UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Monday, December 5,1994
5A
House, faith give students a bond
By Nathan Olson
Kansan staff writer
MTV has "The Real World," and the University of Kansas has Hillet House.
Though not exactly the same, the two are similar in some ways. Both involve a small group of people who live communally for a period of time.
Although the nationally syndicated television show brings together seven different people, the Hillel House brings together six people who share at least one common trait—their Judaism.
This year, four women and two men occupy the house.
The house,940 Mississippi,has been owned by KU Hillet for the past 10 years. Each year,students apply for one of six rooms and the chance to live and learn together.The residents share housecleaning and sometimes cooking responsibilities.
Jeff Katz, New Orleans senior, said that he had lived in a residence hall and a fraternity and that the Hillel House was his favorite.
"It's by far the healthiest place I've lived in at KU," he said. "And it's not just because it's more sanitary, either. There's an emotional aspect to living here. Some of the people I live with I think of as my closest friends."
Another perspective on the house was offered by Beth Ackerman, Dallas sophomore. Ackerman, who lived in a residence hall last year, said that living in the house was much less hectic.
Jenifer Marck, Schaumburg, Ill., senior, said that although she felt a little loss of freedom moving from an apartment to the house, the loss was compensated for by her ability to practice her religion without fear.
"It's nice that we come from different parts of the country but, like at Hanukkah, we all sing the same songs," she said.
"And the noise level is much quieter here." she said.
The students' shared traditions are helpful twice a month when they prepare a shabbat, or Jewish sabbath, dinner for 30 to 40 students.
David Cohavi, Rehovot, Israel, graduate student, claps while Amy Lefkoi, Sioux City, Iowa, junior, sings during a Hanukkah party at the Hillel House. Cohavi and Lefkoi are two of six Jewish students who live in the house.
"Here there is more of an opportunity to really be Jewish," she said. "I don't have to worry as much about what other people think of my religion."
The residents also occasionally have parties. Last Saturday, for example, a Hanukkah party at the house was attended by about 40 people. The party offered traditional Hanukkah foods, such as potato pancakes and doughnuts, and the participants lighted Menorahs and sang songs.
For Marck, the only difficulty about living in the house was in educating others that the living arrangement was not all about parties.
Emily Greenbaum, Plymouth, Minn., junior, said that the parties were one reason she enjoyed living in the house.
"It's a community house, but it's our house, too," she said. "We want people to feel welcome, but we want them to respect that we live here."
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