by stacey palevsky
staff writer
The aroma of falafel and the sound of Israeli music will permeate Los Altos Hills this month, as Foothill Community College celebrates Jewish Heritage Month for the second time.
“Our No. 1 goal is to educate and share our culture with the rest of the community,” said Asya Sorokurs, 21, who helped coordinate this month’s activities. “Most students at Foothill don’t know there are Jewish students on campus. This shows we’re here, and this is our heritage.”
Jews are the sixth and newest group to have a month dedicated to their history and culture at Foothill. Other heritage months include black, women, Asian-Pacific Islander, Latino and gay/lesbian/transgender.
The month’s events are open to students and the community.
There are about 16,000 students enrolled at Foothill College. Hillel of Silicon Valley estimates there are fewer than 200 Jewish students on campus, but Hillel Director Sue Maltiel said it’s tough to accurately gauge in part because so many students commute to the school.
Still, she’s thrilled that for the second year faculty, students and community residents can take advantage of the Jewish educational programming.
“At a time when we often hear about the difficulties for Jewish students on the campuses, it nice to see that a junior college is so supportive of its small Jewish population,” she said.
This event is largely funded by the school and is organized by members of Hillel and the campus Jewish student group Jews, Israelis and Friends at Foothill.
This year’s theme is “Jews Around the World.”
Amir Mesguich, 21, also helped plan the event. He grew up in Santiago, Chile, and moved to the Bay Area two years ago. He attended a Jewish high school in Santiago, and volunteered as a firefighter for a Jewish fire station.
“I want people to learn and break up their stereotypes of Jews — that they are this way or that way,” he said. “I also want to get people more familiar with and accepting of Jewish culture.”
Foothill College celebrates Jewish Heritage Month in January. Below is a sampling of their many scheduled events. For a complete listing of events with times and locations, check www.foothill.fhda.edu.
Wednesday, Jan. 10 — Opening Ceremony
Play a variety of Israeli games and enjoy free falafel. Complimentary refreshments provided.
Thursday, Jan. 11 — The Israeli Afro-American Experience
A discussion of how Israel’s 1991 airlift of Ethiopian Jews inspired journalist and author Cookie Lommel to found Operation Unity, a program that links American inner-city youth to Israeli teenagers.
Wednesday, Jan. 17 — The Real Kabbalah: History and Here
Find out what Kabbalah is really about from Rabbi Steve Fisdel, director of Berkeley’s Center for Jewish Mystical Studies.
Thursday, Jan. 18 — Muslim and Jewish dietary laws and luncheon
Learn about Muslim halal and Jewish kashrut laws and enjoy a complimentary kosher and halal meal.
Tuesday, Jan. 23 — Jews of China
Were there Jews in China? Explore the history of the Chinese Jewish diaspora from Jonathan Hirshon, a respected amateur historian.
Monday, Jan. 29 — Ritual Judaism
Learn about the traditions of the Jewish people through unique Judaica items from all over the world, including tallits, mezuzahs, menorahs and more.
CopyrightJ, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California