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In 1932, University of Mayland’s student newspaper, “The Diamondback” was casting around for a catchy nickname to replace “Old Liners” as a reference for various athletic teams. Dr. Harry Byrd, Maryland’s football coach at the time, favored the allusion to Chesapeake Bay’s turtles and suggested “Terrapins”. The name stuck; today, the “Terps” consist of 27 men’s and women’s athletic teams which represent the University of Maryland in various NCAA competitions.
And now, “TERP” can also be found in three new publications born of a creative collaboration between Maryland’s JLIC (Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) in cooperation with KEDMA (a campus organization for Orthodox Jewish students)! The first publication, InTERPretations, is a compendium of student Divrei Torah on the weekly parsha. The second publication is MasTERPiece, a compilation of over 40 fresh insights on passages of the Haggadah, written by UMD’s Jewish undergraduates. The newly released third publication, just in time for Purim, is CounTERPlot, a fully stocked Megillat Esther, with Hebrew text, English translation, and commentary by students of the University.
As part of a campaign to raise money for the Jewish campus community, CounTERPlot was devised as an exciting way to further involve students and their families in motivational Torah study. This unique megillah provides a welcome forum for students from diverse backgrounds to share the Torah they learn on campus with their friends, relatives, and, hopefully, the world. To quote an editor of the megillah, “With each submission, we were continually awed and inspired by the diversity found in our community’s wealth of knowledge and insight.”
Rabbi Eli and Naomi Kohl, who began their service six years ago as OU’s JLIC Torah educators have said, “We are continuously awed and inspired by our student’s abilities to reach higher spiritual and religious heights whilst attending a secular university. JLIC and KEDMA at the University of Maryland create valuable programming and social networks to support individuals as they grow in Torah Judaism. Our students epitomize these traits when they visit our home on Shabbat, learn with us at Hillel, as well as when they walk through the halls of university.
“We are thankful to the Orthodox Union for investing in our students’ voice and potential. We hope the proceeds and words of Torah from this Megillah, proof of our students’ commitment, will help them excel and grow as Torah Jews throughout their college experience.”
This stunning volume not only provides 30 incredible divrei torah, written by university peers, but also acts as a fully-functional megillah; Hebrew and English texts, brachot for before and after the reading, insights into the mitzvot of the holiday and an awe-inspiring layout will keep readers focused through the reading and beyond.
Be one of the first to own the inaugural “CounTERPlot”, and your purchase will go directly to strengthening Jewish life on campus through JLIC, the Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus and Kedma-UMD, the Orthodox student group on campus. See your friends and children published; support Torah learning on campus; it’s the perfect edition to have on hand at this year’s megillah reading!
Counterplot JLIC Kedma Megillah
Counterplot costs $5 for Maryland students to purchase and pick up at Hillel and $12 for others. For an additional cost of $6 we will ship it to you. Your shipping address will be filled out on the checkout page.
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