Orientation week stall was a big hit
The AUJS banner was colourful and vibrant, and the Israeli flag was on display together with leaflets, printouts of menorahs, Magen David lapel stickers, and succah decorations.
The Melbourne University Jewish Students Society (MUJSS) began its campus activities on Friday, February 23 with an Orientation Week stall at the Student Union’s Summerfest Clubs Expo and a rugelach picnic on the South Lawn of the campus.
President of MUJSS Sara Lupton said, “When planning our stall, we thought carefully about what to put on display, concerned for the well-being of MUJSS committee members and students visiting the stall. Fortunately, we encountered no antisemitism, provocation, or hostility.”
The AUJS banner was colourful and vibrant, and the Israeli flag was on display together with leaflets, printouts of menorahs, Magen David lapel stickers, and succah decorations. Many students stopped by to sample the snacks, have a shmooze and sign up for membership.
“During the Orientation Week debrief what came to mind were the simple things, like students drinking grape juice together, seeing new faces at our rugelach picnic, and overseas students meeting and mingling with local students,” Lupton said.
The University of Melbourne can sometimes be a volatile campus. What made Orientation Week satisfying and memorable was the large Jewish student turnout at MUJSS activities.
“It was heartening to see dozens of Jewish students stopping by the stall, exchanging summer vacation news and experiences, bonding together, sampling and sharing Jewish food, and receiving recognition from students at adjacent stalls.”
The University of Melbourne Professors Leon Mann and Steven Prawer, members of the Jewish Academics Alliance visited the stall to show solidarity and support and congratulate MUJSS student leaders.
MUJSS increased membership with 60 students, Jewish and non-Jewish signed up bringing total membership to approximately 150.
Following the October 7 massacre, the worldwide surge in antisemitism has led many Jews concerned for their safety to be wary of public places including university campuses. In response, Jewish student leaders and faculty have built supportive alliances, information-sharing networks, and online communities.
This same motivation drives AUJS in its aims to represent and safeguard Jewish University student interests, promote the free expression of Jewish identity on campus, counteract antisemitism, deliver meaningful Jewish learning and education activities, and hold informal social gatherings and celebrations.
AUJS membership is up 70 per cent from 2023 and is approaching 1000 members. Jewish students are urged to become members of the Jewish student society in their university and participate in a wide array of interesting and rewarding activities.
Students can join their university’s Jewish student society by signing up at aujs.com.au
comments