Rutgers Hillel

Rutgers Hillel is a Hillel International affiliate located at Rutgers University, serving the Jewish community on campus, including students from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, and surrounding areas, with connections to Yeshiva University, New York University, and University of Pennsylvania. As a prominent Jewish organization, it provides a range of activities, from Shabbat dinners to Israel advocacy events, often in collaboration with AIPAC, ADL, and Jewish Federations of North America. With a strong focus on Jewish identity and community building, Rutgers Hillel engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, including those affiliated with Chabad, Orthodox Union, and Reform Judaism. Through its programs and services, Rutgers Hillel aims to foster a sense of belonging and connection to the broader Jewish community, including institutions like Hebrew Union College, Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and Yeshivah of Flatbush.

● History

Rutgers Hillel has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, with roots in the B'nai B'rith movement and connections to Hillel Foundation, which was founded by Rabbi Benjamin Frankel and Rabbi Beryl Wein. Over the years, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of the Jewish student population, with influences from Zionist Organization of America, Hadassah, and Anti-Defamation League. In the 1960s and 1970s, Rutgers Hillel played a significant role in the American Jewish scene, hosting events with notable figures like Elie Wiesel, Abba Eban, and Golda Meir. Today, it continues to thrive, with partnerships with organizations like Birthright Israel, Masa Israel Journey, and Jewish National Fund, and engagement with prominent Jewish leaders such as Natan Sharansky, Michael Oren, and David Brog.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of Rutgers Hillel is to enrich the lives of Jewish students on campus, fostering a sense of Jewish community and connection to Israel and the global Jewish people, in line with the values of Hillel International and Jewish Agency for Israel. Its objectives include providing a welcoming and inclusive environment, promoting Jewish learning and Israel education, and encouraging community service and social justice initiatives, often in collaboration with American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Jewish Community Federation, and National Council of Jewish Women. Rutgers Hillel also seeks to empower students to become leaders in the Jewish community, with support from organizations like AIPAC, J Street, and Zionist Organization of America, and guidance from prominent Jewish educators such as Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Rabbi Irving Greenberg, and Deborah Lipstadt.

● Programs_and_Services

Rutgers Hillel offers a diverse range of programs and services, including Shabbat and holiday celebrations, Jewish learning classes, and Israel advocacy events, often in partnership with StandWithUs, Hasbara Fellowships, and Israel on Campus Coalition. It also provides opportunities for community service, social justice activism, and leadership development, with connections to American Jewish World Service, Jewish Coalition for Service, and Repair the World. Additionally, Rutgers Hillel hosts cultural events, such as Jewish film screenings and Israeli music performances, featuring artists like Idan Raichel, David Broza, and Matisyahu, and authors like Jonathan Safran Foer, Nicole Krauss, and Dara Horn.

● Facilities

Rutgers Hillel is housed in a state-of-the-art facility on the Rutgers University campus, featuring a kosher dining hall, prayer spaces, and meeting rooms, with amenities similar to those found at Yeshiva University, Touro College, and Hebrew College. The building serves as a hub for Jewish life on campus, with resources and support from organizations like Hillel International, Chabad on Campus, and Kohl Jewish Student Center. The facility is also equipped with technology and media resources, enabling students to stay connected with the global Jewish community and access a wide range of Jewish educational materials, including those provided by MyJewishLearning, Jewish Virtual Library, and Sefaria.

● Leadership_and_Partnerships

Rutgers Hillel is led by a team of experienced professionals, including a executive director and program directors, who work closely with student leaders and faculty advisors to develop and implement programs and services, with guidance from Hillel International and Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. The organization also partners with a range of Jewish organizations and community groups, including AIPAC, ADL, and Jewish National Fund, to provide resources and support for students, and to promote Jewish community and Israel advocacy on campus, with connections to Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and Israel Action Network. Through these partnerships, Rutgers Hillel is able to leverage the expertise and resources of the broader Jewish community, including institutions like Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, and Bar-Ilan University, to enhance the Jewish experience for students on campus. Category:Jewish organizations