Stony Brook University marked Jewish American Heritage Month with its third annual Big Jewish Block Party on May 8, drawing hundreds of students and community members to the Staller Steps for an afternoon of cultural programming. The event featured music, food, art, and interactive activities designed to celebrate Jewish identity and heritage.
Hosted by Stony Brook Hillel alongside student organizations including the Jewish Student Association, Chabad at Stony Brook, SAMi Sephardic Jewish Club, and Seawolves for Israel, the celebration blended the community gathering with cultural education and creative expression.
“This is our third annual Big Jewish Block Party in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month,” said Jessica Lemons, executive director of Hillel. “It’s an opportunity to come together and celebrate Jewish American heritage, Jewish identity, and Jewish joy. So much of the last 18 months has really just not been joyous… this is a way to be proud of who we are and find community in celebration.”
Attendees enjoyed a wide range of activities, including a kosher falafel food truck, inflatable mechanical bull ride, photo booth, claw machine, and a mini shuk — reminiscent of traditional Middle Eastern markets — offering sweets and dried fruits. Art and culture were also on display, with a student art and identity museum and interactive stations for tie-dye and fabric keychain making.’
“We wanted to include something for everyone,” Lemons said. “Tie-dye and keychain-making honor the contributions of early Jewish immigrants who worked in New York’s garment district. Traditional games like Maude and opportunities like wrapping tefillin reflect our heritage, while students and partners across the community help us bring it to life.”
Community partners like the Family Service League, the SB office of Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement (DICE), and the Suffolk Y JCC also tabled at the event, highlighting campus and local engagement across faiths and organizations.
Arin Pogany, Jewish Education Fellow, led the tie-dye table and emphasized the cultural significance behind the activity. “May is Jewish American Heritage Month. We are a minority in America, and our heritage is super important to us. We’re celebrating being Jewish in America,” Pogany said.
Student groups played a central role in organizing the festivities. Sophomore Shani Abraham, a member of Seawolves for Israel, said the event helped spotlight the strength and openness of the Jewish community at Stony Brook.
“This event, to me, means bringing everyone — even if they’re not Jewish — together, and just showing them our community,” she said. “Being part of Seawolves for Israel has provided me a lot of social and career opportunities and helps teach me about my family.”
The celebration served as a vibrant reminder of the diversity and strength of the Jewish student community at Stony Brook, and of the university’s continued support for inclusive cultural experiences.
“We’re really lucky that we have such a great relationship with the university,” Lemons added. “They ensure that it’s safe and fun, and we’re grateful to our students and partners for helping make it all possible.”
Hillel and the other student organizations involved welcome all students to participate in future events and visit the Interfaith Center, located in the lower level of the Student Union. As Pogany said, “Our door is always open — come hang out, ask questions, and celebrate with us.”
— Beth Squire