A group of Creighton students do everything from Jewish karaoke to watching Adam Sandler movies to teaching students about Hanukkah as a way to learn about and experience the Jewish culture.

CU Jews, an organization that has been on campus for more than 13 years, hopes to provide programming to enrich the Jewish understanding on campus, said Dominique O’Connor, Arts & Sciences junior and co-president of Creighton’s Jewish organization.

Most would assume that CU Jews is only for those who are Jewish or who are interested in converting to Judaism, but this is not true, said O’Connor.

The organization is nondenominational and includes Jewish and non-Jewish studentss.

“A number of our members aren’t Jewish. We accept people of all nation, creeds and races. We don’t exclude on the basis of anything. Our organization is also for those who want to learn more about Judaism and Israeli culture,” O’ Connor said.

Trevor Gerson, Arts & Sciences senior and co-president of CU Jews, said all of their activities and meetings are about creating an atmosphere and helping non-Jewish students get a better understanding of Jewish culture.

“We are about facilitating a Jewish presence on campus for Jews and non-Jews alike,” he said.

Some of the activities include a Model Seder in the spring, which is to celebrate the first two nights of Passover. The Seder meal is usually celebrated with family, so for those students who aren’t able to go home, CU Jews comes together to celebrate and remember the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt. But it is also a learning experience for those who aren’t Jewish to learn more about the Jewish religion.

Other activities include celebrating and teaching students about Hanukkah, going to synagogue together and going out and having a Friday night meal together before the Sabbath begins on Friday at Sunset.

Last year, social activities included Jewish karaoke night where they sang along to songs by Matisyahu, a rabbi who blends reggae, rock and hip hop into his music. They also watched Jewish movies or movies with Jewish actors such as Adam Sandler movies. Along with these activities, just being together, providing support for one another and having fun are also important to CU Jews.

Brian Clifton, an Arts & Sciences sophomore and a first-year member of CU Jews said there is definitely a sense of community.

“It is more of a social atmosphere more than religious. But the religious aspect is brought in through talking and social events,” Clifton said.

Leonard Greenspoon, Klutznick chair, professor of Classical and Near Eastern Studies and Theology and moderator of CU Jews, said when he arrived on campus he wanted to see what student interests were in starting or further developing a Jewish organization.

As the Klutznick chair, Greenspoon teaches courses related to Jewish studies and plans activities that promote Jewish studies, history and religion. His role as moderator is to provide guidance and support.

“Students interested in Judaism come to me, but students want to talk to other students,” Greenspoon said.

This year, the group is growing with about18 members. O’Connor said this year everything has seemed to click.

“It has been kind of a trial and error with a lot more productive measures coming out of it ”€ a little more trial and a little less error,” she said.

Greenspoon said there haven’t been that many Jewish students on campus, but there has always been a close relationship between the Jewish and the Creighton communities.

“Jesuit universities have always been very welcoming,” Greenspoon said.

Everyone is invited to CU Jews’ meeting, The group meets at 8 p.m. every other Thursday in Swanson north meeting room. The next meeting is Nov. 13.