his Jewish education into his adulthood. He feels a “great amount of pride to currently be a student in Professor Schindler’s class, ‘The Bible: Who’s In, Who’s Out.’”

Noah Goldman, currently with Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, a Queens alumnus, and the former coordinator of Jewish life at Queens, loved having a space on campus for Jewish students. He returned to campus for the role because he missed being at Queens and felt the work he did as a student in interfaith connections had been left unfinished. He has many good Hillel memories but says one of his favorites is Soul Food Shabbat, a collaboration between Hillel and the Black Student Union to celebrate Black History Month as well as the layered similar history and struggles between the Black and Jewish communities.

“I really enjoyed having a space to share the Black and Jewish experiences with food and stories.”

He found great joy in helping students explore their own Jewish identities and to the extent possible, teaching non-Jewish students about Jewish identity, religion, and culture. He believes Hillel helps Jewish students have a safe space to explore who they are with fellow Jews.

“It’s important that everyone be safe on campus. I think Queens is a safe place but it is important for people to have a space to be with people who share their identity and tradition.”

“While we have many opportunities to continue growing Jewish life at Queens, we’ve made great progress in making this campus a place where young Jewish people can grow and celebrate their traditions and culture,” said Rabbi Schindler. “Just as important, we are investing in cross-cultural and interfaith relationships and understanding, hopefully preparing tomorrow’s leaders to advocate for peace and social justice.”