To the Jewish community of UMBC: 

UMBC Hillel is working to support Jewish and Israeli students, faculty, and staff during this time of heightened tension and conflict. We know that many of you are experiencing deep fears and emotions, and you are not alone. Please know that we are prioritizing student safety—both physical and emotional, and urge you take care of your mental health. Please do not engage with anyone who makes threatening or antisemitic comments in-person or online. And if you see anything of concern, please report it to ECR and Hillel staff.

We are aware of inflammatory and hurtful statements that are circulating within the UMBC community. We are pained at any demonstration of support for Hamas, a terrorist organization with the stated aim of killing Jews that this month conducted the bloodiest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. There can be no justification for the vile atrocities and human rights abuses committed against defenseless Israeli civilians, most of whom were women, children, babies, and elderly. And there is no justification for the spreading of false information and baseless accusations about Israel, the erasure of Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish homeland, or the use of antisemitic rhetoric here on campus. This serves only to endanger the Jewish and Israeli members of our UMBC community, and that cannot be tolerated in a campus environment that aims to be welcoming and inclusive. 

At this time of shocking grief for the global Jewish community and amidst the explosion of antisemitism in our country and around the world, we hope our community can show up in solidarity with us and that campus can remain a safe space for Jewish and Israeli students to live and learn without fear. 

Our Hillel professionals are available to any student, regardless of faith, who needs someone to talk to, share a cup of coffee, help report an incident, or access mental health resources. We invite you to join us for our weekly communal gathering for Shabbat on Fridays, 5-6:30 PM in the Gathering Space and for Pomegranate, our Jewish LGBTQ+ student-facilitated support group, which meets on Tuesdays, 5-6 PM in the Pride Center.

We also invite all students to learn how to confront antisemitic stereotypes, hate speech, vandalism, and anti-Israel incidents at the ADL’s Words to Action on Thursday, November 9th from 6-8 PM. Dinner will be provided—please RSVP by 11/2.

With prayers for the return of the captives and the safety of Israel, 

The UMBC Hillel Team:

Aliza Silverman, Interim Campus Director

Danielle Baron, Director of Israel and Engagement

hillelumbc@umbc.edu

Terra Miley, 
'25 Chemical Engineering - biotechnology & bioengineering track, Minor: Entrepreneurship

When did you do your Research?

Center for Advanced Sensor Technology with Dr. Govind Rao at UMBC

What is the focus of your Research?

The focus of my research is fluorescent sensor technology and developing genetically encoded sensors to be used in Cell-Free Bioreactors.

What do you enjoy the most about your Research? 

I am surrounded by extremely intelligent engineers and researchers from whom I have the privilege to learn so much from. I am specifically looking forward to working with my mentors, Chad Sundberg Ph.D. student and Dr. Govind Rao, to become a better researcher as well as advancing in my project.

What was the best part of your Research OR What was the biggest learning moment of your Research ?

The best part of my research experience are the small wins and discoveries that are made in the lab each and everyday. Through working with others, it is amazing to see what can happen when multiple different people approach a problem. I have been able to apply what I learn in my classes to my research project. I have been able to learn so much from others, and I look forward to continuing to learn and apply our research to solve real-world problems.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

My advice is to not hesitate to reach out to research labs or internships that you are interested in. Reach out early and do research ahead of time to learn about the research done in the lab.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

I am the Secretary and Communications Conference Chair for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers as well as the Panhellenic Delegate and Historian for Phi Mu, Phi Gamma Chapter. I was also a teaching fellow for ENCH 215, Chemical Engineering Analysis, during the summer.

What are your goals after graduation?

After graduation I plan to continue my education in graduate school, to hopefully pursue my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering.

Learn more about Terra Miley: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/terra-miley-690885268

Seeking Actors, Singers, Dancers, & Musicians 14 - 80 yrs for our 2024 season!

Date: Mon, November 13th

Time: 6:30PM

Location: Motor House, 120 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

RSVP Link

About Bmore Broadway Live:

Bmore Broadway Live is committed to producing Broadway caliber shows with Baltimore talent in 2024!

The leaves of the trees on campus are turning red, orange, and gold as the temperature finally starts to cool down. The semester is halfway over now as the autumn weather settles in, but there are still many great events to look forward to. So take a sip of your apple crisp oat milk macchiato and let’s look at six of the best ways to get in the spirit of the season at UMBC.

Peek “Beyond the Veil”

Throughout the months of October and November, online “Beyond the Veil” lectures will take a look at the ways different cultural histories intermingle with the spirit world, pulling from the Special Collections’ Eileen J. Garrett Parapsychology Foundation collection. Topics include the root of everyday African cultures in spirituality, the origins of Hoodoo during chattel slavery, and the influence of Spiritualism. Join any session of this speaking series for the chance to celebrate cultural histories and the supernatural.

Shiver Your Timbers with Mind’s Eye

“The extraordinary story of the Chicago bellhop who attempted to transfer mental images to Polaroid film,” is how the Mind’s Eye: The Psychic Photographs of Ted Serios is billed for interested readers. Out this October, the book features photography from the Jule Eisenbud collection in the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery’s Special Collections, as well as essays by Emily Hauver ’06, visual arts, exhibition curator, and Beth Saunders, head of Special Collections. If the idea of “thoughtography” (Serios thought he was psychically transferring his thoughts to film) intrigues you, take a look at the images and data created by the mind’s eye of Ted Serios. 

If You Dare, Go See Dracula

If you enjoy drama, the story of Dracula, copious stage blood, or the idea of the deconstruction of horror through a feminist lens, take your seat and enjoy the show! UMBC’s Theatre Department is staging Dracula: a Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really, from November 2 to November 12. The show—which one might compare more to Kill Bill than Saw—will have a free matinee for UMBC students with an actor talk-back for its final performance. 

Production stage manager Tessara Morgan Farley has been researching stage blood for several months to present the most realistic color, texture, and spray. The director of the show, Kathryn Chase Bryer, says, “The fact that I’m working on a show that has a blood person, that’s really special and well done for UMBC.”

Quake in Your Boots with the Hallowzine

With Halloween comes the Hallowzine, commonvision’s annual spooky zine and digital gallery. “It’s very creative and accepting,” says Anna Mishonova ’24, media and communications studies, who submitted to the Hallowzine last year before joining the commonvision staff. “I really enjoyed it, and everyone is very talented. There are some really nice photos, and the poetry can be very moving.”

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Check Out Holly Horror by Alum Michelle Jabès Corpora 

A girl named Evie moves into a place called the Horror House (her first mistake), where the previous resident mysteriously vanished from her bedroom. Michelle Corpora ’03, English, penned Holly Horror, a young adult book published by Penguin Random House earlier this year as a dark twist on a beloved classic. If you enjoy ghosts, mysteries, and scary stories, this book is for you. 

Groove Along to Some Halloween Jazz

Strange things are afoot at UMBC. Come spend the afternoon with the UMBC Jazz Ensemble performing an all-Halloween-themed live (or undead) show. Treat yourself to these tricky grooves! Bring your human soul to the Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall on Sunday, October 29 at 3 p.m., if you dare!

Selections include Giant Steps by John Coltrane, Dance You Monster To My Soft Song by Maria Schneider, Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen, A Call For All Demons by Sun Ra, Oh! by Ernie Wilkins, and more!