Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

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Current logo of National Hillel

Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life (or simply known as Hillel International) is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. Hillel's stated mission is "to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world^[1]."

1 History
2 Services
3 Criticism
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

The organization was founded in 1923 at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign by members of the local Jewish and university communities. It later came under the sponsorship of B'nai Brith, which served as the sponsoring organization until the 1990s. By then, it encompassed 120 Hillel foundations and affiliates at an additional 400 campuses. The name "Hillel" comes from Hillel the Elder, a sage who moved from Babylonia to Palestine in the first century. His message was that, in all Jewish endeavors, let us "love and pursue peace, and by loving our fellow creatures, may we bring them to Torah."

Since its creation, Hillel has contributed to the success of the Jewish community by creating welcoming campus environments in which Jewish students can pursue the dream of higher education. Today, Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world.It is estimated that 91 percent of college-age Jews — approximately 350,000 individuals each year — attend some form of institution of higher education^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Services

Any Jewish student may participate in Hillel — no membership is required. Hillel is proud to support 251 affiliated Foundations, Program Centers and Jewish Student Organizations that serve students at 513 campuses throughout the United States and Canada. Hillel foundations are also located in Israel, South America, and the republics of the former Soviet Union. Hillel affiliates are found in Australia and the United Kingdom. Hillel ensures high operating standards through ongoing review, consultation and accreditation.

In 2006, Hillel completed a strategic planning process that changed the way the organization operates. As part of this strategic plan, Hillel articulated a new vision: to inspire every Jewish student to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life. Hillel’s new mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Hillel pursues this mission by: Creating a pluralistic, welcoming and inclusive environment; Fostering student growth and the balance in being distinctively Jewish and universally human; Pursuing tzedek (social justice), tikkun olam (repairing the world) and Jewish learning; Supporting Israel and global Jewish peoplehood; A commitment to excellence, innovation, accountability and results.

Hillel activities vary from campus to campus, with an emphasis on responding to the needs of students at the local level. Local campus Websites are linked at www.Hillel.org. In addition to these local initiatives, the organization undertakes movement-wide programs:

Hillel.org is a window into the world of Hillel that provides information about current Hillel activities, local Hillel contacts, and Hillel resources^[2].
Hillel's Guide to Jewish Life on Campus is the most comprehensive source of information on Jewish life on campuses around the world. It is widely used by students, parents and guidance counselors in choosing universities^[3].
The Taglit-birthright israel: Hillel program, made possible by Taglit-birthright israel, provides a free, ten-day, campus-based trip to Israel for thousands of Jewish students, ages 18-26, who have never been to the country on a group tour. Taglit-birthright israel is a collaboration of philanthropists, Jewish federations and the State of Israel^[4].
The Israel on Campus Coalition is a partnership with the Schusterman Family Foundation, brings together over 25 Jewish organizations committed to Israel advocacy on campus^[5].
The Joseph Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Learning provides Jewish resources and staff training to enhance the work of campus Hillels in providing meaningful Jewish experiences and learning for students.
The Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corps employs recent college graduates for one-year fellowships on 100 campuses to engage Jewish students and provide innovative Jewish programs^[6].
The Soref Initiative for Emerging Campuses provides support for Jewish student programs on campuses with small Jewish populations and without a full-time Hillel professional.
The Charlotte B. and Jack J. Spitzer B’nai B’rith Hillel Forum on Public Policy brings together college students each year for a three-day conference to explore public policy and social action.
Hillel’s Charles Schusterman International Student Leaders Assembly convenes Jewish student leaders from around the world each year to build leadership skills and Jewish knowledge.
The Hillel International Professional Staff Conference, held annually, is designed to sharpen the skills of Hillel staff and advisors from affiliated campuses.
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Tzedek Hillel Initiative transforms Hillel Foundations and their communities by helping students to pursue social justice.

In addition to providing resources to students on campus as undergraduates, Hillel International also provides job offers, free trips to Israel (see Birthright Israel), and student leadership programs post-graduation. Also, as recent graduates, students can join the Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corp (JCSC) and share the Hillel experience, as well as learn skills necessary in the work place.

Hillel is also dedicated to social activism. These initiatives include alternative spring breaks dedicated to service, a Yom Kippur Fast Action Campaign, March for Women's Lives, and the Oxfam Fair Trade Coffee Campaign, among many others.

[edit] Criticism

One criticism of Hillel is the use of the motto "Wherever we stand, we stand with Israel." Some believe that this alienates Jewish students who do not believe in the concept of Zionism^[7].

Another criticism has been the monopolistic tactics that the group is alleged to have used to assume primacy over the Jewish campus scene^[8]. While this criticism has somewhat diminished since Richard M. Joel left the organization^{[citation needed]}, Hillel's approach varies from campus to campus.

In 1997, Jeremy Deutchman, a graduate of Hillel's JCSC fellowship and a student member of Hillel's board of directors, wrote a lengthy article in Tikkun asserting that Hillel engaged in the wholesale "dumbing down" of Judaism, and providing stylish, yet meaningless Judaism instead of substantive Judaism^[9]. He argues that this is because the organization had become overly donor-driven, and had hence compromised Judaic quality.

Recently, Hillel president Avraham Infeld has been challenged in traditional circles for asserting that Hillel accepts intermarriage (marriage of Jews to non-Jews)^[10].