Scroll down for more students' answers to 8 Questions.
8? for Molly Wladis
Molly is a sophomore from Delmar, New York, and is studying Economics and Social Policy Analysis.
Why did you choose to attend Rice?
I chose Rice because it felt like home when I came for Owl Days, when admitted students visit campus. The people I met here were genuinely friendly and welcoming. Even on Owl Days, I was able to experience the culture and intellectual curiosity here at Rice.
What is your favorite Jewish holiday and why?
Easily Tu B’Shvat. I think the concept of a birthday for the trees is so much fun! Rice’s beautiful live oaks might be my favorite trees ever.
Molly is on the left with Mira Goldstein at a Rice Hillel Shabbat dinner.
What aspect of Rice Hillel has been the most enjoyable?
I love the rotating Shabbat dinners hosted at each magister’s home. It’s nice that all the magisters have been so welcoming and willing to open their homes to Rice Hillel.
How do you spend your spare time?
I am an avid slow jogger. I also really enjoy exploring Houston’s Museum District with friends, baking, and reading.
What do you say when you’re asked the most annoying question of all: “What will you do when you graduate?”
I eventually plan on going to law school, but I also plan to work for a few years before. Very much keeping my options open.
What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
I remember stopping at St-Viateur Bagel with my family in the old Jewish neighborhood in Montreal and eating hot bagels fresh from the oven.
If you could bake your ideal challah what would you put in it?
Chocolate! My ideal challah is a babka.
Why “do Jewish” in college?
Good friends, good food, good fun, good celebrations!
8? for Danielle Hedvig
Dani is a senior from Los Angeles, and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Why did you choose to attend Rice?
When it came to looking for a university to attend, I really wanted to go to a school that had an amazing, tight-knit community. Rice has so many fun traditions and quirks that make it feel like much more than just a university. It has a unique culture and community that makes campus feel like home. More than that, it has an incredible engineering program and amazing research labs that are working on some of the latest innovations of our time.
What is your favorite Jewish holiday and why?
My favorite Jewish holiday is absolutely Passover! I have such fun memories of my Jewish friends and me being chosen to read the parts of the Wise Child (Chacham), Wicked Child (Rasha), Simple Child (Tam), and the Child Who Does Not Know How to Ask (She'eino Yode'a Lish'ol) in the Passover Haggadah. It is always so much fun sitting down for the Seder, celebrating together, and meeting more Jewish people in the community.
Dani is on the left with her Wikki Stix glasses at a Passover Seder hosted by Rabbis Kenny and Amy Weiss at their home. Seders are always more fun with Wikki Stix!
What aspect of Rice Hillel has been the most enjoyable?
One of my favorite parts of Rice Hillel has to be Shabbat every Friday. After a long academic week, it is so nice to end it with a wonderful Shabbat surrounded by my Jewish friends. We are able to celebrate the end of the week, reflect, and be grateful that we have each other.
How do you spend your spare time?
I love spending my free time exploring the city with my friends, baking, painting, and reading.
What do you say when you’re asked the most annoying question of all: “What will you do when you graduate?”
I plan to work as an engineer in the MedTech field!
What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
I have so many memories of my dad driving to our local Jewish deli to pick up matzo ball soup and bagel chips for me whenever I got sick. It would always make me feel instantly better, and to this day it is still one of my favorite comfort foods.
If you could bake your ideal challah what would you put in it?
My ideal challah would be a rosemary garlic challah, or whatever challah Rabbi Kenny has just made!
Why “do Jewish” in college?
Being Jewish in college has been an amazing opportunity to learn more about my culture, meet incredible people, and be part of a community that is extremely welcoming. I have loved being a part of Rice Hillel, and I truly recommend it to everyone.
8? for Austin Lambert
Austin is a junior from New York City, and is studying Sports Management.
Why did you choose to attend Rice?
When I was in high school, I researched and found a summer course of great interest offered through Rice University. What cemented my desire to attend Rice was when I visited in person. The professor I had only seen though Zoom was so warm and welcoming. In addition, the program in sports management appealed to me, along with the ones in business and history.
What is your favorite Jewish holiday and why?
My favorite Jewish holiday is Passover. I enjoy the communal nature of the Seder and reading the Haggadah.
What aspect of Rice Hillel has been the most enjoyable?
The community we have been building has been incredible. By attending Shabbat dinners I have been able to meet some amazing people. These friends have become some of my closest at Rice.
Austin, pictured center in the green checked shirt, is with Rice Hillel's student leadership at a Shabbat dinner hosted by President Reggie DesRoches at his home.
How do you spend your spare time?
I am an avid sports fan who follows all of my favorite teams. Additionally, I love going to the opera and reading.
What do you say when you’re asked the most annoying question of all: “What will you do when you graduate?”
I plan to work in professional hockey on the business operations side.
What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
Smoked meat sandwiches bring me back to when we would annually celebrate my great- grandmother's birthday. This would be a family reunion and we would all go to the Snowdon Deli in Montreal for the sandwiches, french fries, sour pickles and other treats.
If you could bake your ideal challah what would you put in it?
I'm a traditionalist and like plain challah, with sesame seeds on top.
Why “do Jewish” in college?
College has allowed me to explore my Jewish identity. Though various events, I have been able to connect with my fellow Jews and explore the similarities and differences of our Jewish experiences.