Hillel16 Annual Report Final

1 Cover: Photo with 90th Anniversary Logo - Photo: Newsletter Photos Folders -> Cover.jpg THE HILLEL IMPACT Hillel by the Numbers students hosted Shabbat dinners in their homes and 98 Greek houses across campus 11 houses Greek their to life Jewish brought interns jNET 3,000+students attended a Hillel program giant 1ice menorah 3,665 Hillel kosher kosher Hillel at University University at sandwiches sold U-Go’s and Cafes U-Go’s 300+students joined us every Friday night for Shabbat dinner 653 students attended Bagel Brunches at Hillel We’re #1 Send the most students - over 200 each year - to Israel on Birthright Winner of AIPAC’s 2016 Duke Rudman Leadership Award 2016 Ice Hockey League Champions 2 Hillel by the Numbers While every year feels Generations of students deeply felt what was happening in Israel. They celebrated its highs special, we are so excited and mourned during its lows. They struggled to be celebrating 90 years during its various wars and felt impacted by criticism of Israel on campus, whether during the of Michigan Hillel. first intifada, battling the Michigan Daily, or the latest divestment challenges debated in student When we began to collect 90 years of stories government. from alumni (that we look forward to sharing throughout this year) we didn’t imagine how they In this year’s annual report, you will see all the would transport us to another time. Stories of ways our students keep our rich traditions going alumni who had to drop out of school during the strong, like the Golden Apple Award, Holocaust Depression era. Stories of war veterans studying Survivors Luncheon, and First Year Students of after WWII on G.I. Bills. Stories of the “hop” to kick Hillel (FYSH) programming. You’ll also see all off the new school year. Stories of organizing the ways in which they are reshaping traditions through the “Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry”. to reflect today’s world – with ShabUM dinners Stories of gathering as a community on 9/11, and across campus reaching over 1,000 students then again for its 10 year anniversary on the Diag. in one Friday night, or our jNET interns bringing While the historic moments came and went, so Jewish programming to their peers in Greek much remains constant. houses, or students taking Selfies in the Sukkah. These are all ways in which students are making Generations of students found a sense of Judaism their own through our Hillel today. community and belonging, meeting their closest friends, and even their spouses, at Hillel. Through it all, Hillel’s mission – to enrich the lives Generations of students sought new of Jewish students so that they may enrich the opportunities to explore their identity, be Jewish people and the world – remains relevant challenged by new ideas, and consider what from December 12, 1926 to 2016 and beyond. We it means to be a Jewish adult making Jewish look forward to seeing what impact on the Jewish choices for themselves for the first time. community and the world this next generation will bring in our 90th year. Generations of students felt challenged in their leadership roles, empowered by the opportunities Hillel offered, and elated by Tilly Shames program successes. Executive Director 3 From Generation I am immensely proud of the University of Michigan Hillel and all it has accomplished over the years. Since I first became involved in the 1980s, I have seen the Hillel grow, first under the direction of Michael Brooks and now with Tilly Shames as its Executive Director. Both of them, and countless student leaders, have led this Hillel to be one of the best in the country. I had the pleasure of building Michigan Hillel, alongside Stanley Frankel, in the 1980s. I co-chaired the committee that brought Hillel International from under the auspices of B’nai B’rith to its current independent status. I continue to support (and am immensely proud of) the Berman Fellows, who work with Hillel’s many student group leaders to bring programming to campus. Although I have been involved as a leader in Michigan Hillel for over 30 years, my enthusiasm and excitement for all that Hillel accomplishes has never diminished. It has only grown over time as I see what this Hillel continues to achieve. I am delighted to celebrate its 90th year, along with the thousands of students and alumni who have been touched by this organization. Bill Berman Board of Trustees, Honorary Chair 4 to Generation The beginning of a new semester brings many opportunities: new classes, new friends, a new perspective for the year ahead. As the new Chairman of the University of Michigan Hillel’s Board of Trustees, I am thrilled to be a part of the constantly changing and evolving Jewish community at the University of Michigan. Change can be a cause for