Getting to Know You:
Q&A with KOACH E-zine Editors

Name: Hanna Hindin

Year in School: Sophomore

Describe your school, including religious demographics:

St. Kate’s is Roman Catholic. About 50% of students self-identify as Catholic, there is also a strong presence of Muslims, Hindus and nature-oriented religions.

How do you feel being in the minority?

I find it to be a lot different from my experience as a minority growing up in St. Louis Park. There are people from all kinds of backgrounds, many of whom have never known a Jew personally before. In SLP, there is a lot of common knowledge among the non-Jews and understanding of our customs. I’ve found myself explaining and educating quite a bit the past year and a half. I’ve never felt discriminated against or been made to feel uncomfortable.

Do you have any stories or examples of what it has felt like to be one of the only Jews in your population?

I took it for granted in SLP that non-Jews usually had at least some knowledge of our traditions and customs. The variety of backgrounds is so great at St. Kate’s, some people came from small towns where everyone was Lutheran or Catholic. They sometimes have never even heard of Gentile favorites like Hanukkah and Pesach. But there are also a lot of people with some knowledge but not a whole lot of understanding and context. I’ve found people to be genuinely interested in learning more and without prejudice.

How do you think the college experience has affected you religiously and culturally as a Jew, if at all?

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I have come to rely very much on my faith as opposed to family traditions. It makes me really appreciate the times when I can participate in traditions with other Jews but I have also had a lot of opportunity for internal reflection about what Judaism means to me. There are a lot of stories about Jews going to college and not being able to hold onto their faith and identity but I feel my convictions are even stronger.

Do you ever have regrets about your college decision?

Not at all. I’ve learned so much from being immersed in a diverse environment. It was also good for me to be in a place where Judaism is not well understood. I’ve learned a lot about the religion and myself in trying to explain concepts and rituals to my peers.

Are there benefits to being a minority?

For sure. When I went to school with a larger more visible number of Jews, "Jewish" was defined by that group. As one of a handful, I can help define what "Jewish" is to my peers. It’s not just "that group of kids with huge curly hair and blah blah blah" but something I choose to portray.

Did your parents have any concerns about you going to a school with such a small Jewish population?  How did you deal with this?

My parents thought it was my decision. They probably would have preferred for me to go to a school with a Hillel and a larger Jewish population, but St. Kate’s fit me for so many other reasons and I have not found my faith to suffer here.

[Posted 2/23/06]