Vanderbilt Hillel and Dores for Israel hosted their annual Israel Week, also called I-Week, from Feb. 17–21. The week featured food and community events in celebration of Israeli culture.

The full list of events included a falafel night, an Israeli Shuk market, a krav maga self defense workshop and a Shabbat service and dinner. A speaker event with writer and peace activist Dalia Ziada titled “The Complexities of the Middle East” was held on Feb. 18. Ziada discussed Middle Eastern politics and her book “The Curious Case of the Three-Legged Wolf — Egypt: Military, Islamism, and Liberal Democracy.”

Prior to this year, the last Israel Week hosted by DFI was in 2023. While Israel Week was not hosted in 2024, similar “Falafel at Midday” and Israel Shabbat events were held in mid-February.

First-year Eliana Lean said she attended the shuk event on Feb. 21, which resembled an outdoor market that would be found in Israel.

“Students could enjoy delicious Israeli food, coffee, participate in making Jewish art — like bracelets and wall decor — and listen to Israeli music,” Lean said. “It was a great opportunity for Jewish and Israeli students to celebrate our identity and share our culture with others.”

Sophomore Griffin Unger, a member of Hillel, participated in “Falafel at Nightfall” on Feb. 17, calling the event a “success.”

“We gave out hundreds of falafels,” Unger said. “[The night is] definitely a fun event we do.”

Unger also expressed appreciation for Israel Week as a whole.

“Israel Week is of critical importance to me. As an Israeli-American, I am very aware of the stigma associated with my ethnicity,” Unger said. “Spreading awareness as to what we stand for and our beliefs is of the utmost importance to help reduce hostilities on our campus and create an environment welcoming to all.”

Hillel, DFI and Ziada did not respond to The Hustler’s request for comment.