News

Syracuse Hillel is excited to welcome three new staff members joining current staff Jillian Juni and Ronen Tzadok! Rabbi Sarah Noyovitz (Rabbi Noyo) will serve as Campus Rabbi, Ian Solow-Niederman will serve as Assistant Director, and Shaina Morrel will serve as the Springboard Fellow for Social Justice.

Learn more about these new team members:

Rabbi Sarah Noyovitz, Rabbi Noyo (she/they), grew up in southern New Hampshire, where she fell in love with Judaism. She graduated from Goucher College in Baltimore with a major in psychology and a minor in music. Goucher was also where Rabbi Noyo first got involved with Hillel and Jewish text study. She went on to attend Hebrew College Rabbinical School in Newton, MA, graduating with a Master of Arts in Jewish Studies and rabbinic ordination in 2020. When she’s not working to make Judaism more radically inclusive and accessible, Rabbi Noyo can be found teaching Zumba classes, playing guitar, and dreaming of having a bearded dragon.

Ian Solow-Niederman (he/him) was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He received a BA in communication, with minors in Jewish Studies and Religious Studies from the University of Colorado. As a student in Boulder he was an active leader with Hillel, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and the University. After college he cemented his love for Jewish communal work with time at AEPi’s Headquarters and the American Hebrew Academy. Over 5 years as the Regional Director for BBYO in Denver he expanded membership, built partnerships, and hosted International Convention 2019. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute. Ian is passionate about college basketball, Taylor Swift, food, and Judaism.

Shaina Morrel (she/her) grew up in Central Massachusetts before attending the George Washington University in Washington, DC where she studied International Affairs, focusing on culture and human rights. She grew up immersed in the Jewish community – URJ camp, NFTY, Heller High, and in college became deeply involved in GW Hillel and founded a chapter of SAEPi, a Jewish First, Greek Second sorority on campus. Along this journey, Shaina found and fostered her love for the intersections of Judaism and social justice, immersing in learning opportunities and spaces to explore these ideas. In her free time she can be found hiking, spending time with family, practicing yoga, and in the kitchen trying new vegetarian recipes. Shaina is excited to be a part of the Syracuse University and the Hillel International communities, to learn with and from the students, and create meaningful, inclusive and intersectional programming opportunities.

Learn more about Hillel at syracusehilllel.org.

Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is an important time of reflection and empathy for observant Muslims.

This year, Ramadan lasted from April 12 through May 12, and for the first time in almost 15 years, the month of Ramadan occurred during an academic semester. The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) and Muslim chaplaincy at Syracuse University provided students with a sense of community and support during their 30 days of fasting.

“There is a strong emotional sentiment that comes with fasting, and at the end of fasting we always look forward to celebrating with our family for Eid. It was hard being away from our families during Ramadan, especially for international students,” says Saad Sayed G’21, MSA chief strategist. “MSA believes that coming together to support each other is what we needed the most during this sacred time.”

Learn more about Ramadan on campus in Syracuse University News.

 

Get to know one of our incredible students, Saad Sayed G’21! Saad majors in engineering management, and is the chief strategist for the Muslim Students’ Association. Learn more about Saad’s experience in MSA:

“As humans we are in constant need of acknowledgement and comfort. That is what we commonly refer as ‘empathy.’ We try to find that in the communities around us. I believe that the Muslim Students’ Association is striving towards that goal. Those of us in the MSA try to be true to the notion – We are one! The selfless efforts put in by our Muslim Chaplain, Br. Amir Duric is highly commendable. We need leaders like Br. Amir, who show compassion and provide guidance with a touch of wisdom to our community as a whole, be it a Muslim or an individual from any other faith. I believe confidence is what makes you stronger and that is bolstered with the company you keep.

It gives me a purpose to make a difference in the lives around us, to try to at least put a smile on a sad face. It has increased the horizon in my eyes to the responsibilities that a Muslim has towards humanity and the message of peace that needs to be delivered. It has taught me to reflect and made me realize that, in order to make our communities better in every way, I myself need to become a role model first.”

In honor of the students at Syracuse University, and to commemorate the conclusion of the Spring semester and celebrate the graduating Class of 2021, the Dean, chaplains and staff of Hendricks Chapel will host a “Blessing of Students” on Sunday, May 9, at 4 p.m. ET on Zoom Webinar.

The virtual program will include musical performances and spoken reflections from Dean Brian Konkol, our chaplains of diverse faiths, and the Hendricks Chapel Choir!

This event is free and open to all, including Syracuse University students, parents, alumni and community members. Captioning and American Sign Language will be provided. Preregistration is not required.

This program will open Commencement 2021 festivities. Learn more about this year’s ceremony at commencement.syr.edu.

Students often seek a safe space on campus where they can feel at home. At Hendricks Chapel, the chaplains, staff and students work together to create an environment that is welcoming of the broader campus community and will continue to benefit those who use it in the future.

Syracuse University recently invested in that mission with a renovation of the Muslim Prayer Room, located on the lower level of Hendricks Chapel. Approved in August 2020 after engaged discussions with the Muslim student community, the project has since been completed.

Learn more in Syracuse University News.

Conversations about faith and religion are often avoided. In the midst of polarized times such topics can be especially daunting. However, as shared by Rev. Brian E. Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, a key to understanding others lies in having these serious conversations.

“For years far too many have been told to not discuss religion in public life, yet in recent times we have witnessed the consequences,” says Konkol.  “So we should not avoid such conversations but instead find ways to have them, and have them in ways that are both safe and brave.”

“The Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders is one of the ways that we are trying to spark and sustain spaces that allow for our students to share their beliefs and learn about the beliefs of others,” he says.

Learn more in Syracuse University News.