Hillel at the University of Rhode Island plays a vital role in Jewish life on the college campus. “Hillel enriches the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world,” according to its mission statement. URI Hillel offers Jewish students at URI a way to connect with each other and celebrate their heritage.
As one of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s local partners and a recipient of Community Campaign support, URI Hillel offers programs including Shabbat and holiday celebrations, as well as meals, and educational and cultural programming about Israel and Judaism. In addition, there are educational programs available to raise awareness about antisemitism, anti-hate and the Holocaust. These programs are designed to build community. Student internships, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development training, promote this further, together with the chance for interfaith/intercultural dialogue.
This collaborative partnership is strengthened by the Israel Fellow program. URI Hillel Executive Director Amy Olson says, “Before URI Hillel had a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow (whom we share with Bryant University Hillel), we were thrilled that the Alliance’s Community Shaliach would visit URI once or twice each month, engaging students in Israel education and programming.
“Now with Yael, the Israel Fellow at Brown University Hillel, Gaya, the Community Shaliach, and Tal, the Israel Fellow at URI and Bryant Hillels, we are fortunate to have a team of young Israelis in our community at this critical time. They weave connections between organizations, provide a broad range of Israel programming to a variety of target audiences, and provide a sense of community and support for each other.”
The Israel Fellows help link our community to Israel as well as playing a significant role in connecting different corners of the Rhode Island Jewish community.
Looking back on my college experience, I attended a school without a formal Hillel. Despite this, I was part of a group that started a Hillel as a club on campus at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. That group gave me the space to connect with other Jewish students and form a family away from home. Together we celebrated holidays and remained connected to our Judaism in welcoming and accessible ways. I am grateful for that experience, and hope that today’s Hillel students at URI feel the same.
Every gift to the Alliance Community Campaign honors these priorities and reaches partners such as the URI Hillel. You can be a part of the campaign allocations process through committee membership or contributing to the Community Campaign. For more information, visit https://www.jewishallianceri.org/support-us/featured/donate-now. or contact Brad Swartz, Fundraising and Partnership Manager at bswartz@jewishallianceri.org.