Using paintbrushes and their imaginations, students took to canvases to express their own interpretations of Judaism at the Paint Your Way Through Israel event on Tuesday night, hosted by the Lester and Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center.
The event encouraged participants to paint their own depictions of the landscape of Israel on canvas.
Food industry management senior Becca Fishman traveled to Israel for the first time with an MSU program during the summer between her freshman and sophomore year, and said the experience gave her a greater understanding of the country.
“We went to all areas — historical, touristy, beaches. You try to do everything you can by immersing yourself in the culture,” Fishman said. “I had never been, and I learned about all the places, and I got to experience it.”
Many students use Hillel as a home, connecting them to a smaller community within the large population of MSU.
“It gives a sense of home for Jewish students to come,” human resources junior Madelyne Soltz said. “There are Shabbat dinners every Friday night.”
Hillel is open to any sect of Judaism and level of orthodoxy.
“You can be as religious and nonreligious as you want,” Soltz said.
As the Israeli advocate for the organization at MSU, Soltz formed a stronger connection to Israeli culture after living there for nine months.
“I was able to understand Israeli culture and help students get excited about what Israel has to offer,” Soltz said. “I hope I can continue to be able to show Israel as a positive thing on campus and get the real facts about what’s going on in Israel.”
The sense of community helps students build a network of friends who have a similar belief system.
“The familiar faces of the small community lets people know you,” social work freshman Sara Weinfeld said.
Weinfeld grew up going to Jewish summer camp and a Jewish high school.
“I have always been rooted in a Jewish community,” Weinfeld said. “I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of.”
As some students choose to take more of a role in the community aspects of Judaism, others practice the religion regularly.
“Every morning and night I pray,” general management freshman Jonnie Rozin said.
After visiting regularly throughout his childhood, Rozin sees a future in Israel after he graduates.
“I want to start a life in Israel, and I want my family to grow up there,” Rozin said.
Rozin invites his friends to Hillel whenever he can, even if they’re not Jewish.
“We’re very open,” Soltz said. “We don’t close the doors for anyone.”
