Cincinnatian Sarah Shmoel took over as executive director at Miami University Hillel earlier this year, and for her, the opportunity felt like a chance to support students the way she had when she was in school.

“My mom passed away in my third week at Ohio University,” Shmoel said. “I called the Hillel director, and explained my situation and that I wanted to sit Shiva, I wanted to say kaddish for my mom every single night for the 30 Days like I was supposed to, and the Hillel director said, ‘Not a problem. I will make sure you have a minyan every single night.’

“I just thought, like, if this is what this director is doing for me, what is she doing for other students?” she said.

It was that support and the experience of a welcoming community that kept Shmoel coming back, and even briefl

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