#Hillel Reflects on the Year

It's crazy that this is our last week of classes, next week is finals, then the year is done! The entire #Hillel team has been working so hard on trying to bring you all relevant and fun social media content, as well as learning our own skills. We have all reflected on our experience and wanted to share that with you.

Rachel (me)
I could not have asked for a better semester with Hillel. Although I wasn't super familiar with the organization prior to applying, I was instantly welcomed. I bonded with my team and made many connections within Hillel, since I wanted social media to reflect all our awesome organizations and the work students do. Starting this blog has really helped me bring awareness to personal stories and exploring a side of blogging I don't normally do. If I could do it all over again I totally would.

MJ
When I first thought of creating a social media team for UVM Hillel, I was unsure what to expect. Previously, our social media was a task that was more about posting events than delivering platform tailored messages targeted to our audience. Brett, Jaime, Mallory, and Rachel brought passion and creativity to our posts, which gave them depth, and dramatically increased the engagement from our audience. They have set the groundwork for a social media cohort internship at Hillel for years to come.

Brett
This semester I had the opportunity to be a part of the #Hillel team. Social media is creating ways to reach out to individuals like never before. As a part of this team I posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and started UVM Hillel's snapchat. I will continue doing social media along with marketing and PR this summer at a JCC. I have learned a lot about social media this semester and hope I can bring this valuable skills with me as I enter the professional world.

Jaime
Being on #Hillel has allowed me to become a part of the Jewish community at UVM and help other students find their role in the Jewish community as well.

Mallory
Coming from a generation that basically grew up on the internet, I've been involved with social media for as long as I can remember! Being a part of the #hillel team helped me combine that passion with my Judaism, both of which have become equally important facets of my life. This semester I got to study abroad in London, but I still got to Skype in for meetings and contribute to our plethora of platforms (say that five times fast!). The fact that I could still contribute to our growing social media despite being an ocean away (and five hours ahead) proves just how far we've come digitally just since I was a kid!

If you're low on points or just want some free food (because who doesn't?!?!), come check us out Wednesday 12-4 outside the Davis Center. Show us that you like us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to get an extra falafel ball. And on Friday, come to our Bye Bye BBQ at the Hillel Center to wrap up the year! Services are at 6, followed by dinner at 7. It's the last Shabbat of the year so bring all of your friends!

Ask Big Questions, The Book Thief, and Hillel Outdoors

Last Thursday, Jessica Solodkin, a junior and founder of the Ask Big Questions club, held a special session focusing on Holocaust Remembrance Week. She has reflected on her experience with the club and Hillel overall.

"My experience on Birthright—and more specifically my experience at the Western Wall—opened the door to what would become my Jewish journey. What I felt at the Kotel made me believe in and see that which I had previously missed: a sense of belonging and connection to Israel and the Jewish people. Of course, that clear sense of connection did not come to me instantly; rather, it was the result of my intense reflections and experiences that emerged during the subsequent years.
Upon my return from Birthright in January 2013, I wanted to further explore what I felt in the Holy Land; as a result, I became involved with different clubs pertaining to Jewish life. I wanted to explore my Jewish identity and to understand what, exactly, being Jewish meant to me. Upon my return to the States, I joined the Hillel board and found opportunities that shaped the lens with which I view my Jewish identity. The success of these talks inspired me to get involved in Ask Big Questions: a new Hillel initiative that allows students to better “understand others and understand themselves.” Ask Big Questions impacts people in different ways—it lets them see the world through new and different paradigms, lets them share things they never shared before, and lets them learn. Most importantly, Ask Big Questions does not provide “Big Answers” (as Sharon Silverman always says), but rather provokes deep thought that encourages students to come back for more meaningful conversation. For Holocaust Remembrance week, I led an Ask Big Questions conversation titled: “What Do We Choose to Ignore?” The group had an intimate and meaningful conversation, bringing up personal and relatable stories. Due to Holocaust Remembrance Day, this was not an easy conversation to have; however, it was a way of dedicating a moment to the countless victims murdered during the Holocaust. Ultimately, the event provided the space for effective, peaceful, and worthwhile dialogue. For the past three years, I’ve had quite the journey with UVM Hillel—going from having the third floor of the Allen House and ten people at Shabbat to having our own place and over eighty people at Shabbat has been truly incredible. To me, Hillel has been a safety net and a place to which I have always been able to turn. Hillel has given me a support system, amazing friends, and an atmosphere that has allowed me to explore, to learn, and to grow."

Also last week, Brett Gershkowitz led a screening of the film The Book Thief and reflected on that experience.

