Hillel of San Diego is committed to fulfilling our mission of enriching the lives of every Jewish student so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world – even during a pandemic. All that has changed is how we connect with students and help them connect with each other safely.
As the new school year begins, Hillel is focused on providing a rich array of programs through digital platforms that promote social connections and learning experiences. Our professional team also connects with students individually to help them cope with the stress and uncertainty of being physically disconnected from the communities that they love. Both the one-on-one relationship-building and also the on-line social gatherings are vital sources of comfort and spiritual nourishment and the personal growth that all students need at this time in their lives.
The unfortunate reality of living with COVID-19 is that we need to keep our facilities closed until it’s safe to re-open them. We didn’t arrive at this decision lightly. A committee composed of members of the board of directors, Hillel staff and students met over the summer to agree on key values to drive our decision-making and establish policies for a safe return to in-person Hillel activities.
What values are driving our decision-making?
These core values guide Hillel of San Diego’s decision-making about how to operate during the pandemic and whether to return to in-person activities.
- פיקוח נפש Pikuach Nefesh – Saving life
One who saves a single life is considered as if they saved the entire world (B.T. Sanhedrin 37a). Hillel of San Diego recognizes that our actions impact the health of those around us, and keeps in mind that Jewish law allows one to violate almost any commandment to save a life.
- קהילה Kehillah – Community, and אל תפרש מן הציבור Al tifros min hatzibur – Don’t separate yourself from the community (Avot 2:3)
COVID-19 prevents us from gathering as before, so we need to re-imagine how we go about creating community – virtually, and if safely possible, in physical space.
- דינא דמלכותא דינא Dina d’malchuta dina – The law of the local authority is the law
Local statutes are binding, and, in certain cases, preferable to Jewish law. Hillel of San Diego is bound to the rules put in place by the government and various campus administrations.
- לפנים משורת הדין Lifnim mishurat hadin – Going beyond the strict letter of the law
Some circumstances require that we exceed the strict limitation of the law in order to provide protection and guidance. For the sake of safety, Hillel of San Diego may choose to exceed university policies because those policies alone may not sufficiently meet Hillel’s needs and values.
- ועשית מעקה לגגך V’asita ma’akeh l’gagecha – Make a parapet around your roof (Dt. 22:8)
We must ensure reasonable physical safeguards in our homes and communal spaces. We need to examine how Hillel of San Diego’s spaces are utilized, and develop protocols for areas of operation such as cleaning, food preparation and delivery, and physical distancing.
- שמר נפשך מאד Sh’mor nafsh’cha me’od – Watch yourself scrupulously (Dt. 4:9)
We need to take care of ourselves, safeguard ourselves from harm, and engage in self-care. We are models of proper behavior for our participants and other Hillel of San Diego stakeholders.
- סבלנות Savlanut – Patience
We feel anxiety, grief, and tension when we struggle to accept what we simply cannot control. By utilizing the gifts of Jewish life and the blessings of technology we can connect with our communities and find the spiritual sustenance and grounding we need to be patient.
- הכללה Hachlalah – Inclusion – For My House shall be called A house of prayer for all peoples. (Isaiah 56:7)
Be inclusive and sensitive to the diverse needs and interests of our constituents (ie., don’t exclude people from participating because they aren’t comfortable showing up in person; give people the option to participate remotely even if we do gather in person, and only if participants consent).
- חוסן נפשי Chosen Nafshi – Resilience – “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed.” (Gen. 32:29)
Be nimble and adaptable in the face of uncertainty and stressful situations.
What policies are currently in place for in-person activities?
- All Hillel professionals should continue to work from home until further notice. Professionals are permitted to work at the Garb Center (SDSU) or Potiker House (UCSD) as long as no one else is in the building and only if there is a compelling reason for them to come in rather than work from home.
- Up to two professionals are permitted to meet at the Garb Center with the permission of the executive director and only as long as certain protocols are in place: both individuals must wear masks properly, employ frequent hand washing, stay six feet apart, and check symptoms before entering the building.
- A log shall be maintained of all staff who enter a Hillel facility recording the date, time and whether they conducted a symptom test.
- Hillel professionals may meet with individual students (one on one) but only outdoors and if both people are wearing masks and separated by six feet.
- Hillel professionals may not convene a group of two or more people nor permit a group of students to meet on their own at a Hillel facility.
- Professionals should avoid serving food when meeting with students, but if necessary, it should be pre-packaged food.
Please contact a member of the Hillel of San Diego professional team with any questions. We will update this list of policies as the situation evolves.
What will trigger resuming in-person activities?
- San Diego County must issue a new health order permitting such gatherings.
- Hillel will also take into consideration specific guidance on student activity protocols from each university.
