Jewish Life on Campus an Interview with Dr. Jehuda Reinharz the Road

CONTACT

WINTER 2000 / SHEVAT 5760 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 2 THE JOURNAL OF JEWISH LIFE NETWORK /

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KK EE RR WW OO II SS WW HH TT E LL E II FF EE NN contact WINTER 2000 / SHEVAT 5760 VOL 2 NO 2 The University and the Jews: An Era of JEWISH LIFE NETWORK / Renaissance or an Age of Darkness? Rabbi Niles Goldstein Editor here is a great debate taking place within the American Eli Valley Jewish community as to whether we live in a period of Copy Editor decline or of opportunity in terms of Jewish life and identity. David Winter T Needless to say, and perhaps in sharper and more intensified ways, the Administration Kawana Bell same socio-religious dilemmas and struggles at the heart of this inter- Administration nal debate affect the lives of the large number of young Jews on college Paul Golin campuses. This issue of Contact is devoted to exploring the topic. Creative Consultant Yakov Wisniewski There seems to be a proliferation of new, dynamic programs today Design Director devoted to reaching the Jewish college student. But does this flurry of

JEWISH LIFE NETWORK activity represent a renewal and revitalization of Jewish life at the Michael H. Steinhardt university, or a desperate last gasp by the Jewish leadership to connect Chairman with an increasingly vanishing population—a population that is vital Rabbi Irving Greenberg to the survival and growth of our community and that is searching for President meaning and identity? Jonathan J. Greenberg Executive Director Hillel, the largest and most visible of the various organizations CONTACT is produced and focused on this demographic group, touches 30% of all Jews on distributed by Jewish Life Network, a Judy and Michael Steinhardt college campuses. Several new initiatives, such as Lights in Action, Foundation, 6 East 39th Street, Jewish Heritage Programs, Jewish Campus Service Corps, and others, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016. are working to reach beyond the traditional constituencies that have Phone: (212) 279-2288 Fax: (212) 279-1155 been served over the past few decades. Despite the success of these Email: [email protected] programs and initiatives, the vast majority of Jews pass through college

K O M L I Y R I S Jewish Life Network is E R V What can be done? In the essays and interview that follow, some of the A A E dedicated to strengthen- H

L C ing and transforming most important and innovative figures in Jewish campus life describe J K E R W O I American Jewry to S W H T E their efforts and offer their views on how to stimulate the minds and L I F E N ensure a flourishing, sustainable community in a fully inte- ignite the souls of young Jewish women and men. What is at stake is grated free society. We seek to revitalize nothing less than the future of our people. We know that this is a Jewish identity through educational, religious and cultural initiatives that are matter of great interest to all of you, and we strongly encourage you designed to reach out to all Jews, with to write us back with your thoughts and opinions. an emphasis on those who are on the margins of Jewish life.

Photography in this issue by Helene Glanzberg and ArtToday. Rabbi Niles Goldstein

2 CONTACT An Interview with Dr.JehudaReinharz by RABBI NILES GOLDSTEIN

NG: There seems to be a prolifera- do you think it has any real impact tion of new and innovative pro- on the American Jewish commu- grams on college campuses being nity as a whole? directed toward Jewish students. Do you think this represents a JR: I think that Jewish studies pro- Renaissance of Jewish life at uni- grams have already had a long versities or an aggressive attempt to career of having an impact on the stem an ever-intensifying decline in community. First of all, I believe Jewish life there? good research of any sort is amenable to effective practical JR: My sense of that is true for implementation, if it’s done right. every aspect of Jewish life, and it is We had this conversation yesterday as follows: keep on investing in with the Board of Overseers Jewish life at any stage, at any at the Cohen Center here at time, in any place whatsoever Brandeis, which does research on where there seems to be any inter- the Jewish community. And there’s est. These endless debates in the a debate, as always there’s a debate: Jewish community about whether should we be more practical-ori- it is better to invest in this cause or ented, should we be more schol- in outreach or in high schools or in arly, and so on. Good scholarship community centers are sterile leads to effective results if there is a debates. Wherever the Jewish com- will to implement it. We are the munity can invest, it should invest. People of the Book, which means Inevitably, this is going to mean that we have produced lots of that it’s not only a question of books that are collecting dust on a money but of putting the best peo- shelf somewhere. ple we have in those contexts. And We are the People the best thing would be not to NG: As Kohelet says, “Of the mak- straight-jacket people and tell ing of many books there is no end.” them, “This is the outcome I of the Book, which want.” Say to them, “Let the imagi- JR: That’s right. And not only nation, let the particular culture of books. I’d like to have a dollar for means that we have a program or a Hillel or God every research project, every com- knows what on campus have its missioned study that was done that produced lots of own momentum.” And that’s the has never been used. So I think the way it’s going to work. I would not question then is are you willing to books that are see this as a last gasp attempt to implement the research? revive Jewish life. collecting dust on NG: How important is Jewish life NG: Jewish studies programs have on campus to the overall survival a shelf somewhere. emerged all over the country. What and future of Jewish life in do you think accounts for this, and America? Where on the priority scale of the community is it? Where Dr. Jehuda Reinharz is President and should it be? Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History at Brandeis University. JR: I think that college campuses

