Brandeis Hillel

Brandeis Hillel is a Hillel International affiliate located at Brandeis University, a private research university founded by Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rabbi Louis Lichtenstein. The organization serves the Jewish community on campus, providing a space for Jewish students to connect with their heritage and with one another, much like Harvard Hillel and Yale Hillel. Brandeis Hillel is part of a larger network of Hillel organizations, including University of California, Berkeley Hillel and New York University Hillel, which aim to enrich the lives of Jewish college students through Jewish education, community service, and social events, often in collaboration with organizations like American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League. Brandeis Hillel also engages with other faith-based organizations on campus, such as the Brandeis Catholic Community and the Brandeis Muslim Students Association, to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding, similar to initiatives at University of Michigan and Stanford University.

● History

Brandeis Hillel was established in 1950, shortly after the founding of Brandeis University by Abram L. Sachar, Rabbi Louis Lichtenstein, and other prominent Jewish leaders, including Golda Meir and David Ben-Gurion. The organization has a rich history of serving the Jewish community on campus, with notable events and initiatives, such as the Brandeis University Jewish Studies program, which was established in 1970 with the support of Jacob Rader Marcus and Salo Wittmayer Baron. Over the years, Brandeis Hillel has hosted numerous Jewish scholars and leaders, including Elie Wiesel, Deborah Lipstadt, and Rabbi David Saperstein, who have spoken on topics such as Holocaust studies and Jewish social justice, often in partnership with organizations like Simon Wiesenthal Center and Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Brandeis Hillel has also been involved in various community service projects, such as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, which aim to address issues like poverty and hunger in the United States and around the world, with support from organizations like United Way and Feeding America.

● Mission and Activities

The mission of Brandeis Hillel is to create a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community on campus, where students can explore their Jewish identity and connect with one another, similar to the mission of Hillel at UCLA and University of Pennsylvania Hillel. The organization offers a range of activities and programs, including Shabbat services, Jewish holiday celebrations, and Israel advocacy events, often in collaboration with organizations like AIPAC and J Street. Brandeis Hillel also provides opportunities for Jewish learning and leadership development, such as the Brandeis Hillel Fellowship program, which is supported by organizations like Jim Joseph Foundation and Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. Additionally, the organization engages in interfaith dialogue and community service projects, such as the Brandeis University Interfaith Council and the Waltham Group, which aim to promote social justice and community engagement, with partners like NAACP and Habitat for Humanity.

● Facilities and Location

Brandeis Hillel is located in the Shapiro Campus Center at Brandeis University, which is situated in Waltham, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. The organization has a dedicated space for Jewish programming and community events, which includes a kosher dining hall, a Jewish library, and a prayer room, similar to facilities at Yeshiva University and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Brandeis Hillel is also close to other Jewish organizations and institutions in the Boston area, such as the Combined Jewish Philanthropies and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, which provide resources and support for the Jewish community, including Jewish Family & Children's Service and Hebrew SeniorLife.

● Programs and Services

Brandeis Hillel offers a range of programs and services to support the Jewish community on campus, including Jewish educational programs, Israel advocacy initiatives, and community service projects. The organization also provides kosher dining options and Jewish holiday celebrations, such as Passover seders and Hanukkah parties, often in partnership with organizations like Chabad-Lubavitch and National Council of Jewish Women. Additionally, Brandeis Hillel offers leadership development opportunities, such as the Brandeis Hillel Student Board and the Hillel International Fellowship, which are supported by organizations like Avi Chai Foundation and Mandel Foundation. The organization also engages in interfaith dialogue and community outreach initiatives, such as the Brandeis University Interfaith Council and the Waltham Group, which aim to promote social justice and community engagement, with partners like American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

● Leadership and Governance

Brandeis Hillel is led by a team of Jewish professionals and student leaders, who work together to create a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community on campus. The organization is governed by a board of directors, which includes Brandeis University administrators, Hillel International representatives, and local Jewish community leaders, such as Rabbi Eric Gurvis and Rabbi Daniel Liben. Brandeis Hillel also has a student advisory board, which provides input and guidance on Jewish programming and community events, often in collaboration with organizations like AIPAC and J Street. The organization is supported by a range of Jewish organizations and foundations, including Hillel International, Jim Joseph Foundation, and Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, which provide resources and funding for Jewish education and community engagement initiatives, similar to support from Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and Jewish National Fund.