Sydney Shabbat Speaker

This year, we decided we wanted to hear more from our Grapevine Fellows by inviting them to be our student speakers during Shabbat services. Our first speaker, Sydney Finger, spoke on the week’s Torah portion, Ha’azinu, which means “to listen” or “pay close attention.”

Sydney brought the ancient story of Moses into conversation with something many of us experience today, the uncertainty of not knowing what comes next.

As Moses prepares to enter the final chapter of his life, he knows he can’t control what will happen to the Israelites after he is gone. He can only offer his final words, trust that they will find their way. Sydney connected that uncertainty to the experiences many students face today:

“Not being in control of what happens next is incredibly difficult. I know a lot of us might be dealing with an uncertain future... Maybe you’re graduating soon and don’t have a job waiting for you immediately, or are worried about getting into the classes you’ll need next semester. Maybe you’re facing food or housing insecurity. Or maybe you’re just worried about tomorrow, because the future is scary.”

Rather than focusing on what we can’t control, Sydney challenged the community to focus on what we can.

That is what makes hearing from our Grapevine Fellows during Shabbat so meaningful. They aren’t just participating in Jewish life at Hillel 818. They are helping shape it, bringing their own questions, experiences, and perspectives into our community.