California State University, Sacramento, announced on Tuesday a partnership agreement with its local Hillel to more regularly staff the public university’s Jewish Life and Resource Center.
The university, commonly known as Sacramento State, opened the JLRC in May 2024 as the “first space on campus dedicated to supporting Jewish students,” the school stated. The center, which is a collaboration between the university and Hillel to provide a community space for Jewish students, faculty and staff, is located at Modoc Hall, the school’s hub for continuing education and professional development.
“We could not be more proud than to partner with Hillel, an amazing organization that is creating positive educational experiences for members of our Jewish community,” said university president Luke Wood.
As the center has not been regularly staffed since its opening, the recent agreement between Sacramento State and the Hillel at Davis and Sacramento will ensure that the JLRC is open three days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.
“Partnerships like this are rare at public universities,” said Michael Nguyen, vice president of inclusive excellence. “Our work with Hillel is a powerful model that sets the standard for building strong, respectful collaborations with every community we serve.”
Matthew Kurtz, chair of Sacramento State’s Jewish Faculty and Staff Association, stated that the opening of the JLRC created a momentum for Jewish life on campus, including the launch of the Jewish Alumni Network. “This is such a cool time to be at Sac State as a Jewish person, as a Jewish parent and as a Jewish student,” he said.
