BU Hillel’s Alternative Spring Break trip to Oaxaca, Mexico
For the second time in two years, 13 Boston University students applied to participate in BU Hillel’s Alternative Spring Break trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Giving up their vacation to perform community service? Trading in the beaches on Cancun for the dirt and sweat of the Pluma Hidalgo mountains in Southern Mexico? Believe it or not, it happened. Ten were accepted, and as many hearts and minds were forever changed.
Positioning an ASB trip as altruistic and magnanimous may be the reason why these students, and so many on campus, are interested in spending their seven-day mid-semester hiatus focusing on social justice work (in fact, hundreds of Boston University students completed ASB experiences this year, most managed through the University’s Community Service Center). Additionally, the attraction of working alongside post-IDF Israelis, who are on three month service terms themselves, was an aspect particularly attractive to both affiliated and unaffiliated Jewish students that applied; however, still, wouldn’t these individuals rather go on a tropical vacation than a trip through Hillel?
The fact is that nine Jews and one Catholic, two males and eight females, three graduates and seven undergraduates challenged themselves to reach a new plateau of self-actualization this spring break. So many Hillel programs across the country (and at BU) focus on the ideas of Tzedakah, Mitzvot and Tikkun Olam, or repairing of the world, but few rarely have a pervasive impact that transforms students’ lives in a significant manner. Consequently, Jewish campus professionals and leaders are left pondering what it takes to invigorate the Jewish souls and spirits in each college student.