My name is Maya Bar and I am a third-year Philosophy major. I added the Jewish Studies minor because I am very interested in learning about Judaism and its origins. My whole family practices Judaism and speaks Hebrew but I always felt a bit left out when my parents and their friends spoke Hebrew and about how they grew up Jewish. Apart from being Jewish, I never understood the practices or what events occurred to create specific holidays and such. I wanted to deepen my understanding of Judaism and Hebrew so that I can become closer to my immediate family back home and my extended family in Israel. Taking classes pertaining to the Jewish Minor have helped me expand my knowledge about Judaism and even better, feel more at home!