Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Hillel Sees Double

After June 30th I will no longer be a Hillel professional, but I will still care passionately about Jewish life on college campuses and Jewish college students. So, I am thrilled to read what was announced at the Hillel Summit this week. Hillel will be doubling its campaign, funding to local branches of Hillel, and even the number of Jewish students affected by Hillel programming and services. Kudos to the Schusterman Foundation, which was instrumental in my taking fifteen University of Michigan students to Ukraine last summer, for putting a lot more financial muscle into Hillel's ability to carry out its mission.

From JTA.org

Hillel pledged to double its numbers over the next five years.

In its five-year strategic plan released this week, the largest campus Jewish organization in the United States pledged to double the number of students involved in Jewish life; double its annual campaign; double its funding to local Hillels; and launch an aggressive recruitment and retention program for campus professionals.

To help fund the effort, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman International Center will increase its endowment from $10 million to $100 million. Hillel also pledged to strengthen its relationship with university administrations, Jewish Studies departments and Jewish communities near campuses where it works.

A first step in that direction is taking place this week in Washington, where Hillel is sponsoring a conference of university presidents and Jewish communal leaders. The plan is available here.

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