by Shin Torizuka

There needs to be more support from Earlham on the religious side of things, according to sophomore David Friedman. He has good cause for saying this. The Jewish Student Union (JSU) has been without a rabbi since the beginning of this academic year.

Several faculty members who advised the JSU have left in the past year. In May 2011, Aaron Miller, who was the student rabbi coordinating JSU, graduated from rabbinical school and moved. David Ebenbach, visiting Professor of English, intended to be the faculty advisor for JSU, but he decided to leave Earlham. After the sabbatical departure of Andrew Sloin, assistant Professor of History, only one faculty member was left. Laura Hinkley, senior Director of Development Research, became the faculty advisor for JSU.

However, even with a faculty advisor, JSU lacks a rabbi. A rabbi is a Jewish religious leader who provides guidance, support and help to the Jewish community.

Friedman, one of the JSU co-conveners, said, “It’s something that needs to be taken on by the faculty.” However, it seems difficult to find a new one. Friedman said, “It is a hard position for a student to take on.” This is because the position requires patience, knowledge, planning and talking to the students a lot.

Kelly Burk, Director of Religious Life, is currently on medical leave. Because she is in charge of all religious hiring, no one has been hired to be the student rabbi this academic year.

Friedman said, “Earlham is a place where there is a lot of opportunities for student involvement, which is nice for people to get involved.”

Sophomore Becky Lang, JSU co-convener said “It’s like, well why didn’t Earlham College hire a temporary employee instead of Kelly Burk while she was on sick leave? Just because it doesn’t seem fair to the people doing her work as well as their own; it doesn’t seem fair to students like the JSU, who are hurt because they don’t have anyone hiring anyone for us. On the other hand I understand that the college is in a difficult place financially, so maybe that wasn’t possible or wasn’t feasible.”

What is the solution? Friedman said, “As a group of students we should take an initiative and go to David Dawson.”

Last semester, JSU did not solve this issue, but they are trying to re-focus and organize themselves this semester. Friedman also said, “When it comes to religious aspects on campus, I don’t think they should be grassroots-esque. I don’t think that they should be entirely from the students.”