Philanthropy helps students at local colleges

Students participate in havdalah at Brown RISD Hillel. /Brown RISD HillelOne of the biggest concerns of a stereotypical Jewish mother is the strength and vibrancy of the Jewish community at the college where her child has been accepted. What is a vibrant Jewish community? What does that look like for a college student? Is it one with Shabbat dinners every week? Does it need to have educational programs that bring Judaism onto campus? Or does it mean just having a place for college students to go to meet other Jewish college students in a safe, unprejudiced environment? The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s Annual Campaign helps support two of the most burgeoning Jewish populations – Brown RISD Hillel and the University of Rhode Island Hillel.

On the East Side of Providence is a beautiful Hillel building that serves both Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). In one semester, the Brown RISD Hillel can see over 700 students at one or more of their many events per year. Brown RISD Hillel’s goal is to engage every Jewish student in Jewish life on campus. It aims to impact students by creating connection points into Jewish life and opportunities for students to develop and enhance their Jewish identity.

Brown RISD Hillel’s programming covers a wide range of topics, including experiencing Jewish life and learning, inclusion and advocacy programming, and student engagement. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Alternative Break trips to countries around the world. Examples of some of its most successful programming include the Hillel Initiative on Racial Awareness and Justice (HIRAJ), the Chai of Life Retreat for first- and second-year students, Challah for Hunger, Shabbat and holiday programming, as well as the Engagement Internship opportunity. Brown RISD Hillel also succeeds in cultivating groups of students with similar interests in various activities such as Contemplative Practice, which consists of connecting to Judaism through movement and music, as well as hosting a monthly Women’s Rosh Hodesh group.

One student remarked, “My concentration in religious studies and my involvement in Hillel are what’s leading me to think about graduate study in religion or pursuing another means of engaging intellectually with Judaism. I don’t think that’s something I thought you could do before I got here, engage with religion in an intellectual way, because I had always just associated Judaism with culture and holidays. Being involved here at Brown and here at Hillel has really broadened my horizons when it comes to Judaism.”

Another student expressed his gratitude to Hillel for allowing him to be able to experience Judaism the way he wanted to. “I feel a deeper connection to Judaism now than I ever have before, and that is in large part because Hillel has given me the opportunity to define Judaism on my own terms. …Looking forward, I am excited by the potential to continue to explore my Jewish identity and to challenge traditional assumptions of what is or is not proper Jewish practice.”

Another student reflected that her experience at Hillel has helped her become prouder of her identity. “I think my life is definitely changed by my Jewish experience at Brown because I didn’t seek living in a huge Jewish community but by living in one it has made me think more deeply about my Judaism and become more proud. … I went through the cycle of being less proud of my interfaith household, thinking other people knew more and I didn’t feel accepted, but then I came to feel that I’m making the community better in some way and providing a different perspective. I think the transitions I had through college make me feel ready to keep transitioning in my life and keep Judaism a part of it and continue to learn and ask questions and be a part of exciting and different communities.”

The partnership between Brown RISD Hillel and the Jewish Alliance’s Annual Campaign is helpful in allowing students like these and hundreds of others to engage in Jewish life in ways that are meaningful to them. Along with other outside sources of funding, Hillel receives money from the Annual Campaign that helps Brown and RISD students find their niche within the Jewish community.

The University of Rhode Island has about 1,000 Jewish students who benefit from the Jewish programming of URI’s thriving Hillel. Housed in the Norman M. Fain Hillel Center, URI Hillel connects with close to 500 students weekly, and has seen about 250 different students at various programs in the last semester alone. URI Hillel’s ultimate goal is to ensure high-quality,  accessible programs and services that enhance and promote active participation within the Jewish community, and for every Jewish student to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life. URI Hillel ensures Jewish educational opportunities and experiences and provides numerous access points for all students of all backgrounds to form deep, personal connections to Jewish life, learning, and Israel through Jewish exploration, leadership and a sense of belonging. It also aims to ease the transition from high school to college with successful programming for first-year students.

URI Hillel’s annual array of offerings include programs in categories such as Social and First Year Student Programming, Community Service, Shabbat and Holiday Programming, Israel, Jewish Culture and Education, Leadership Development, Campus-wide Events, and Campus Community Relations. Whenever possible, Hillel seeks to work with university departments, centers and student organizations to co-sponsor events that bring Jewish culture to the campus at large. This year, for example, Hillel hosted former Israeli Knesset member, Rachel Adato, who spoke about the ground-breaking legislation she introduced regarding women’s health in Israel. Her talk was co-sponsored by the URI Women’s Center, Housing and Residential Life, Health Services and the Counseling Center.

One student expressed the difference URI Hillel has made in her life. “I would like to thank you so much for everything you have done for me at Hillel this past semester. Before my semester started, I was uncomfortable with my faith and felt lost. I didn’t have the confidence that I would find a place where I belonged or felt comfortable spiritually (or just in general!). I can’t emphasize enough that coming to Hillel was the best decision I have made not only this semester but in college thus far. With the help of everyone else at Hillel, I have found a level of comfort and happiness that I had given up on having. I learned so much about Judaism and myself, and I really feel like I found my place spiritually! Not only that, but I have also made so many new friends that I really feel at home socially as well, with the lovely support and kindness that you have all showed me.”

The impact of the programming has permeated the university. Tom Dougan, the recently retired vice president of Student Affairs, said, “Hillel is an integral part of the University of Rhode Island and the programs offered by Hillel complement those offered by the university and the Division of Student Affairs. Hillel staff is outstanding and works closely with students to meet the many needs of both Jewish and non-Jewish students.”

URI Hillel is the only program at the University of Rhode Island that provides college students with celebratory and significant Jewish experiences that forge enduring connections to Jewish life. Through URI Hillel, Jewish students have been able to intern or even find employment with partner agencies such as Camp JORI, various synagogues and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. The Jewish Alliance’s Annual Campaign provides essential funding toward its yearly programming and engagement activities, providing hundreds of students with a Jewish lifeline while they live away from home.

Jewish mothers need not worry about their children – Rhode Island has great options for college-age students to be involved with a strong, flourishing Jewish community during the most formative years of their adult life.

HILLARY SCHULMAN is a development associate at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.