Features
Oy Vey
Oy Vey Connects the Upper School Jewish Community
Lucia S. ’23, Hannah S. ’23, and Ben N. ’24 know first hand the important role affinity groups play in creating spaces for students to share their unique experiences, identities, and traditions as Blazers.
Oy Vey, an affinity group open to Jewish students, creates space for Jewish students from various backgrounds to find community and connection. Founded by Ben’s sister Gabriella N. '16, the club meets on Fridays with a focus on building relationships, fun activities like trivia contests, and educational programming like presenting to Middle School students about Jewish identity.
Lucia has been a member since Ninth Grade, and now serves as a club leader with Hannah and Ben. She has found joy in the Oy Vey community and lasting traditions, like cooking frozen Trader Joe’s latkes or making gingerbread Chanukah houses. Lucia makes clear that the latkes must be from Trader Joe’s, and hopes that these special gatherings continue after she graduates. These now-shared traditions have shaped a club wherein students share a common identity and help advocate for one another.
Lucia has also found joy in being part of serious conversations around anti-Semitism at Bush and in the larger world. She says, “it takes trust to get serious,” and affinity spaces offer an inherent trust that club leaders have built upon. The group advocates for the Jewish student experience so that things like the first day of classes do not coincide with Rosh Hashanah, as it has in the past. Lucia also believes it important for all students to learn about Jewish culture and history in the school curriculum, advocating for more information on Judaism to be included in required classes like Historical Inquiry.
When looking to the future of Oy Vey after they have graduated, club leaders want the traditions and shared sense of community at the heart of the club to continue for future Bush Upper School students. The weekly gatherings and conversations have allowed each of them to show-up at Bush as fully themselves and play a part in impacting the greater good.
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 715 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.