In the wake of the High Holy Days, The Tiger asked a couple members of the Clemson community who practice Judaism about their experience practicing at school. Two students, Andrew Kilgore, a sophomore environmental and natural resources major, and Sydney Schusterman, a senior management major, shared their practices, experiences and challenges.
Tiger News: Do you avidly practice Judaism? If so, are you more reformed, conservative, etc.?
Andrew Kilgore: Yes, I am reformed. I usually celebrate and acknowledge High Holy Days.
Sydney Schusterman: Although I do not go to temple very often, I am a practicing Jew. I was raised conservative but now go to an orthodox temple.
TN: Do you get in touch with fellow Jewish Clemson students? If so, how?
AK: I usually meet fellow Jewish Clemson students on campus by coincidence. Most Jewish student organizations are rooted in Zionism and express unprogressive views towards people of color, so I tend to avoid them. Judaism is more of an ethno-religious identity to me rather than one that defines my social group.
SS: I tried to join Hillel when I first transferred but did not have time to keep up with it. I fully support the organization and wish I was more involved.
TN: How do you celebrate the High Holy Days?
SS: Every year for the High Holy Days, I go to temple for services and fast for Yom Kippur.
TN: What’s a family holiday tradition that you’ve brought to Clemson?
AK: None. Judaism is a very food-centered religion so without any means to cook or prepare Jewish food I really have no way of sharing my culture.
SS: On Rosh Hashanah I eat apples and honey to bring in a sweet new year.
TN: Do you struggle finding food for Passover? (If you follow the dietary rules of Passover)
SS: I do not follow the dietary rules for Passover, but I have a family Seder to commemorate the holiday.
TN: What do you wish students at Clemson were more aware of?
AK: Everyone defines their Judaism differently. To me, Judaism is a political/social identity that encourages me to seek social and economic justice. Jews have historically been on the front lines of activism, so I wish others at Clemson understood how and why we are so outspoken about injustices against marginalized people.
SS: Judaism is a beautiful religion based on treating your neighbor with respect and kindness. I wish more people saw it for our holidays and celebrations of life and not just the religion “without Christmas.”
TN: What’s the biggest misconception that Clemson students hold about Judaism?
AK: A lot of people are simply uneducated about the origin of Judaism. It was the founding monotheistic religion in the western world, not an obscure subculture that broke off from something larger.
SS: I have met many people who expect me to also pray to Jesus or to see Jesus as my g-d. Jesus is not prayed to in Judaism because we only follow the Old Testament.
TN: What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a Jewish student at Clemson?
AK: I do not personally feel the brunt of discrimination here, but I find that some student leaders here do not fully listen to and believe Jewish students when they bring up systematic inequalities at the university.
SS: I no longer participate in High Holy Day services, as it takes away from my studies. For example, I had an exam on Yom Kippur and was unable to fast due to stress. I wish more professors would recognize our holidays, especially the High Holy Days.
TN: What events and opportunities do you wish were offered at Clemson?
AK: I would really love some sort of food night at Schiletter with authentic Passover foods.
SS: I wish the events celebrating Jewish holidays were more widespread and not refined to the very small Jewish population.
TN: Do you think Clemson does a good job of acknowledging its religiously diverse students?
AK: Yom Kippur should really be a day off for all Jews at the university. It is a very personal and spiritual holiday and the university’s lack of awareness of this can make me feel as if the holiday isn’t getting the respect it should be getting.
SS: Nope.
Note: Responses have been edited for clarity, brevity and accuracy.
