Spring Break, Pump Up the Community in Hillel-Style Drama Motion COLLEGE GUIDE The Official Hillel Guide to Jewish Life on Campus 2018 Shalom, Y’all PICTURE THIS... “Northeastern’s Jewish community is welcoming and inclusive. With so many creative events and activities to bring students together, BLEED TRIM LIVE TRIM everyone makes strongTRIM BLEED LIVE #GOWITHHILLEL connections.” #HILLELBRI —Sam Starkman, Class of 2020 President of Northeastern University Hillel #BIRTHRIGHT FREEI SRAEL SCHOLARSHIP, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY TRIP.O RG/GO At Northeastern, you’ll have the opportunity to dive into enriching Jewish studies courses, matched with Northeastern’s renowned experiential learning program offering work, research, study, and volunteer @samii_stoloff_photo opportunities in Boston, Israel, and all over the world. And with a broad spectrum of activities—from bagel brunches and weekly Shabbat dinners, to transformative Birthright Israel trips and Hanukkah parties—you’ll Join your #squad on a FREE 10 day #Birthright Israel adventurE thrive in a vibrant Jewish community that students call “a home away from home.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT FREEISRAELTRIP.ORG/GO northeasternhillel.org “Northeastern’s Jewish community is welcoming and inclusive. With so many creative events and activities to bring students together, BLEED TRIM LIVE TRIM everyone makes strongTRIM BLEED LIVE connections.” —Sam Starkman, Class of 2020 President of Northeastern University Hillel SCHOLARSHIP, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY At Northeastern, you’ll have the opportunity to dive into enriching Jewish studies courses, matched with Northeastern’s renowned experiential learning program offering work, research, study, and volunteer opportunities in Boston, Israel, and all over the world. And with a broad spectrum of activities—from bagel brunches and weekly Shabbat dinners, to transformative Birthright Israel trips and Hanukkah parties—you’ll thrive in a vibrant Jewish community that students call “a home away from home.” northeasternhillel.org PUBLISHER’S LETTER COLLEGE GUIDE 2018 Publisher Hillel International Editorial Board Eric D. Fingerhut, President and CEO, Hillel International Tina Price, Chair, Hillel International Board of Directors Matthew Berger, Vice President of READING JORDYN Communications ZIMMERMAN’S essay in this Andrew J. Cohen, Vice President of Technology magazine, I was deeply moved Strategy and Operations by her experience of spending Etan Harmelech, Vice President of Digital and her first Rosh Hashanah in Direct Marketing college alone in her dorm room. Hindy Chinn, Associate Vice President of Information Technology But knowing Hillel as I do, I Geoffrey W. Melada, Director of Communications knew Jordyn’s story wouldn’t Shana Medel, Communications Associate end there. Michael Kusie, Senior Director of Enterprise What impressed me was Applications PHOTO BY ALON FRIEDMAN ALON BY PHOTO how dramatically Jordyn’s Maria Radacsi, Director of Design and Production life changed after she had Elizabeth Munsey, Director of Enterprise just one coffee conversation Applications with an engagement professional at her Hillel — from craving Jewish Editorial and Design community on campus to becoming a successful Hillel engagement intern Mid-Atlantic Custom Media to being named the co-chair of Hillel International’s Student Cabinet. That’s what we call the “Hillel effect.” Director Through Hillel, Jordyn found friends and found her voice. And I know Jeni Mann you will, too. 410-902-2302 As the stories in this issue of the Hillel College Guide show, Hillel [email protected] is more than a Jewish “home away from home.” Hillel is the guide on Editor your journey through college, helping you discover your potential, your Liz Spikol connection to Judaism and your place in the world. Flip through these pages and you’ll learn about Hillel students who are Editorial Team learning entrepreneurship through a Jewish lens, finding career mentors, Joshua Needelman, Joshua Runyan, founding new campus organizations and traveling the world on service- Marissa Stern, Selah Maya Zighelboim oriented Alternative Spring Break trips. And of course, we’re back with our famous “Top 60” lists of the Art Director Sherley Talaiferro schools Jewish students choose, an invaluable tool to help you decide where to spend the next four years (or more) of your life. Contributing Photographer Whether you attend a major university or a small, liberal arts college, David Stuck you’ll find Hillel ready to welcome you into our warm, pluralistic and inclusive community on campus. Advertising Good luck as you begin your college journey. I can’t wait to hear Stephanie Shapiro your story. 