Keeping up Traditions in College
"Break the fast is literally Jules' superbowl."
This is the general consensus among any of my college friends. But, truth be told, no one throws a more authentic, traditional New York break the fast than me.
Growing up, my religious upbringing was best described as festive and highly non-traditional. My mother, an expert entertainer, made each Jewish Holiday special. For our family, these times were about bringing people together, upholding traditions, and making memories.
Perhaps the most coveted of the Jewish high holidays for my family was Yom Kippur. My mother's break the fast was the beacon of faith I had during the services that seemed to drag on for hours. She would prepare days in advance, stock the apartment with enough bagels, cream cheese, and lox from Sable's to survive an apocalypse, and cook her famous cheese soufflé and Nutella French toast. The hours between getting back from services and sundown were brutal. Soon enough, our apartment would become filled elbow to elbow with all of our family and friends. Of course, laughter, unbuttoned jeans, and the sound of my dad's jazz music playing in the background are what you would expect.
My last Break the Fast before college, my mom taught me the secrets of her Yom Kippur: the recipes for the coveted soufflé & French toast, how to order just the right amount of food, and the importance of entertaining. Passing down this tradition was now up to me. I did not truly understand just how much this all meant to me until I wasn't with my family to celebrate.
As a freshman in college in my first month of school, I was having the time of my life. However, something was missing. Not only was I not going to be home for the holidays, but there was not a good bagel store in sight—Real problems I'm talking about here.
I called my mom homesick and told her how badly I wanted to come home. To alleviate the issue and drama queen behavior, my mom sent over my favorite: Sables. She told me to break the fast at school, start new traditions, and invite all my friends. I admitted it was not a bad idea, and I definitely had enough food to share, so I texted in our dorm floor group chat asking to break the fast together. To my initial shock and then excitement- everyone said yes. We ate bagels, gossiped, laughed, and bonded. This first break the fast brought my future group of best friends together for the first time and started a new tradition.
It's crazy to say it, but bagels and wine bring people together better than anything.
During the day, the preparation, cooking, cleaning, and not to mention - FASTING- is not a walk in the park. Want to know what it looks like? Four girls in robes in facial masks scrambling around the kitchen; my best friend cutting her hand open, cutting a cinnamon raisin bagel, and getting stitches; and my roommate practically burning down the apartment making her kugel.
All of the stress goes away when I see everyone who matters in my life surrounding me, all laughing, smiling and eating. Some of my favorite college memories have been from these nights: meeting and becoming close with my best friends, creating a "nice jewish girl" playlist on Spotify on the days leading up (check it out, great for any dinner party), watching Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on the morning of, introducing my new boyfriend to my guy friends and nervously watching them banter, sing-offs during the big clean up, and recapping the night once everyone leaves.
Traditions have always been important to me. Whether it be the ones passed down to me or the ones I've now created. Bringing people together is something that makes me incredibly happy, and I will continue to do it as long as I can.
Wishing a happy new year to Krush readers that celebrate!
PS Spotify Playlist is linked HERE
XO
by Juliette Cohen, University of Wisconsin- Madison class of 2023