Hillel International
Each day in June, it offers student-led college tours, virtual information sessions with university admission offices and with Hillel professionals, who can share insights on Jewish and general campus life.
In the postponement of an event featuring a controversial speaker, Hillel president at Butler University Lauren Carrier said the school newspaper “has a duty to make sure that information that is published is factually accurate.”
“The display is a striking visual reminder for the university community while underscoring the need to remain vigilant in the face of present-day hatred and discrimination,” said the administration.
According to Hillel, which urged students to back the referendum, the measure passed with more than 1,700 votes.
A number of anti-Semitic incidents have taken place on campus in the past few years, including the discovery of swastikas.
“This is a step forward, a good step forward, in solving the problem of dealing with anti-Semitism on campus,” said Erez Cohen, executive director of Hillel there.
The coronavirus has forced Hillel to rethink its programming and services to adapt to the new reality of remote learning and provide for the well-being, both physically and mentally, of the students it serves. It hopes to carry these lessons forward when life returns to normal.
“We are not the type of people to be scared. We’re not the type of people that would be silenced. We’re not the type of people to back down from what we believe in,” says student Jeremy Zelner.
“These acts are deeply upsetting and leave a scar on members of our community whose beliefs or identities are targeted,” said school administrators in an email to students.
Hillel International and the Academic Engagement Network will partner to improve the climate for Jewish, Zionist and all students.
The Campus Climate Initiative will work with administrators to provide measurement tools, best practices, education and training designed to empower university leadership to understand ongoing threats.
Boston-based philanthropic partnership to transition to Hillel International
“We have an unprecedented opportunity to engage and inspire thousands of Jewish students who have yet to be connected to the richness and beauty of Jewish communal life,” said longtime CJP staff member Cheryl Aronson.