WINTER 2000 3 ...much more emphasis ought to be placed on film, on the arts, on music, and their impact or potential impact on Jewish identity

can do something that very often is ing competition between Jewish could care less. We also need to not done in the community. That is organizations, to in effect forge a come to the realization that apart the teaching of pluralism. There may kind of pluralistic approach within from American and Israeli Jewry, be different services on Friday night, the community. Like any aspect of there are some other Jews around in but I can tell you that after the serv- education, it takes time for this to the world. We need to think much ices tonight, five or six hundred stu- become the mantra of anything, more internationally than we ever dents are all going to be getting whether it’s a university or a Jewish have. I would also say that much together for a Shabbat dinner, regard- organization or a foundation. But more emphasis ought to be placed on less of whether they are on the right I think the fact that the leadership at film, on the arts, on music, and their wing or the left wing or unaffiliated, the highest levels seems to think that impact or potential impact on Jewish and I don’t know who is doing the this is an important aspect—and by identity. We have to rediscover where kiddush tonight, but if it happens to the way that’s true in Israel too—to young people and not so young peo- be a woman, trust me, everybody me is very encouraging. ple are at today and use those vehi- there is going to be listening. There cles to bring them in. are other contexts in which that can NG: What are the areas in university happen, but part of what we are life where the community is not ade- NG: What is your view of efforts about is being a community that is quately dealing with the Jewish of the smaller, “entrepreneurial” open to everyone. So I think that the needs of students? What kinds of foundations compared to the more universities have an important role efforts and application of funds are traditional, community-wide here in the teaching of these kinds of needed to correct the situation? Jewish philanthropies? values, and in fact forging the kind of friendships between people who JR: First, no matter how much effort JR: The various family foundations would never have gotten together in has been put into the issue and philanthropies are doing great another context. of pluralism, there needs to be more work, but what we do not have is a of it. I think we need to do a much group of people sitting somewhere NG: Do you think pluralism is better job on the whole issue of that thinks strategically about the becoming a higher priority among Israel, in which Charles Bronfman whole range of things that can be Jewish leaders? and Michael Steinhardt and others done in the Jewish community, and are trying to stem the tide [through how to best deploy our resources. JR: I think more and more, although the Birthright Israel initiative], but a And it is not a matter of not having of course there are also discordant total communal effort is required resources. I hear this mantra very notes here, there’s no question. But here. I think Israel is slipping from often—“We don’t have the money to I was very impressed that at the our consciousness, and I am talking do everything.” We have all the meeting at which Charles Bronfman about our collective consciousness. money and then some. It’s a question introduced the new leadership of the You now have a generation of young of will. United Jewish Communities, he people who have no clue what Israel talked about his interest in minimiz- is, and as a matter of fact, some

4 CONTACT TheRoad Renaissanceto by RICHARD M. JOEL

re we on the brink of a Jewish renaissance? A Tradition may hold that prophecy has departed from the Jewish people, but those of us who work with college students see the future before us every day. And the future we see is a future of rebirth. The picture wasn’t always so bright. Not too long ago the Jewish community recognized that it had reached a point of diminishing numbers. “Continuity” became the cry of the day as Jewish organizations at the local and national levels struggled to understand and combat this crisis. Hillel, as the primary organization charged with providing Jewish programs to college students around the country, became one of the leading proponents of continuity. But we quickly learned that we were missing the point and that the continuity agenda was fatally flawed. As Hillel Board of Governors Chairman Edgar Bronfman and I traveled the country speaking with college students, we found that “continuity”—and, by extension, our whole approach to Judaism—did not have resonance for them. Students did not want continuity, that is, more of the same. Students preferred “renaissance,” something fresh and new, something that spoke to them, something they could create and own themselves. We discovered that in our rush toward continuity we had forgotten to get to know the “continuers.” To bring about renaissance, we would have to understand the members of this generation and give them the

Richard M. Joel is President and International Director of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.

