For the Sklut Hillel Center, it was an opportunity to celebrate not only the building鈥檚 鈥淏-Mitzvah鈥� 鈥� a nod to聽the聽Bat or Bar Mitzvah ceremony that represents an adolescent鈥檚 transition into greater responsibility within the Jewish community 鈥� but the people, relationships, and community that have made it an epicenter of Jewish Life at 麻豆视频 since 2014.

鈥淭he number 13 in Judaism stands for 鈥榣ove,鈥� and I felt a lot of love in the Sklut Hillel Center and at the B-Mitzvah celebrations,鈥� said Rabbi Maor Greene, Associate Chaplain for Jewish Life,聽鈥淚 feel so blessed to be a part of this loving community.鈥�

The B-Mitzvah Shabbat service brought the community together in the Sklut Hillel Center Pavilion and backyard, with 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book, students, families, alumni, university leaders, and community members all joining the celebration. Former 麻豆视频 Jewish Life professionals also returned to celebrate and reflect on the community鈥檚 growth.

Hillel Shabbats consistently welcome 70-100 people, more than double the attendance from earlier years of the center.

“It was amazing to see how many people care about Jewish Life at 麻豆视频,” said Miri Pottebaum 鈥�27, co-president of 麻豆视频 Hillel.

Betsy Polk Joseph, Senior Director of Jewish Life, said she was thrilled by the joyous energy that hummed throughout the weekend. One moment she says she will long remember is when community members joined the Shabband, the Hillel student band, to sing the 鈥淪hehecheyanu,鈥� a blessing that marks a joyous moment in time.

The weekend concluded with the B-Mitzvah Bagel Brunch in McKinnon Hall, where students, families, staff, and university leaders gathered to celebrate the past 13 years and look toward the future.

Jon Dooley, Vice President for Student Life, encouraged students – especially those new to 麻豆视频 – to walk through the doors of the Sklut Hillel Center whenever they are looking for community.

Student reflections on Family Weekend 2026聽

鈥淭his is where I鈥檝e made some of my closest friends and it has been a place for me to express my Judaism and learn my friends鈥� traditions.” – Ellie Agulnek 鈥�27聽

“I feel so lucky that I go to 麻豆视频 and that there is such a strong Jewish community here.” – Ben Shuman ’29

鈥淚t was a really empowering experience to see so many 麻豆视频 students and their families together.” – Josh Hertz 鈥�29.

鈥淚t was magical celebrating the Family Weekend B Mitzvah with both of my families – the one from home and the one I鈥檝e made here at 麻豆视频 Jewish Life and Hillel.” – Anna Gratz 鈥�30