by: Evan Knott
The University of Michigan is home to students from a wide array of religious backgrounds, and in particular to a rather substantial number of Jewish students. With so much of Michigan's student population coming from the homes of Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Jews; Hillel plays an integral part in servicing the needs of these students. As the center for Jewish life on campus, Hillel's mission is twofold. The organization first serves to enhance the quality of Jewish life on campus. Secondly, Hillel contributes to the overall campus community through inclusive cultural, social, and religious programming and education.
Founded in 1926, The University of Michigan Hillel Foundation is the third oldest chapter in the country. Located at 1429 Hill St, Ann Arbor, the building provides both a cultural and administrative center for the many Jewish groups that operate through the organization as well as a campus synagogue. Today, the U-M Hillel Foundation serves as an umbrella organization by funding and facilitating over 25 student organizations spanning a broad range of interests and activities. Some of these major sub-units of Hillel include United Jewish Appeal and Volunteers in Action, which provide community service to the area; The Jewish Learning Center; The Annual Conference on the Holocaust; and campus publications such as Consider and Prospect. Hillel also sponsors many Israeli interest groups, including Israel Michigan Political Action Committee, Progressive Jewish Collective, and the American Movement for Israel. Other special groups connected with Hillel include the Jewish Feminist Group, Jewish Law Students Union, Jewish Organization for Business Students, Jewish Medical Student Association, and Ahava: The Jewish Gay, Bisexual, and Lesbian Collective.
Amazingly, on any given day at least two or three Hillel sponsored events take place in its building or somewhere else on campus, whether it be a performance by Kol HaKavod, a Jewish a capella group, or a meeting of the Hill Street Forum. Many students will be surprised to learn that Hillel contributes to many other campus-wide activities, as demonstrated in its role in bringing people like Oliver Stone and Adam Sandler to campus.
Currently, the U-M Hillel is busy preparing for several Jewish holidays, including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The group has a firm committment in seeing that Michigan's Jewish students are able to observe important Jewish holidays without academic conflict. Hillel Governing Board member Anthony Scaglione has recently played an integral part in implementing a long-overdue University policy permitting the observance of all religious holidays by students. Hillel hopes to build on its accomplishments in the future through expanding the availability of meaningful cultural programs, educational opportunities, and religious services for all University students.
Although Hillel has no formal membership, the organization encourages any member of the University community to attend or participate in Hillel programs and activities. The organization maintains an impressive mailing list of over 4,000 Jewish U-M students and professors. For further information about specific events sponsored by Hillel, or to simply learn more about what the organization has to offer students, interested students should call the Hillel office at 769-0500.
The Review would like to extend its great appreciation to Anthony Scaglione for his helpful contributions to this feature.