WINTER 2000 5 those of us who work with college students see the future before us every day

Jewish experiences they wanted, non-traditional activities, the concept that we could risk watering down the needed and deserved—wherever, of Jewish programs changed radically. Jewish content of our programs. The whenever and however we could. We Kosher dining and religious services creation of the Joseph Meyerhoff needed to give them a Judaism that became just two options in a range of Center for Jewish Learning was was positive and celebratory and that creative alternatives for students who intended to provide an infusion of added value to their lives. Institu- wished to “do Jewish.” We believe classical Jewish learning into all of tionally, that meant beginning our that as long as our “doing” is pas- our programs at every level. own process of organizational sionate and celebratory, constructive No environment is more dynamic renewal and reinvigoration. We and life-affirming, informed by our than the college campus with its would have to provide the facilities, great history and pointed toward a ever-shifting population. It is there- programs and professionals to offer better future, our doing is Jewish fore essential that all participants in unprecedented levels of service to doing. Hillel’s mission is no longer Hillel’s work on campus have the this endangered species of young just servicing activists but “maximiz- opportunity to learn, renew and Jews. By finding new resources and ing the number of Jews doing Jewish respond to new trends. With the help making the necessary changes, with other Jews.” This mission state- of the Schusterman Family Found- Hillel’s organizational renaissance ment has become the byword of ation, we created annual training paralleled and propelled the reshap- Jewish renaissance on campus. programs for students, professionals ing of Jewish life on campus. National programs, such as our and lay leaders to enable them to As we deepened our understand- Charlotte and Jack J. Spitzer Forum share their experiences on campus ing of today’s students it became on Public Policy and our new Tzedek and to sharpen their skills. apparent that we were dealing with Hillel initiative, were created to pro- Renaissance is not about struc- two distinct populations. Hillel’s core vide opportunities for Jewish stu- ture and programs but about results. population traditionally has been dents to express their activism— We see renaissance in the flowering activists who sought our resources to whether political, artistic, or ath- of creative programs across the coun- express their Jewish identity and to letic—in a Jewish environment. We try, in the doubling and tripling of become community leaders. We work have actively worked with the Greek participation in Hillel programs on to empower these students to become system and have created partnerships campus, and, ultimately, in the leaders of the Jewish community. with the AEPi fraternity and AEPhi impact we are having on individual The more challenging population sorority. Hillel provides grants for students. was the vast majority of students student-designed and student-run We know that renaissance is real who would never participate in Hillel programs that creatively meet cam- when we hear from students such as activities and who have limited pus needs. Hillel’s participation in Erin Slaten, a sophomore at the Jewish backgrounds. Renaissance the Birthright Israel program may be University of California, San Diego. would live or die depending on our the best engagement opportunity yet, “Coming to college, I had no desire ability to engage this group. These enabling us to bring 3,000 college to include myself in Jewish activi- young people needed to be reached students for a meaningful encounter ties,” she wrote recently. “But the in their dorms and Greek houses, in with Israel and with their Jewish Jewish community on campus really student unions and at social events. identity. opened me up to my Jewishness. We created the Steinhardt Jewish In our continuing effort to elimi- They are some of the most caring, Campus Service Corps to address nate obstacles to participation, we open, hard-working and dedicated this group. JCSC fellows are recent undertook a national campaign to people I have ever met. They are the college graduates who proactively modernize Hillel facilities, adapt reason I started to come to Hillel engage students who would not ordi- them to current student needs and events and keep coming.” narily participate in Hillel activities. move them closer to campus. But in Renaissance is about multiplying As these young people engaged the process of affixing mezuzahs and this experience thousands of times students on campus in a variety of lowering thresholds, we recognized over on campus and beyond.

