With Passover now in our rearview mirror, and we look ahead toward Shavuot, we reflect on where we come from and where we are going. This practice happens a lot at Hillel of San Diego. Similar to a start-up, we are ever evolving to meet the needs of our students right now.
Hillel is home. And at our cross-campus Passover Seder, I saw clearly why we are home to thousands of students across San Diego. I see it in the level of comfort students feel when they walk through our doors, as they bee-line straight to the fridge to grab a snack and La Croix. I feel it as trays of our family-style meals are passed from person to person every Shabbat and holiday – you should have seen the carrots and matzo balls in our soup this year, it felt like they came straight from bubbe’s kitchen. Our events are loud. Our spaces get messy. They’re lived in. Because Hillel is home.
And Hillel is also a holistic wrap-around service provider. You need mental health support from a professional who profoundly understands what it means to be Jewish? You come to Hillel, and we connect you. You experienced or witnessed antisemitism and anti-Zionism? You come to Hillel and we take on the burden. We get you the resources and support. We push on your behalf. You need an internship? A reference? You need to grow your network, or beef up your resume, or learn how to speak well in public? You can’t afford life and have unmet basic needs? You need connections? You need to go somewhere for a holiday? You need a meal? You need a hug? You need a space to just be YOU? You come to Hillel. This list could go on and on…But the answer is always the same: If you’re a Jewish college student and need anything, you come to Hillel.
The Hillel of San Diego brand is exceptional service. Excellent service is what we constantly strive for, because our young people deserve to know their value, deserve to be invested in, and deserve to be nurtured. Because, at the end of the day, they’re going to be the next leaders for our community. What we do shapes who they are, and it matters for our collective Jewish future. And it’s all thanks to you. This is what YOU fund when you give to Hillel of San Diego.
Last night, we hosted a massive Mimouna celebration to end Passover, thanks to the generosity of the Melvin Garb Foundation. Buses from all our campuses brought nearly 200 students to Coastal Roots Farm to dance the night away, make farm-fresh pizza, eat ice cream, and experience joyful community. This is just one of the ways we creatively engage and support San Diego students all year round.
At the end of the month, we have our final Jewish Networking Hub event of the year. On Thursday, April 30th, at the Melvin Garb Hillel Center adjacent to SDSU, we will welcome Dr. Irwin Jacobs as our keynote speaker and invite the community and students to network and connect within their professions. Once again, an innovative service created by Hillel to support our collective Jewish future. You can register and join us here – I recommend doing so soon, since space is limited and we only have a few spots left!
Hillel is home.
Hillel is wrap-around care.
Thank you for making it possible!
Shabbat Shalom,
Karen
