Hillel has been an integral part of my life for the past 30 years, beginning with my time as an undergraduate at UCLA. I was honored to serve on the Hillel of San Diego Board for 12 years, including as Board Chair, during which I contributed to the development of our two beautiful facilities at SDSU and UCSD.
The presence of Hillel at our four major college campuses in San Diego is invaluable. It provides a “Jewish Home Away from Home” for students and helps many discover and strengthen their Jewish identity and connection to Israel. Since October 2023, Hillel has become even more vital as the leader in tackling antisemitism on campus and serving as a place of Jewish joy for both Jewish and non-Jewish students in contrast to some of the vile hate experienced at our universities. Without Hillel of San Diego’s physical presence, advocacy efforts, programs—and even the safety—many students’ experience in college would look very different.
This year, I’m proud to continue deeply supporting Hillel. Investing in Hillel of San Diego is an easy one for me, even though I am no longer on the Board of Directors. I am joining with other past and current board presidents—Mitch Siegler, Wayne Harris, Todd Kirschen, Joel Smith, Emily Jennewein, Hollie Bierman, Michael Breslauer, Bob Lapidus, Herb Solomon, Jane Scher, Steve Solomon, and Judy Gumbiner—in challenging our community to dig deeper. Together, we’ve increased our own annual contributions and are aiming to raise $175,000 by midnight on December 31st.
Thank you for standing with Hillel.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah!
David C. Michan
