Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life (Hillel International) is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. With over 500 regional centers, Hillel works to provide opportunites for Jewish college students in all facets of their lives. Hillel's mission is to "maximize the number of Jews doing Jewish with other Jews" [1].
The organization was founded in 1923. The name "Hillel" comes from a sage who moved from Babylonia to Palestine in the first century. His message was that, in all Jewish endeavors, let us "love and pursue peace, and by loving our fellow creatures, may we bring them to Torah." The organization started, in part, as an alternative to fraternities and sororities many of which excluded Jews from membership.
Hillel International provides not only resources to students while they are on campus as undergraduates, but also when they are off campus and after they have graduated. They provide job offers, free trips to Israel (see birthright israel), and student leadership programs. Also, as recent graduates, students can join the Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corp (JCSC) and share the Hillel experience, as well as learn skills necessary in the work place.
Hillel is also dedicated to social activism. Some of these initiatives include: Alternative spring breaks dedicated to service, a Yom Kippur Fast Action Campaign, March for Women's Lives, and Oxfam Fair Trade Coffee Campaign, among many others.
See also
External links
- Official Hillel International Site - includes links to individual campuses
- Jewish Campus Service Corps
- Birthright Israel