In a lot of ways, Hadas Metzger is a typical Washington University student. A Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies major, she lived in Liggett her freshman year and rushed Delta Gamma.
However, Metzger is not your average 19- or 20-year-old college student. She recently turned 29 and has just returned to St. Louis and the University after an extended time overseas in Israel. Still adjusting to being back in America, she is not even sure whether she is a junior or a senior.
“Technically, I’m a [University] College student this semester,” said Metzger. “I have no idea why, although next semester I should be a senior in [the College of] Arts & Sciences.”
Metzger, who changed her name to Hadas from Laurel, first attended Washington University in 1993. As the date of her graduation neared, it looked as though she might not be permitted to graduate.
“I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities here at all,” she said.
Metzger walked at graduation, but did not receive a diploma.
After graduation, she returned home to Kansas City and tried her luck at entering the work force. Without a degree, though, she found her options extremely limited and was constantly moving from job to job.
“I can’t even count how many jobs I had,” she said. “I was a DJ, worked in retail-you name it, I did it.”
It was not until 2000 that Metzger’s life gained any real direction. When a close friend recommended that she spend some time in Israel, she went online and discovered the Graduate Studies Program at the World Union of Jewish Students in Arad, Israel.
Just months later, Metzger found herself enrolled in the seven-month program, immersed in Zionist Studies, Religious Studies and Hebrew.
After the program ended, in the midst of the intifada, Metzger decided she had not had her fill of Israeli life. She stayed with WUJS for four more months, working for them as a marketer.
Metzger then bought an apartment and became an Israeli citizen. She voted in Israeli elections. Soon after leaving her job at WUJS, she was offered a job teaching English at the Wall Street Institute in Beer Shiva.
For two and a half years, she taught English to adults at the Institute. Because the school did not permit any Hebrew to be spoken, she found it difficult to become fluent enough in Hebrew to pursue any other occupation.
After nearly four years in Israel, Metzger decided to return home and complete her college education.
“I know I deserve to be here,” she said of returning to college. “I want my diploma to say ‘Wash U’.”
While Metzger is content to be home and excited to be completing her college education, she passionately misses Israel.
“My worst day in Israel is still better than my best day in America,” she said.
Once she has completed her degree, Metzger intends to apply to a Rabbinical school to become a Conservative rabbi-a future she says she has been running from since she was 13.
Finished running, Metzger has finally accepted her destiny.