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Hillels move forward to new normal

BY DEBORAH MOON us to evaluate the true meaning
Hillel leaders in Oregon are ready of the work we do and have all of
to move forward to a new normal our decisions be values based. Our
– one that emphasizes personal con- values of care (chesed), responsi-
nections. bility (achrayut), elevate (kedosha)
“If we’re not learning from what and wonder (hitlamdut) inform our
the last year has taught us, we’re work and allow us to imbue our
missing good opportunities to better work with Jewish meaning.”
serve our communities and do our Sherman says those values are
work better, build our relationships considered in all decisions about
better,” says Oregon Hillel Founda- programming and engagement.
tion Executive Director Andy Gitel- “We, too, have shifted and
son. “We’ve had a lot of one-on-one will continue to shift from pro-
interactions with students – just gram-centered work to relational
reaching out, checking in for cof- Judaism, using personal and mean-
fee, checking on their mental health, ingful one-on-one connections with
seeing what they need from us, what our students to drive engagement,”
they’re missing and how they’re says Sherman.
navigating the experience.” Shabbats, holidays and other pro-
Oregon Hillel serves students at the grams reach a broad swath of stu-
University of Oregon and Oregon dents, and PDX Hillel plans to con-
State University. Both campuses have tinue those programs when students
seen increased engagement during are back on campus. But Sherman
the pandemic. During the 2019/2020 says some students don’t feel
academic year, when two of the three comfortable stepping into Jewish
terms were in person, 245 students spaces on campus, and PDX Hillel
(216 identified as Jewish) had six or works to ensure those students that
more connections with Oregon Hillel. they are not alone.
This year (with a few weeks to go in “After a year plus of social isola-
the 2020/2021 academic year), 305 Oregon Hillel senior & UO Sammy President Seth tion, it is now more important than
students (268 identified as Jewish) Murawsky volunteers to help deliver to-go Shabbat din- ever for Hillel to create a welcom-
have had six or more connections ner meals to his Duck community. This year, Friday night ing, vibrant and inclusive Jewish
with Oregon Hillel. Shabbat dinner orders increased from 40-60 each week community on campus,” says
“We’re seeing our regular students previously to 200 each week. “Twenty percent of those are Sherman. “Using meaningful one-
and far greater numbers by taking non-Jewish students who are roommates and partners of on-one connections has and will
an approach that’s not program fo- Jewish students,” says Oregon Hillel Executive Director continue to allow us to get to know
cused or events focused but people Andy Gitelson. “They are ordering these Shabbat meals students on a deeper level and in-
focused,” says Gitelson. “I’ve been for one Jewish kid and three non-Jewish roommates to cel- corporate their authentic selves and
impressed by our team of staff and ebrate Shabbat together, and have challah, and talk about interests into our work. We want to
the support of our board to be really how we experience anti-Semitism.” empower all students. … We can-
creative and focused on the individ- not wait to return to our campuses
ual, which is really what we’re always here to do in the first place. in the fall, using our values to drive our work and reimagine what
I think we sometimes get pulled into this loop of program develop- Jewish life can look like in Portland.”
ment and program creation. It’s nothing we didn’t know could be To engage students in Hillel and Jewish life, Sherman says staff
possible, but (it doesn’t happen) until you’re really put in a posi- must first get to know the student on a personal level – to learn
tion where you have to think about operating with different roles.” about their interests, major, hobbies, favorite TV shows and more.
PDX Hillel, which serves students on campuses near Portland, “Most of these conversations happen over coffee on campus,”
has also learned valuable lessons over the past year. Values-based says Sherman. She adds that using the information from those con-
engagement and one-on-one interactions have moved to the fore. versations, “We can often introduce them to other students who
“What once was normal is no longer normal,” says PDX Hil- share the same interests and broaden the breadth of our Jewish
lel Executive Director Hannah Sherman. “The pandemic forced community.”

Teens and parents invited to experience Virtual College Road Trip

High school students and their with university admissions and Teens are invited to #JumpOn- The Virtual College Road Trip
families can explore college Hillel professionals (who will TheBus where they can follow is offered to the community for
and Jewish life on campus on share insights on Jewish and college student “bus drivers” free by the Jewish Teen Educa-
a Virtual College Road Trip general campus life) engaging for insider guides sharing the tion and Engagement Funder
during a monthlong series. webinars and other resources. highlights of their campus and Collaborative, a network of na-
Each day until June 30, the For a comprehensive list of college towns – what they love, tional and local funders work-
Virtual College Road Trip will the 40-plus participating cam- what makes the place special ing together to develop, nurture
offer student-led college tours, puses across the country, visit and what Jewish life is like and scale new approaches to
virtual information sessions roadtriptocollege.org. there. teen engagement.
4 Jewish Review June 9, 2021