Two camels were spotted outside the University Center yesterday. Students were even seen riding them. Along with free food, music, and bracelets, these camels made an interesting addition to Purim Israel Fest 2005.
The festival was sponsored by Hillel of Memphis at the Jewish student union. The goal of the Purim Israel Fest, which has been held on campus since 1997, is "to promote the culture, history, and general information about Israel," according to David Krueger, chairman of the advisory board for Hillel.
The event is also a way for the organization to make both Jewish students and students who are interested in Judaism aware that there is a group on campus for them. Jason Hillner, former president of Hillel, believes that this event is one of the few ways to let these students know this group is there for them.
"Due to the different privacy standards, we can't just get a report from the University of who the Jewish students are, so we hold these events to get publicity so these students can find us," Hillner said.
The Hillel house on Midland provides a gathering place for Jewish students, and gives them a place to study, gather, watch movies, and hang out. The house also provides kosher meals to Jewish students who need them.
Hillner also hopes that the festival will get students talking.
"We also want to provide information to students who may be curious about Israel, and to promote a two-sided discussion about what's going on in the Middle East," Hillner said.
Students not only had the opportunity to learn a lot about Israel, but they also had the chance to have a lot of fun too. The festival offered free falafels and camel rides. And students involved with the organization were also there to make bracelets for students with their name spelled out in Hebrew letters.
Ben Pennington, Spanish and classical guitar major, had a great experience riding a camel for the first time.
"If only I had one to take me to class every day. That would be terrific," Pennington said.
This year's event was Grace Asgedom's second time to attend. The accounting major believes that this festival is important so that students can learn about Israel, especially with the issues that are going on worldwide right now.
"It's a good thing for people to come learn about different cultures, especially with the situation over there now," Asgedom said. "It kind of puts a face to the name."
And putting a welcoming face to that name is exactly what Emily Bernhardt, director of Hillel of Memphis at the Student Union, hopes to accomplish.
"We're trying to bring unity to all groups on campus," Bernhardt said. "A lot of these kids don't even know what Jews are and don't know anything about the Jewish religion. We just wanted to put that out there and show everyone that we're just like everybody else."
Masashi Arai, an international student from Japan, actually did put a real face to the Jewish name for the first time, and walked away with a great impression.
Arai said the event was "very nice because of the food, camels, and bracelets.
"I was very surprised today, because I have never seen Jewish people in real life before today," Arai said. "They were all very friendly and nice. I am very happy today."
Another international student, Fatoumata Ba from Mali, which is on the western side of Africa, also enjoyed the festival.
"It was really fun. I had a good time. The food, riding on the camel, and the weather were all nice," Ba said.
Brooke Windsor, anthropology major, said that the uniqueness of the festival was what brought her over to join the crowd.
"You don't see something like this happening every day on campus," Windsor said. "I think they should do stuff like this more often."
The event attracted many students who, in addition to having a great time, managed to learn about other people, and open up to another culture as well.
"Offering your culture to someone else is kind of like a gift," Asgedom said, "and people seem to really be enjoying it."
