Earlier this semester Meredith College’s Jewish Student Association (MCJSA) was formed. According to MCJSA president, Eden Mshar, ‘27, “The biggest reason that 2024 [was] the year JSA…formed was because of the record high number of Jewish students on Meredith’s campus.” Mshar went on to explain that “There have always been small numbers of Jewish students on campus, but never enough to fill out the entire roster for prospective members, which [requires] at least 20 signatures.” She also added that there was an increased desire for safe spaces for Jewish students in the wake of the Oct. 7th attack on Israel, which led to a rise in antisemitism targeting Jewish students, according to Hillel International. Clary Taylor, ‘26, a member of MCJSA, added that “Jewish students deserve safety, security, and community; and MCJSA aims to be an environment in which students (Jewish and Gentile alike) can celebrate Jewishness in a world that often villianizes it.”
Mshar expressed a desire to provide a feeling of safety and comfort to Jewish students at Meredith, as well as promote the needs of Jewish students on campus. She also intends for MCJSA to be a support system for members to be able to advocate for themselves, particularly in regards to “the way that antisemitism is handled on campus,” as well as provide opportunities for raise awareness and educate the Meredith community on Judaism. Mshar stated that “Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion in the world, but its historical significance reaches so much further than its religion.” Taylor echoed this sentiment, saying the group wants “to primarily center Jewish joy and create a space in which Meredith Students can learn more about Jewish culture and religious practice.” Mshar posed the question: “As the only ethno-religion, there are so many interesting aspects of Jewish life and culture that can be shared, and where's a better place for knowledge than a college campus?”
Mshar said that she intends for MCJSA to “host 1-2 Shabbat meetings a month where [members] could gather to celebrate, relax, and recuperate with [the MCJSA] community,” explaining that “Every Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown is a celebration called Shabbat, a day of rest that many Jews spend congregating with friends and family in order to welcome a period of rest after the week's work (this is also when religious Jews will attend Synagogue!)” She added that Shabbat meetings “would of course be open to the Meredith community with the understanding that it would be a religious service.” Mshar also mentioned hosting cultural events, such as “Israeli/Jewish bake sales, Challah baking nights, and perhaps even a Latke cook-off competition to celebrate the arrival of Hanukkah,” as well as celebrating Jewish holidays during the semester. Taylor added that Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is quickly approaching and that there will be celebrations for“the beginning of year 5785 on the Jewish luni-solar calendar (this year Rosh Hashanah begins the evening of October 2!).” Taylor added that other holidays throughout the year include “Sukkot, Pesach, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, and more;” which she hopes to be able to recognize as a club.
Students can learn more about the club on the MCJSA Instagram. Their Instagram page provides posts about influential Jewish figures in history, as well as information about upcoming Jewish holidays.
By Lola Mestas, Copy Editor
Photo courtesy courtesy of Eden Mshar