6 CONTACT ewish communal professionals, fun- ing Jewish friends and proposed that ders, family friends and peers sud- Friday night dinner be a part of her Changing J sorority house’s week. When her sugges- denly turn to me to get a sense of what Jewish life is like these days on tion received a lukewarm reception, she with the campus. My involvement in collegiate felt it was due to students’ ignorance Jewish life has forced me to become an relating to Jewish ritual. Still a third stu- Times: expert. While I answer that I believe dent received the Lights in Action CD- Jewish life is growing and improving, I ROM with its section on spirituality and recognize that my experience as a Jewish Jewish meditation and bemoaned the fact student on campus is definitely not typi- that there is no outlet for his spiritual Students cal. I attended Barnard College, where inclinations on his campus. Jewish life thrives famously. I majored in These are students who are searching Connect Jewish studies. After graduation I became to make their Jewish identities more the co-director of Lights in Action (LIA), meaningful and to relate Judaism to their with an educational organization for Jewish everyday lives. Lights in Action merely college students. Still, I see my desire to picks up on these appeals for Jewish out- Judaism enhance my own Jewish experience as lets. Student activists like the above-men- part of this larger trend of progress. tioned students are involved in planning in their It seems students are taking owner- general educational seminars, a confer- ship of their Jewish identities in practical, ence for Jewish students involved in Own meaningful ways. At Columbia-Barnard, Greek life, and a retreat for students students spearheaded numerous initia- interested in God and spirituality. Jewish student movements such as Ways tives: an academic journal of Jewish scholarship, a pluralism group, and the Lights in Action have probably benefitted first daily women’s tefillah group. I pro- from a recent tendency toward multicul- by TALI ROSENBLATT posed my major in Jewish studies as a turalism. Our collective American fascina- special major. This year it is a formal tion with our individual pasts and tradi- option in the course catalogue. tions has now been incorporated into the Lights in Action as an organization college experience. The phenomenon of reflects this trend of students taking burgeoning ethnic studies departments responsibility for creating their own in general, and Jewish studies classes meaningful connections to Judaism. LIA and departments in particular, points to began eight years ago when a group of students’ interest in exploring their own students felt compelled to infuse their heritage. Certainly, the students who peers with the excitement and enrich- organized and participated in LIA confer- ment they felt was lacking in the lives of ences for Jewish-Latino students as well Jewish college students. They planned a as for children of interfaith families were night of bonfires and singing and inspired attracted by the opportunity to delve into others to recognize the power of students questions of their own identities. to transform Jewish life. The energy from Of course, there are students without that night transformed the students into any interest in making Judaism a part of an organized body of activists who reach their lives, and there are campuses with- 85,000 students twice a year with an out formal outlets for Jewish living such educational mailing and continue to as Hillel. But when I look at the larger empower students to plan both local picture, I see students who are curious to and national conferences on themes of examine how their roots and traditions particular interest to college students. speak to their contemporary concerns. Through Lights in Action, I have the While at Columbia-Barnard, I was opportunity to speak with students on surrounded by students who had oppor- many campuses. I recently met a student tunities for Jewish involvement all who told me he was reading the Bible. He around them and yet continued to create said he had been interested in a girl who more of them. Working at Lights in was not Jewish and felt frustrated that he Action, I meet students who also strive to couldn’t answer her questions about his spread Judaism as it relates to the particu- own religion. So he surfed the web for lar interests of North American college students. I see the profusion of Jewish Tali Rosenblatt is the Educational answers and settled down to read the Director for Lights in Action. She gradu- outlets as indicative of the emergence of Bible. Another student called our office ated from Barnard College in May ’99 requesting help to make her Jewish soror- an on-campus culture where students feel with a BA in Jewish studies and was editor ity more Jewish. She complained that invested in the project of renewing Jewish of Columbia University’s Journal of Jewish joining her sorority was her way of mak- life for themselves. Scholarship.

