Wine, Beer and Judaism

On Thursday afternoons, the second floor lounge of Boston University Hillel is transformed. Couches are swapped for tables; ottomans are replaced with ice buckets.

Students reading, laughing, and hanging out become sommeliers-in-training.

Welcome to “Wine and Judaism,” a class here at Boston University exploring the many various relationships between wine and Judaism. Students learn first about wine – etiquette, history, and geography – before turning to Jewish texts.

Our guide? Reb Jevin Eagle, Executive Director of Boston University Hillel.

“Teaching our Wine and Judaism class has been one of the most fun and meaningful things I have done at BU Hillel,” Eagle says.

“For sure, my favorite part is learning Jewish texts about wine with our amazing students as they engage in Torah, Mishnah, Gemara, Mishneh Torah, and Megillah.”

Ezgi Toper, a student in the class who studies journalism and psychology, also notes how important the diversity of the class is:

“For me one of the best aspects of our wine class is how diverse our group is. Students from all walks of life gather in Hillel for an hour a week to sample wine, and describe the taste and smell of it in an open and friendly discussion with one another. As we drink and learn about the importance of wine in the Jewish religion and culture through stories and song, we are reminded that no matter what spiritual or cultural faith we believe in, we are always welcome at Hillel.”

The class seats usually 15-20 students per session and has met 11 times since it began in October.

The class even attracted one of the Board Members of BU Hillel, Jennifer Steber. She says “I wish I had all this information about wine at their age, it is such a great gift.”

Personal Reflections

“For me one of the best aspects of our wine class is how diverse our group is. Students from all walks of life gather in Hillel for an hour a week to sample wine, and describe the taste and smell of it in an open and friendly discussion with one another. Before we are given information on the bottles or types of wine arranged for the day’s curriculum, we get to share how we would pair the flavor with food and how the wine makes us feel. I love hearing everyone’s descriptions of each wine, from woody chocolate to lemon pledge. As we drink and learn about the importance of wine in the Jewish religion and culture through stories and song, we are reminded that no matter what spiritual or cultural faith we believe in, we are always welcome at Hillel.” – Ezgi Toper – Junior (2019) studying Journalism and Psychology

“I wish I had all this information about wine at their age, it is such a great gift.”- Jennifer Steber – Hillel Board Member

“Teaching our Wine and Judaism class has been one of the most fun and meaningful things I have done at BU Hillel.  Each week we do three things: Learn “How To’s” about wine tasting; learn about wine history and geography; and learn Jewish texts about wine.  For sure, my favorite part is learning Jewish texts about wine with our amazing students as they engage in Torah, Mishnah, Gemara, Mishneh Torah, and Megillah.” – Reb Jevin Eagle – Executive Director of BU Hillel, Teacher of Wine and Judaism

Course Description

An introduction to wine history and geography, wine tasting, and the role of wine within Judaism.  Each session will include learning, discussion, and tasting.  This course is open to all students (tasting will only be available to students who are over 21).

Taught by Reb Jevin Eagle, an avid collector of wines from around the world with 30 years’ experience teaching wine tasting.