410-902-2309 [email protected] Hillel College Guide is produced once a year by Hillel Eric D. Fingerhut International and Mid-Atlantic Custom Media. The President and CEO acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement Hillel International of the products or services by either company. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement that is not in keeping with the standing or policies of Hillel International. Copyright 2018, all rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of the Hillel College Guide without written permission is prohibited. Some mailing Hillel International lists provided by 800 Eighth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001-3724 202-449-6500 hillel.org 4 •• JewishJewish LifeLife onon CampusCampus 2,136 902 students had 1+ people connected Hillel interactions, with Hillel via conversation or last year participation in programs 45% of Jewish undergraduates engaged with Burack Hillel at least once % The University 14 of Vermont had 6 or more uvmhillel.org interactions or participated in a (802) 540-1087 “high impact” [email protected] activity uvmhillel A design thinking Hillel Program in JOIN THE ILLINOIS HILLEL Jewish Studies LEGACY A vibrant community awaits you at the birthplace of Hillel, where you’ll explore and celebrate Jewish life with students from all Jewish backgrounds. Exploring the diversity of Judaism ILLINIHILLEL.ORG Crossing disciplinary boundaries Creating a bridge to the community GO.ILLINOIS.EDU/APPLY jewishstudies.rice.edu hillel.org/guide 5 contents 2018 in every issue 4 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 8 ADVICE 10 HEALTH 12 VOICES 32 ARTS 37 TRAVEL 41 BY THE NUMBERS 50 LAST CALL 20 CMYK / .eps CMYK / .eps 26 28 CMYK / .eps BETTER LATE THAN NEVER BEYOND BAGELS AND LOX YOU CAN CONNECT WITH US IN VARIOUS WAYS. JOIN US ONLINE TODAY! Facebook – Search for Hillel International Twitter – @hillelintl Instagram – @hillelintl » ON THE COVER Jewish students at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, may make up only a tiny fraction of the overall student body, but they’ve found a warm and burgeoning Jewish community through Hillel. Elon is just one of several Southern universities 32 that are increasingly attracting Jewish students. IT’S WORTH Find out why on p. 20. Cover photo by Andrew Bowen. THE SCHLEP 6 • Jewish Life on Campus HHobart andillel William Smith Colleges • Consistently ranked among the top schools in the nation for percentage of Jewish students according to Hillel’s College Guide; vibrant Jewish life with an active Hillel and newly dedicated Leffell Center for Jewish Student Life • Nationally ranked dining program that includes fully integrated kosher dining, the Noshery, under the supervision of Star-K meat and Star-D dairy • Dedication to opening doors for student opportunities in the arts, sciences, business and public health • A highly selective, private, residential college in Allentown, Pa., 90 miles from New York City We invite you to learn more and visit campus soon. 2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA muhlenberg.edu hillel.org/guide 7 ADVICE Surviving Your First Year Advice from those who’ve been there COMPILED BY LILY COLTOFF STUDY SPOTS MAKING FRIENDS “In terms of study “Making friends is not a big deal. Instead spots — get of entering college with the mindset of ‘I creative! Try need to make friends,’ start with looking for to avoid clubs to join, classes to take and floormates studying to talk to. There you’ll find your friends and in your people that have the same interests as you.” room and especially —Natan Yakov ’20, University of Pennsylvania your bed because it confuses your brain about whether it’s a place of relaxation or productivity. I like to find little nooks on campus to switch up my study spots whenever they SHOWING UP start to make me feel anxious “If you’re going to join a club or organization, about the tasks ahead of me.” constantly show up. I’ve found that with organizations, you get what you put into —Carli Fine ’20, them. Stick to the organizations you’ve University of Maryland invested in and that have invested in you back.” —Aviv Reif ’20, Temple University PACKING LISTS “Packing lists are great for telling you how much stuff you need, but what they don’t tell you is what items you need. You might want books to read for fun, which I’ve never seen on any list. Or maybe they tell you to bring rain boots, which you’ve never used in your life. If you think you’ll probably never use something on a list, don’t pack it.” —Emily Kalver ’18, Brandeis University 8 • Jewish Life on Campus ADVICE FIND YOUR FOCUS MAKE HILLEL YOUR OWN “Not everything is for “Walking into Hillel for that everyone and you can’t do first time can feel a little everything. Throughout uncomfortable. But after college, I was a student going a few times, talking government senator, to people and starting campus tour guide, writer to get involved, I felt