WINTER 2000 7 aving been involved in cam- and retreats, and visit with mentors— not a person affiliates with an institu- pus work for approximately Jews who were outstanding in their tion or organization is of minimal H 20 years, and having started chosen fields—who would inspire importance. They must realize and cel- the Chabad House at the University of them Jewishly and professionally. ebrate their membership in the most Pennsylvania, there is one story I Michael graciously gave the funds and important group—the Jewish people. always tell about the origins of the came down to Penn to launch the pro- With such large numbers of Jews Steinhardt Jewish Heritage Programs: gram in the Houston Hall Student being “lost” to assimilation everyday, Center. It was the typical outreach technique of immensely reaching one person at a time is insuf- exciting and ficient. By seeking out Jewish individ- Reaching soon other uals who already are leaders in their the organizations social circles, a new network of Jewish Unreachable began to use communities can be established “ ” this “peer to through groups of already existing A Peer to Peer Approach peer” approach friends. When the “right” individuals by RABBI MENACHEM SCHMIDT at Michael’s are motivated, they, in turn, reach out encouragement. to their own peer groups. By turning- Every Friday night we would have a Now, JHP has grown from 12 students on an entire social circle to Judaism, Shabbos dinner in the Chabad House reaching out to their friends at Penn to thousands are being reached through at Penn with 60 students singing, car- hundreds of students working on 12 the leadership of a relative few. rying on, and telling stories. For a few campuses, our newest being the Through this process, we normally years the Hillel director, Michael University of Virginia. reach 25% of the unaffiliated Jewish Kaplowitz, would come over after the Historically, in 20th-Century Ame- students on fully functioning cam- meal, and we would all go out to the rica, if one wanted to make a Jewish puses. This is, by all estimations, great porch to say good Shabbos and good contribution, it would be done by sup- results. It is the cornerstone of JHP. night. Across the street would be the porting a Jewish institution. But by Friends reaching out to friends to fos- SDT sorority, with 800 Jewish kids 1990, the National Jewish Population ter and celebrate their active “mem- drinking beer on their porch. It was Study had revealed that most Jews no bership” in the Jewish people. Friday night, but they were oblivious. longer felt this sort of institutional All of us doing work on campus The problem was obvious: How do we connection. The study served as a are having a major impact in the cur- reach those kids? wake-up call to Jewish institutions, rent “Renaissance” in Jewish student Fortunately, in the fall of 1993, highlighting the problems of assimila- life. But my greatest concern is that, as buildings are Inspiration going up, trips are being comes more planned, and programs are being from a person funded, we must not be swept speaking from away by the excitement of our his or her successes. We heart... than must never lose sight of the need from any to create an inspiring experi- specific ence for these students, one that “activity” continues to invigorate them Michael Steinhardt offered to help us tion and the status quo. It became clear later on in their lives. In each case, implement our dream of “peer to peer” that a new paradigm for reaching Jews inspiration comes more from a person outreach. We would start Steinhardt had to be established. The strength or speaking from his or her heart, regard- Jewish Heritage Programs. Students benefits of an institution could no less of religious orientation, than from would become interns, go to meetings longer be the appeal of Judaism—a any specific “activity.” We have made personal spark must touch the individ- enormous strides, but we must be sure ual, creating a sense of spirituality, in that each experience carries a personal Rabbi Menachem Schmidt is Executive order for that person to choose to let touch and real enthusiasm. Director of the Jewish Heritage Programs. Judaism into his/her life. Whether or

