Newman Association and Hillel Host an Interfaith Thanksgiving
By Zach Brooks, Staff Writer
Students sit around a table at the Interfaith Thanksgiving hosted by Hillel and the Newman Association (Photo courtesy of Hannah Repole ’25)
Every Sunday after 5 p.m. mass, members of the Newman Association (the student partner with the Catholic Campus Ministry) and Hillel (which serves spiritual, cultural, and social needs for Jewish students) gather to share a meal in the Christ Chapel basement.
These Sunday suppers are a time for students to come together and share a meal, and in that spirit, the two organizations partnered to host an Interfaith Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov. 20.
“Good food, good people, and football. Not much more you could want out of the Sunday before Thanksgiving,” said Gabe Taub ’25, the house leader of Hillel House.
There was much preparation that went into both the planning and the dinner itself. Each faith organization took on preparing a different part of the meal. The Newman Association cooked the turkey while Hillel provided the side dishes, including Taub’s mother’s recipe for homemade mac and cheese.
“We’re excited to have a group of people from the organizations to come together and celebrate Thanksgiving,” said Colin Thibault ’25, a member of the Newman Association.
The event was well attended, with every seat at the table full, and additional place settings brought out.
Before the dinner began, Hillel member Hannah Repole ’25 led a Jewish prayer and right after, Thibault led a Catholic prayer.
Attendees enjoyed Thanksgiving favorites like stuffing and pumpkin pie and had the chance to socialize with members of the other faith organization.
“I was excited to see and meet other people from different faith groups,” said Lilly Abbott ’25.
Mia McHugh ’25, resident of Hillel and a Catholic, felt holding this event as well as others like it, are important to the interfaith community on campus.
“I didn’t really explore my faith before going to these events. Through planning these events I have gotten to learn more about myself and my faith, and that’s really exciting,” McHugh said.
Students wrote on a blackboard at the Interfaith Thanksgiving hosted by Hillel and the Newman Association (Photo provided).
After dinner, students watched football playing on the TV, talked with faith leaders in attendance, and wrote what they were thankful for on a whiteboard. An impromptu game of football was also organized by attendees.
Marie Hopkins, Director of Catholic Campus Ministries, Religious & Spiritual Life, encouraged students to attend future Sunday suppers. Students can sign-up to receive updates about future Newman Association and Hillel on Engage Gettysburg.
