By Molly Cuddy

Maryland Hillel, the University of Maryland’s center for Jewish life, hosted its annual Arts Showcase in the Hoff Theater on Saturday, Nov. 9.  

The event was part of Hillel’s family weekend, in which parents of Jewish students came from across the country to see their children and others in the community perform. The showcase was held in memory of Marilyn Allswang Eisenberg. Roni Allswang, one of her 13 grandchildren and a University of Maryland student, spoke a few words about his grandmother before the showcase began. 

Allswang said his grandma was a strong supporter of the arts and an accomplished pianist. 

“Although she passed away a few years ago, the sounds of the beautiful music that will be on display tonight will take me right back to sitting in her living room as she played the piano,” he said. 

The university’s three jewish a cappella groups performed: Kol Sasson, Mezumenet A Capella, and Rak Shalom. Shir Madness, an a cappella group from Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, also performed. Avirah, an Israeli dance company, performed two dances as well.

David Charedoff, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, is a member of Rak Shalom. The co-ed a cappella group was founded in 2005 and performs anything from American pop music to Jewish melodies. 

Charedoff said he joined the group because of its cultural aspect and prestige. Rak Shalom travels to competitions and has placed in several of them. Despite his pre-show jitters, Charedoff said he had a great time performing at the showcase and watching the other performers. 

“I know a lot of people in all the different groups, so it was really fun to see all of them,” Charedoff said.

Jacquelyn Leffel, a sophomore education major, came to the show to see her friends perform. 

“I know a lot of people in all the groups and I know a lot of their songs already so I was really excited to see them perform,” she said. Leffel said she thinks Hillel has provided her with a strong sense of community. 

“In a sea of 36,000 people, it’s nice to have a few hundred that you can have a close-knit community with.”

A few students were brought on stage during “student spotlight” to talk about their experiences at Maryland and at Hillel. Students were able to share an experience that they believe impacted their Jewish journey at Maryland.

David Rosenstein, a senior marketing major, said he had little involvement with Hillel when he was an underclassman. Now, as a senior, he has been to Israel twice with Hillel and has learned a lot through his experiences.

The showcase was also used as a platform to announce the relocation of the Hillel Building. Hillel is currently located on Mowatt Lane. The new building will be on Yale Avenue, behind Landmark Apartments. 

Ari Israel, Hillel executive director, said the vice president of administration called him to offer him the location for the new Hillel. As soon as he heard the address, Israel said they’d take it. Israel believes the new location is ‘beshert,’ or ‘destiny’ in Yiddish.