8 CONTACT ne might think that with all encouragement, I would never have the stresses and pressures of joined Sigma Delta Tau. Most impor- Ocollege, there is enough to do tantly, through the members of my without the additional commitment sorority, I was given the Jewish expe- The of a sorority. At least that is what I rience I never received through other thought when I began my studies at activities at my university. My mem- Jewish the University of Kansas. I thought bership in the chapter was more than that I would be able to meet Jewish simply another club to add to my students through other outlets and resume. Through community service, Sorority that I could receive a Jewish college scholastic achievements, and social Experience experience through Hillel and other action, I realized that being in a by KAREN ISLEY Jewish organizations. I was unsure of sorority is more than just a social what a Jewish sorority, let alone any commitment. Sororities offer women sorority, would offer me, and so I leadership, service opportunities, decided not to go through sorority friendships, and career assistance for rush. a lifetime. In addition to all of these One day, a classmate began talk- opportunities, Sigma Delta Tau ing to me about her sorority, Sigma enabled me to meet other Jewish Delta Tau. She asked me to go with men and women, and to strengthen her to a meeting and I agreed, believ- my identity as a Jewish woman. ing she would never call. She did, Joining the chapter afforded me however, and I reluctantly went to the opportunity to live and work the meeting. Her action was simple, alongside women with whom I yet with that phone call, she gave me shared not only the bond of sister- the opportunity of a lifetime. As soon hood, but also the bond of Judaism. as I arrived at the sorority house I felt Through my sisters I have come to the warmth I had been missing. It realize that my religion is as crucial was then that it occurred to me to my well-being as is the company exactly what a Jewish sorority could of those I love. I don’t think that I offer. Not only was I given the oppor- would have been able to forge the tunity to live with other women who lifelong bonds I now have with my shared similar religious and cultural sisters were it not for the fact backgrounds, I also was given the that we shared so much more chance to explore my Jewish heritage than just Sigma Delta Tau. with other Jewish women, learning Being afforded the chance to and growing with them. solidify a foundation in More and more women are real- Judaism is a privilege I izing the impact that being in a now know that I can- Jewish sorority can have on one’s not take for granted. college experience. There is nothing If not for my like celebrating Hanukkah with all of involvement in a your sorority sisters… and there is Jewish sorority, nothing more exciting than knowing my college that no matter where you go or what experience would have been lacking you do, your sorority sisters will in a fundamental way. I can confi- share a similar bond that was mani- dently say that as an alumna, I gave fested during your initiation. Being a my all to Sigma Delta Tau and con- member of SDT made college more tinue to reap the benefits . comfortable for me. My sisters gave me the self-confidence and motiva- Karen Isley graduated from the University tion I needed to make an impact in of Kansas Phi Beta Kappa in 1999, with a BA the sorority and on my campus. in Communications and English. During her I often think of how different I time at KU, she served as the Sigma Delta Tau President. She now lives in St. Louis would be had this member not where she is pursuing a law degree at reached out to me. Without her Washington University.

