There was great anticipation and excitement among Hillel staff and students over this past weekend as we celebrated several major milestones of the new school year. On Friday night, key faculty and administrators from San Jose State University were invited to join students for Shabbat Dinner. We were honored that San Jose State University Interim President Steve Perez was able to join us. He received an enthusiastic welcome from those in attendance. He could be seen throughout the evening engaging students and his colleagues, expressing his support for Hillel and the Jewish community. In addition to President Perez, the others from the San Jose State University community who joined us for Shabbat were: Vice President for Student Affairs Patrick Day, San Jose State University Police Chief Mike Carroll, Chief Diversity Officer Kathy Wong (Lau), and Jewish Studies Program Coordinator Victoria Harrison. Also in attendance were board members of the San Jose State University Jewish Faculty and Staff Association: President Phil Heller, Treasurer Gary Radine, and Secretary Jonathan Roth. Other faculty members were: Linda Landau (and husband Shlomo), Garrick and Mary Percival, Jill Citron, Jose Villagrana, Episcopal Chaplain Rev. Kathleen Crowe, and Trinity Cathedral Dean, Rev. Julia McCray-Goldsmith. All of us enjoyed great fellowship, the opportunity to learn about Shabbat and the upcoming High Holidays, and a great Shabbat meal.
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