Mezuzahs Inspire Jewish Pride for a New School Year

Many Friendship Circle volunteers are embarking on a new phase of life as they begin college. To mark this milestone, graduating teens received a beautiful, custom mezuzah case bearing their college colors. This meaningful gift is not only a symbol of Jewish pride and protection, but an especially profound statement on college campuses, where the rise in Jewish pride is a direct response to growing antisemitism.

“When I received a mezuzah from Friendship Circle, I was excited to put it on my door and even more excited when I saw the Ohio State colors,” said Friendship Circle volunteer Asher Zoller. “It’s a great way to remind myself of my Jewish heritage, and seeing the mezuzah every time I come back to my dorm gives me that important daily reminder.”

Each mezuzah case includes a kosher scroll and an informative pamphlet explaining the importance of bringing the teachings of Judaism into a new home. The word mezuzah means “doorpost” and it refers to the small parchment scroll placed inside a decorative case. Mezuzahs are affixed to the right side of the doorway as one enters, delivering the message that spirituality belongs not only in synagogues but also in homes.

“A mezuzah brings G-d’s protection and reminds us of who we are,” said Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, CEO of Friendship Circle. “Giving these mezuzahs to our graduates ensures they carry that pride and connection with them as they begin this new stage of life.”

“Receiving a mezuzah from Friendship Circle was really meaningful to me,” said Indiana University student Keala Goldberg. “It made me feel connected to my Jewish roots in a personal way. The mezuzah is not just symbolic. It’s something I can carry forward, a reminder of both my identity and the friendships I’ve built.”

Friendship Circle teen volunteers carry that sense of pride with them to college and beyond. In a world rife with rising antisemitism, the mezuzah is a powerful reminder of the strength of the Jewish community. Incoming freshmen will also infuse their campuses with Friendship Circle teachings of kindness and inclusion – a crucial counteraction to unrest and division.

“I’ve already started to implement the lessons I learned at Friendship Circle, such as patience and understanding, which has been extremely helpful when interacting with such a diverse group of people at a big school like Ohio State,” said Zoller. “Friendship Circle taught me compassion and empathy, which have also proven helpful in being a better overall friend and roommate.”

Jolie Feig, a freshman at Lehigh University, not only hung the Friendship Circle mezuzah on her dorm room door, but she also taught her roommate how to say the blessing.

“My daughter is proud of being Jewish, and hanging up the Friendship Circle mezuzah at college is another example of her pride,” said Jolie’s father, Greg Feig.

Teen volunteers are not the only Friendship Circle participants receiving a mezuzah. Three thousand local homes will receive the gorgeous symbol of protection. In addition, Friendship Circle is also offering kosher scrolls at discounted prices.

“I’ve learned how important it is to stay grounded in my Jewish roots, even as I enter a new stage of life,” said Goldberg. “Those values – kindness, community, and connection to my faith – are ones I’ll carry with me wherever I go.”

Mezuzahs turn a house into a home, reminding those who dwell within that they are never alone and that they are always living with G-d’s protection.

The Mezuzah campaign marks the third installment of a larger series, Judaism@Home, designed to provide easy ways to enrich our homes and our lives with Jewish meaning and practice. The first project focused on welcoming Shabbat at home, followed by a Tzedakah@Home project.

Judaism@Home kits are inspired by the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s “Ten-Point Mitzvah Campaign,” begun over 50 years ago at the start of the Yom Kippur War. Conceived as a way to inspire the performance of mitzvot, the 10-point program included foundational mitzvot like tzedakah and Shabbat, along with the now iconic street-corner pitches to lay tefillin.

“Judaism comes alive most meaningfully in our homes,” said Rabbi Grossbaum. “The Judaism@Home projects give families simple and beautiful ways to bring Jewish traditions into daily life, reminding us that our homes can be filled with light, meaning, and connection.”