WINTER 2000 9 programs, and build learning communities. The Jewish Jewish Students on Campus JewishRenaissance: Renaissance Web Page provides a forum for discussion A New Model for Campus Life of Jewish issues, and Jewish by RABBI HOWARD ALPERT Renaissance versions of “Cliffs Notes” provide back- n a recent Friday evening at The JRP is premised on the notion ground on Jewish celebra- the University of Pennsylvania, that serious students are intellectually tions. Popular Jewish faculty 32% claim the myth that engagement active and spiritually seeking, and that members are recruited for O that the campus Jewish activities (“outreach”) cannot be programming for them can provide more mini-courses in areas of their Jewishly substantive or spiritually than “lowest common denomination personal interest, and cam- organization has many compelling was shattered once again. Judaism.” This, and its focus on guiding pus-wide symposia bring interesting activities. On that evening, dinners organized by students as they integrate their Jewish attention to Jewish issues student interns from Hillel’s Jewish activities into their overall university while providing material for Renaissance Project (JRP) were held in experience, sets JRP apart from the many follow-up discussions. In one locations all around campus. It was a outreach programs of an earlier era. instance, a roundtable dis- Jewish Renaissance Shabbat. The principles of Jewish Renaissance cussion with Alan Dersho- 19% claim that The dinners offered more than programming have been successfully witz, Eliot Abrams, and while they go to kiddush and kugel. One was publicized applied in a variety of settings. When Shoshana Cardin on the Jewish events, they as a “Learners’ Shabbat” for students Hillel extended its engagement activities future of the Jewish commu- don’t feel entirely with little or no familiarity with Shabbat into the university’s residence halls nity drew more than 700 stu- 8% are fully comfortable. practices. Thirty-five students shared a (known at the University of Penn- dents and led to five Shabbat satisfied with Shabbat dinner—some for the first sylvania as “college houses”), student dinner/ discussions across Jewish life on time—and explored how different Jews interns were recruited from each college campus. campus. can experience Shabbat in different ways. house and given the resources to make The results of these Students who chose a second dinner exploring and celebrating Jewish life an efforts support the premise came prepared to discuss a lecture deliv- integral part of the college house that Jewish engagement suc- 10 % feel that experience. Working with other ered at Penn by Benjamin Netanyahu ceeds when it is substantive their campus Jewish earlier in the week. Like many families at residents, these interns organize study and when it allows students 24% feel that organization has the Shabbat table, they argued about groups, plan Shabbat and holiday to find their own paths to the campus Jewish Israel, politics, and Judaism, and found dinners for all residents of the college Judaism in a manner that is organization does nothing to offer that though they have many opinions, house, and create projects that grow seamlessly integrated into not cater to them them. they are a single People. A third dinner from the character of each house. Some other areas of their lives. The or their friends. included students from Orthodox, projects, such as one organized to study Jewish Renaissance Project Conservative and Reform families. They Jewish feminism, have evolved into engaged more than 1300 stu- shared their own Shabbat observances ongoing learning communities. Others dents in Jewish life during and talked about an essay by Arthur have emerged from their college houses the 1998-99 academic year. It Hertzberg on pluralism in the Jewish to become part of the mainstream Hillel is on its way towards engag- community. A fourth Shabbat dinner was program, bridging the gap between ing many more than that by held at a sorority house, where students “engagement” and affiliation with the the end of the current aca- 38% belong to a fraternity discussed their personal experiences of structured Jewish community. demic year. or sorority In the same spirit, Jewish students in being Jewish in a non-Jewish world. The Jewish Renaissance % rate their Jewish campus Approximately 100 students partici- fraternities integrate Jewish and “Greek” Project and the Center for 73 activity as minimal pated in this Shabbat. The dinners were values, through the activities of the Jewish Engagement are sup- recent survey conducted for Lights all different, yet they shared the qualities Jewish Greek Council. Fraternity and ported by Jewish Life ain Action showed that most Jewish 33% rate their Jewish campus that are the hallmark of Jewish Renais- sorority philanthropy becomes Tzeda- Network, a Judy and Michael students, many of whom have some activity as zero kah; Friday night meals become Shabbat sance programming. Each one engaged Steinhardt Foundation. Jewish background, are not very attended some Jewish celebrations for the entire House; and 29% students in the substance of Jewish life, involved in Jewish life on campus, if day school fraternity and sorority members partici- thereby drawing them into the Jewish Rabbi Howard Alpert is Executive at all. Names for this survey were community; each presented a variety of pate in Birthright Israel, Holocaust edu- % attended a Jewish camp Director of Hillel of Greater gleaned from lists of Hillel members 75 perspectives and encouraged students to cation, and social action initiatives. Philadelphia, a regional center of or belonged to a youth find paths to their own Judaism; each Student-led Jewish learning and com- Hillel International. He has served and from university registars and group was held in a venue in which students munity building are at the heart of as Hillel Director at Ohio State traditionally Jewish fraternities and live, learn, and play, allowing them to Jewish Renaissance programming. University and University of sororities. Survey conducted by Illinois, and as Assistant Hillel experience Judaism as a natural part of Student interns work with their peers to Market Strategies. Director at Queens College. everyday life; and each was peer-led. develop educational resources, plan

