Minneapolis JSU and Minnesota Hillel joined forces last month to give local teens the opportunity to experience Jewish life on college campus.

On Nov. 18, the teens visited Minnesota Hillel on University of Minnesota campus. Four Hillel members gave them a tour and then led a panel discussion on Jewish life on campus.

Ezra Wolfe, a sophomore at Hopkins High School, says he participated in the event because he wanted to learn more about Hillel.

“My highlight was talking to the current University of Minnesota students,” he says, “and getting to understand what their life is like and what mine could look like in the future.”

Abby Garrett, a junior also at Hopkins, was involved in planning the event and also appreciated the opportunity to hear from the U of M students.

“I loved hearing the panel tell us their favorite things about Hillel,” Abby says. “We could really tell how passionate they were.”

Not surprisingly, one of the topics the group discussed was antisemitism, and how it affects life on campus for Jewish students.

While Ezra says he’s not “necessarily concerned” about antisemitism, visiting Hillel was a positive experience.

“Seeing the Hillel definitely reassured me and gave me a sense of belonging that was comforting,” he says.

For her part, Abby says that antisemitism on campus is a “really big deal,” and she says it will factor into her decision of where to apply for college.

“Hearing the panel tell us about their experience at the U of M over the last year was very insightful and definitely helped ease my nerves,” she says.

“It is so important to have Jewish life on campus,” Abby adds. “It helps students connect and gives them a safe community when they may not have one anywhere else.”