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What
We're Doing Hillel supports a variety of innovative events and activities,
with the goal of connecting students to their heritage in meaningful
ways. Hillel is committed to developing a vibrant Jewish community
that provides opportunities for creative, relevant, and diverse
forms of Jewish expression. Hillel is
a place where everyone is always welcome as it facilitates
a myriad of Jewish activities to engage a diverse spectrum of
Jewish campus life. Each year Hillel sponsors an exciting array
of activities including social, cultural, educational, religious,
athletic, and community service events that cater to the various
desires and needs of our Jewish students. Holidays
Social Action
Shabbat
Social Events
Educational Events
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Holidays
From Yom Kippur to Passover, Sukkot to Hanukkah, Purim to Tu
B'shvat, William and Mary's Balfour Hillel embraces each
Jewish holiday
as a special event with activities ranging from parties to
special religious services.
Of course, the
High Holidays are of great importance. We are always invited
to share the High Holidays with three local synagogues:
Temple Beth El (unaffiliated), Rodef Shalom (Conservative), and
Temple Sinai (Reform). Hillel also has a well-attended annual
Break-Fast--our
treat! Since there are students of all denominations active in
William and Mary's Hillel program, there are many active members
who also carpool to other local synagogues in the area to meet
any specific religious needs. Hillel hosts two warm Passover
Seders that always attract over 100 students and community members.
In addition, many local Jewish families and faculty open their
homes to students to celebrate various holidays.
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to top Social Action
For those who choose to get involved in campus volunteer efforts,
we help assist them in defining the true meaning of Tikun
Olam. We have recently received a generous grant that will enable us
to really help our communities! The Tzedek Committee has decided
to focus on addressing homelessness at the local, regional, and national
level. We recently hosted an extremely successful tab at Paul's Deli
to collect cans to distribute for the winter holidays. As a group, Hillel
has worked to collect and package food to send to soldiers in Iraq, and
has participated in campus philanthropic events
like “Relay for Life.” Many of our students also
volunteer at the local synagogue teaching Sunday school and
Hebrew classes. Hillel is also a proud co-sponsor of the
annual Ali Kaplan Blood drive each spring, helping a global
cause.
We also host prospective students and enjoy giving personal
tours of campus. Not only do we endeavor to help the causes
listed above, but Hillel actively promotes many other mitzvah
projects sponsored by groups including the Student Assembly,
Circle K, and the APO service fraternity such as the annual
campus wide Bone Marrow Drive.
Back
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The most popular of our weekly events, Shabbat dinner is a time
to relax from the weekly grind of classes, and enjoy a meal
with friends while engaging in stimulating discussions and
games. Every Friday evening, Jewish students welcome Shabbat
by meeting for student-led services and a delicious home-cooked
dinner. We often have student volunteer who presents a d'var
torah. Challah and wine/grape juice is provided.
After
dinner, some
students
choose to walk
together to the local synagogue for the Friday evening service,
while others just shmooze and relax! If you'd like to help
lead services, present a d'var torah, or help cook dinner,
please email Hillel!
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From Baskin Robbins's ice cream mixers to College Deli nights
to bowling, social mixers are a great way to kick back with
friends and take a break from studying! With no religious
focus, these socials are a fantastic way to develop new friendships,
shmooze with old friends or just enjoy some tasty treats
on Hillel…who wouldn't take us up on this kind of offer? Our new
Social/Public Relations Commitee
is always trying to think of new ideas for events! To get involved, just
drop him an email!
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to top Educational Events
William and Mary's Hillel strives to provide the community with
many educational events throughout the year. In the past we
have collaborated with the Black Student Organization, Muslim
Student Organization and the University Center Activities Board
(UCAB), as well as many other Multicultural Affairs organizations.
Together, we have brought the King David Peace Drummers, the
Ethiopian black-jewish comedian Yossi Vassa, and co-sponsored
a showing of the documentary ““From Swastika to
Jim Crow,” in order to educate the public and each other
on the similarities we share as minority communities. We also
sponsor a speaker series that is very popular among community
members. We invite guests such as holocaust survivors and Jewish
politicians.
Because
the William and Mary faculty is such an integral part
of our university
community,
each year we
invite our Jewish faculty
(who are always welcome to all of our events!) to a special community
dinner to develop quality relationships between Jewish students
and faculty. Hillel also sponsors several interfaith events collaborating
with groups such as the Wesley Foundation and the aforementioned
Muslim Student Organization (MSO). For example, one exciting
program has included observing a Muslim prayer session while
inviting MSO to attend our Shabbat dinner and Sabbath services.
Hillel also hosts weekly brown bag lunch discussions with guest
rabbis and professors to probe "hot" topics in Judaism
that are stimulating to collegiate Jews!
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