The second issue of the “HaTanin Journal” explores the idea of connection across Jewish history and culture—threads that stretch across time and place, while also shaping the everyday experiences of students at the University of Florida. The pieces in this issue reflect on how traditions, texts and memories connect generations, showing both continuity and change in the diaspora and in Israel. From the blending of cultural influences to reflections on food, social media, religious rituals, sports and dating, these essays look at how the past and present come together in people’s lives. They also highlight the ways individual experiences are tied to family and community. Together, the contributions show how connection—through ritual, storytelling and shared experiences—remains at the heart of Jewish life, offering both a sense of belonging and a way to make sense of a changing world.
Natalia Aleksiun
Harry Rich Professor of Holocaust Studies/ Eastern European Jewry
Director, Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies