Although Ohio University offers a variety of classes that cover a wide array of topics, several students believe there is one topic the university has been neglecting: Judaism.
These students have not been hoping for something as unlikely as a university-approved bartending class or skydiving 101. Rather, Jewish students simply see a need for a class that would introduce them to their own heritage in an academic setting.
David Friedman, an OU senior, has been hoping for a class about Judaism for several years.
There is a religions class that's offered every blue moon by the university. I've seen it offered once
and I'm a senior said Friedman.
It was precisely this problem that prompted Rabbi Danielle Leshaw to create her own solution.
This fall, Leshaw began teaching an Intro to Judaism class at Hillel, 21 Mill St., where she serves as rabbi. The nine-week class is held every Wednesday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Leshaw hopes to begin offering it every quarter.
I realized there were students at OU who wanted to deepen their knowledge of Judaism and since Ohio University doesn't offer many Jewish studies classes
I felt that I needed to offer something to the Jewish students
Leshaw said.
Leshaw said her main focus is to teach students how to live a Jewish life. Topics she plans to discuss include keeping kosher, charitable acts, Jewish prayer and Jewish concepts of God.
Leshaw also said the goals of the course are to give students the tools necessary to do their own Jewish learning on a regular basis outside of the classroom, to enhance their Jewish knowledge so they feel a deeper connection to their Judaism and to get them excited about living a creative Jewish life.
Just as with a university class, students enrolled in the course purchased textbooks and are expected to complete weekly reading assignments, though there is no written homework.
Becca Tucker, one of three students currently enrolled in the class, said that the class seemed like an opportunity to gain a better understanding of her religion.
I was thinking that I'd really like to learn more about my faith and become more involved. I wanted to embrace this opportunity. I wanted to take advantage of it
Tucker said.
Another student, Jenna Thompson, said she is taking the class for a different reason.
I'm interested in converting to Judaism from Baptism. Taking this class has been really informative for me
Thompson said. It's really nice to get to immerse myself in the culture. I kind of hope that it gives me enough knowledge to decide if it's something I really want to commit myself to.
Leshaw said one of her goals was also to encourage faculty who are capable to focus on Jewish studies classes and to discuss Jewish studies classes in the curriculum of the different colleges (at OU).
There's a great need
and that's the reason that I'm offering the class
Leshaw said.
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