{"id":571,"date":"2015-07-20T09:57:59","date_gmt":"2015-07-20T14:57:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=571"},"modified":"2018-09-16T18:51:33","modified_gmt":"2018-09-16T23:51:33","slug":"maryville-university-hillel-opens-on-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/maryville-university-hillel-opens-on-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Hillel Opens on Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ has announced a new affiliation with Hillel International, the largest Jewish student organization in the world. The creation of a Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Hillel marks the first time more than one Hillel will be serving students in the St. Louis community.<\/p>\n

The announcement follows concerted efforts by Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ in recent years to create a more welcoming environment for Jewish students, through expanded programming and a growing presence in the Jewish community at large. A Jewish Student Union (JSU) was formed in 2010, and the Kranzberg Family Foundation has provided funding over the past five years to hire and retain a Jewish programming facilitator to engage young adults. Since 2012, this position has been held by Erin Schreiber, a former assistant director of St. Louis Hillel at Washington University. Schreiber will be the new Hillel manager.<\/p>\n

Numerous faculty and staff members worked toward helping the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ JSU become the newest Hillel, a distinction the University hopes will provide added assurance to families that students will find a Jewish \u201chome\u201d on campus. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s recent ranking as a national university makes it even more imperative that Jewish students from out-of-state have a place to celebrate traditions away from their families.<\/p>\n

Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ sophomore Arin Simon, an education student from Denver, Colo., has actively participated in the Jewish Student Union and looks forward to having a Hillel on campus.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t wait to have a place at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ that I can go to just be Jewish, and be with others who are as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The University\u2019s initial inquiry to the Hillel International organization was warmly received. \u201cThey felt that we were already ahead of many other universities in creating a model of Jewish student life that others could follow,\u201d Schreiber said.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents of all religious backgrounds thrive at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ and diversity is a key goal.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe are very excited to be expanding Hillel\u2019s work on campus to Ä¢¹½´«Ã½,\u201d said Hal Ossman, Hillel International\u2019s chief campus officer. \u201cThe university leadership showed great commitment to building a strong Jewish community at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ and we believe the new Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Hillel will continue a great tradition of Jewish student life in St. Louis.\u201d<\/p>\n

To become an affiliate, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ underwent a rigorous review process\u2014including submission of a formal application, and an interview that delved into the University\u2019s cultural climate and rationale for becoming a Hillel. The affiliation agreement was approved through a vote by the Hillel International Board of Directors.<\/p>\n

Tom Eschen, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s vice president for institutional advancement, feels the new Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Hillel supports the goal of diversity and inclusion, which is a central theme of the University\u2019s strategic plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Hillel is just the latest in a series of programs and initiatives designed to serve Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s growing Jewish community of students, faculty, staff and alumni. We want Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ to be a real first choice option for Jewish students of all ages, based on our academic programs and also our culture,\u201d Eschen said. \u201cStudents of all religious backgrounds thrive at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ and diversity is a key goal.\u00a0It\u2019s what the real world looks like and it reflects the long-standing values of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½.\u00a0\u201d<\/p>\n

Schreiber foresees a smooth transition for St. Louis\u2019s newest Hillel, which will open when the fall semester begins in August. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to become the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Hillel and share our celebrations, warmth and\u00a0sense of community with an expanded network from across the country and the world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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