uncertainty, but it can also be a cause for celebration and innovation. As a hub for cultural, social, and educational experiences, our Hillel is always improving, innovating, and informing. And even as it explores ways to evolve, it always remains a constant on campus -- providing a home for Jewish students and a place for them to develop on a personal level. Even as the world around us changes too, I am confident that under the direction of our incredible Executive Director, Tilly Shames, the talented staff, and our student-led Governing Board, the University of Michigan Jewish community adapts and grows stronger. In spite of ever-changing and diverse sentiments on campus, Hillel remains a proponent for positive change, and hopefully this attitude will influence the community at large. I look forward to serving the interests and needs of both you and our students as Chair over the next two years. And I am even more excited to see what types of changes we, as University of Michigan Hillel supporters, can make for the better. Bob Stone Board of Trustees, Chair During my time at U of M, Hillel has evolved, but my feelings remain the same: I have a home here. Hillel has provided me with a community unmatched in challenges and rewards. At Hillel, I enjoy a delicious Shabbat meal with 300 peers, discuss diversity within Judaism, or pleasantly procrastinate from studying with friends. On campus I see familiar faces from our close-knit Jewish community, and I am proud to be a part of the Hillel family. The comfort I feel at Hillel is surpassed only by the opportunities I have had. We have partnered with other student organizations to work on projects from raising awareness about sexual assault to a TEDx conference. Our student leaders plan incredible programs and I have learned leadership skills through these experiences. I grudgingly tell people that I am a senior, because it is difficult to come to terms with having only one more year at this wonderful university. Saying ‘bye to Hillel makes it that much harder. Eitan Katz (’17) Governing Board, Chair 5 Outreach Cohort “Although I was originally wary of all of the effort that would go into hosting a number of Jewish events, it couldn’t possibly have been a more rewarding experience. Creating a group of Jewish friends who would come together for Bayit (House) the purpose of celebrating Jewish holidays and practicing Jewish traditions is not something I In September 2015, Michigan Hillel piloted a expected to experience in college; however, jNET (Jewish Network) House called “Bayit,” being able to have consistent Shabbat dinners as an initiative of Michigan Hillel’s jNET made me feel more at home than I have ever Engagement and Entrepreneurship Fellowship. felt here. Our community was so grateful for This apartment provided a space for a the events and my favorite moments were second year jNET fellow, Sierra Lash, and her when friends would say that they felt lucky roommates, Sophie Lev, Sophie Burton, and to have Bayit. Without it, they wouldn’t have Emma Silverman to create meaningful Jewish otherwise commemorated the holiday that we gatherings outside of the Hillel building for their were celebrating. This was a truly enriching peers who otherwise may not access Hillel. experience and I feel lucky to have been a part of the pilot program that created a community which wants to continue to make Shabbat dinner and other Jewish events a part of their school routine.” Sophie Burton (’17) jNET Fellow 6 FYSH Apple Picking FYSH is a central Hillel program aimed at introducing first year students to everything Hillel has to offer. From ice cream outings to Hanukkah parties, a dedicated group of sophomores ensure year after year that the newest students are welcomed to Hillel with open arms Outreach Cohort and engaging programs. Last fall, first year students enjoyed apple picking at a local cider mill followed by pie baking in the homes of FYSH leaders! Francesca Bennett (’18) Break Fast at Chi Omega Shabbat Brunch at Theta Greeklife Engagement (jNET) Over 2015-16, Hillel’s jNET Engagement Initiative trained and supported 14 engagement interns, including 11 in Greek Life, bringing Jewish programming to their communities across campus. 7 Culture Cohort The Hillel Players “Parade,” the Tony Award-winning musical, tells the story of Leo Frank, a northern Jew who is put on trial for the murder of a 13-year-old child in 1913. Already guilty in the eyes of his “peers,” a sensationalist publisher, and false testimony, his fate is sealed. His only defenders are a governor with a conscious and, eventually, his assimilated Southern wife who finds strength and love to become his greatest champion. Although taking place 100 years ago, the themes of this show are still quite relevant to our society today.

Load more