Shabbat

Religious institutions in Berkeley have begun to offer virtual services, and leaders say they have found an increased sense of community support in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

While many Jewish students think of Berkeley Hillel as a welcoming community space, some have expressed discontent with how it represents their community.

We look back at previous years with content when we feel we have changed, grappled and grown. We feel fulfilled when we’ve had new experiences and made new connections. We embrace newness. At the same time, however, we repeatedly cower from it.

Some of us identify primarily by our zodiac sign. Others identify most closely with their love of pizza. I cling to many identities, but I cling primarily to my Jewishness.

Michael Fuss, a campus alumnus and activist, died July 10 from cancer. Fuss was 72.

As kids, we like our world to be black and white. We want good guys to don capes and bad guys to twirl mustaches. We prefer answers from our parents like “yes” and “no” instead of the far more mystifying “maybe.”