10 CONTACT WINTER 2000 11 programs, and build learning communities. The Jewish Jewish Students on Campus JewishRenaissance: Renaissance Web Page provides a forum for discussion A New Model for Campus Life of Jewish issues, and Jewish by RABBI HOWARD ALPERT Renaissance versions of “Cliffs Notes” provide back- n a recent Friday evening at The JRP is premised on the notion ground on Jewish celebra- the University of Pennsylvania, that serious students are intellectually tions. Popular Jewish faculty 32% claim the myth that engagement active and spiritually seeking, and that members are recruited for O that the campus Jewish activities (“outreach”) cannot be programming for them can provide more mini-courses in areas of their Jewishly substantive or spiritually than “lowest common denomination personal interest, and cam- organization has many compelling was shattered once again. Judaism.” This, and its focus on guiding pus-wide symposia bring interesting activities. On that evening, dinners organized by students as they integrate their Jewish attention to Jewish issues student interns from Hillel’s Jewish activities into their overall university while providing material for Renaissance Project (JRP) were held in experience, sets JRP apart from the many follow-up discussions. In one locations all around campus. It was a outreach programs of an earlier era. instance, a roundtable dis- Jewish Renaissance Shabbat. The principles of Jewish Renaissance cussion with Alan Dersho- 19% claim that The dinners offered more than programming have been successfully witz, Eliot Abrams, and while they go to kiddush and kugel. One was publicized applied in a variety of settings. When Shoshana Cardin on the Jewish events, they as a “Learners’ Shabbat” for students Hillel extended its engagement activities future of the Jewish commu- don’t feel entirely with little or no familiarity with Shabbat into the university’s residence halls nity drew more than 700 stu- 8% are fully comfortable. practices. Thirty-five students shared a (known at the University of Penn- dents and led to five Shabbat satisfied with Shabbat dinner—some for the first sylvania as “college houses”), student dinner/ discussions across Jewish life on time—and explored how different Jews interns were recruited from each college campus. campus. can experience Shabbat in different ways. house and given the resources to make The results of these Students who chose a second dinner exploring and celebrating Jewish life an efforts support the premise came prepared to discuss a lecture deliv- integral part of the college house that Jewish engagement suc- 10 % feel that experience. Working with other ered at Penn by Benjamin Netanyahu ceeds when it is substantive their campus Jewish earlier in the week. Like many families at residents, these interns organize study and when it allows students 24% feel that organization has the Shabbat table, they argued about groups, plan Shabbat and holiday to find their own paths to the campus Jewish Israel, politics, and Judaism, and found dinners for all residents of the college Judaism in a manner that is organization does nothing to offer that though they have many opinions, house, and create projects that grow seamlessly integrated into not cater to them them. they are a single People. A third dinner from the character of each house. Some other areas of their lives. The or their friends. included students from Orthodox, projects, such as one organized to study Jewish Renaissance Project Conservative and Reform families. They Jewish feminism, have evolved into engaged more than 1300 stu- shared their own Shabbat observances ongoing learning communities. Others dents in Jewish life during and talked about an essay by Arthur have emerged from their college houses the 1998-99 academic year. It Hertzberg on pluralism in the Jewish to become part of the mainstream Hillel is on its way towards engag- community. A fourth Shabbat dinner was program, bridging the gap between ing many more than that by held at a sorority house, where students “engagement” and affiliation with the the end of the current aca- 38% belong to a fraternity discussed their personal experiences of structured Jewish community. demic year. or sorority In the same spirit, Jewish students in being Jewish in a non-Jewish world. The Jewish Renaissance % rate their Jewish campus Approximately 100 students partici- fraternities integrate Jewish and “Greek” Project and the Center for 73 activity as minimal pated in this Shabbat. The dinners were values, through the activities of the Jewish Engagement are sup- recent survey conducted for Lights all different, yet they shared the qualities Jewish Greek Council. Fraternity and ported by Jewish Life ain Action showed that most Jewish 33% rate their Jewish campus that are the hallmark of Jewish Renais- sorority philanthropy becomes Tzeda- Network, a Judy and Michael students, many of whom have some activity as zero kah; Friday night meals become Shabbat sance programming. Each one engaged Steinhardt Foundation. Jewish background, are not very attended some Jewish celebrations for the entire House; and 29% students in the substance of Jewish life, involved in Jewish life on campus, if day school fraternity and sorority members partici- thereby drawing them into the Jewish Rabbi Howard Alpert is Executive at all. Names for this survey were community; each presented a variety of pate in Birthright Israel, Holocaust edu- % attended a Jewish camp Director of Hillel of Greater gleaned from lists of Hillel members 75 perspectives and encouraged students to cation, and social action initiatives. Philadelphia, a regional center of or belonged to a youth find paths to their own Judaism; each Student-led Jewish learning and com- Hillel International. He has served and from university registars and group was held in a venue in which students munity building are at the heart of as Hillel Director at Ohio State traditionally Jewish fraternities and live, learn, and play, allowing them to Jewish Renaissance programming. University and University of sororities. Survey conducted by Illinois, and as Assistant Hillel experience Judaism as a natural part of Student interns work with their peers to Market Strategies. Director at Queens College. everyday life; and each was peer-led. develop educational resources, plan

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“At this moment, American Jewry is engaged in a race between rebuilding and disintegration. I believe we are at grave risk as a community. Yes, I know the story about the ever-dying Jewish world. But today, alas, seems different. Continuation of the status quo is the road to oblivion. So I ask: When you are playing a losing game-what do you do? The answer I propose is: Change the game. Rewrite the rules. Do not accept the comfortable status quo. I am committed to innovation as my philanthropic priority.”

MICHAEL STEINHARDT