"Last week as a part of UVM Hillel’s Holocaust Remembrance week I showed the film the Book Thief. This movie, based off of the novel, follows a young foster girl who cannot read. Her foster parents hide a Jewish boy from the Nazi with whom she develops a strong friendship with. This movie is powerful and is unlike any other holocaust era film I had seen before. After the movie ended the students who came to the event and I discussed the film. We shared our thoughts on the film and spoke about how the film differed from other movies based on that subject".

Interested in getting involved outdoors now that the weather is becoming nicer? Amy Dorfman from the Hillel Outdoors club tells you why you should be involved!

"Hillel Outdoors is a program that aims to bring Hillel students into the backcountry of Vermont, and views the wilderness as a spiritual place to be experienced with intention. We understand that there are many types of Jews, and that also means there are just as many different ways to pray. Traditional avenues of spirituality are not always comfortable for everyone, so Hillel Outdoors strives to redefine what it means to be spiritual by using nature as a spiritual medium. In the three semesters Hillel Outdoors has been around, we have sent out a wide variety of trips including; backpacking, ice climbing, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, yoga, and guided nature walks. If you are interested in going on a trip, join the Facebook Group and keep your eyes peeled, we’re always posting!"

Holocaust Rememberance Week

On Sunday, students and staff has an amazing opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum in Montreal. Here's a reflection from Meaghan Winter, a student who went on the trip.

On Sunday April 12th, 12 UVM students went to the Holocaust Museum in Montreal. It was very interesting for us to see the Holocaust from a Canadian perspective. We heard a survivor testimony for nearly two hours as he graciously told us about his good fortune and how lucky he was to not have to bear as much brutality in Europe. Luckily, our survivor escaped to Scotland before being sent to a concentration camp, but he did not escape antisemitism and some brutality. Because of fear of the Jews, he was taken out of his studies at university to be placed in several prisoner of war camps... but he was not a threat. Nor were any of his other Jewish counterparts, but they were treated as such. It was very interesting to hear the struggles of someone who seemingly escaped, but still bore hardships. This man is 94 years old and is probably more active than me... he has a rowing machine in his basement and works out daily in addition to walking whenever he can. The story less told was eye opening, and I cannot imagine the troubles our people had 40 years ago. That is why it is so important to go to these museums and remind ourselves of the injustice, so we may always remember and keep their memory a blessing.

We have many other events happening this week, like a screening of the film The Book Thief and a discussion on Thursday. For more information, check out the event page here.

Our Field of Flags went up yesterday in remembrance of all the victims who died during the Holocaust.

Challah For Hunger, Passover Seder, & A New Hillel Student Board

Betsy Besser, Co-Founder of Challah for Hunger

     In the fall of 2013, I was asked to be a part of a fellowship program through UVM Hillel. Through this fellowship, I along with graduate Tali Burger, founded the Challah for Hunger chapter at University of Vermont. After nearly two years, so much has changed with Challah for Hunger. However, one thing has stayed consistent. And that has been the constant support we receive from Hillel. This idea would not have been possible without the Hillel professionals advising us as well as members of Hillel participating in our weekly bakes and events.

     This semester, we have developed our chapter tremendously. Last year, we baked bi-weekly and sold our homemade challah outside of the library or inside the Davis Center. This semester, we decided to focus on baking every week to allow more opportunity to bake throughout the semester. Along with baking every week, we supply our challah to Hillel for Shabbat as well as FeelGood to make grilled cheeses.

     We have been so fortunate to work to with an organization like FeelGood because we can learn a lot from their success as well as work towards raising donations for three organizations: The Hunger Project, Hunger Free Vermont, and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. During Earth Week this month, we will be participating in the Farmers Market as well as FeelGood’s Earth Day dinner.

     Not only has our chapter developed on campus, but also we have made a lot of relations off campus. We have been working with Hunger Free Vermont, which has opened our eyes to how we can fight hunger in our local community. Monica Taylor of Hunger Free Vermont has been to one of our baking nights and has been a great support this semester. She has put us in contact with so many community leaders as well as helping us with ingredient donations. We also have reached out to Temple Sinai, where we will be selling challah on April 16th and 30th before Hebrew School. Starting next semester, we will be tabling at the Essex Farmers Market to reach out to more of our Burlington community. The past two years has been unbelievable and I cannot thank Hillel enough for supporting my dream of bringing Challah for Hunger to the University of Vermont. We have accomplished a lot over the past two years and we are only hoping to grow more by baking a difference.

First Night of Passover

In lieu of a Friday Night Shabbat, we hosted a giant seder in the Davis Center with over 150 people attending. The meal was catered by Vermont Kosher and it was a great opportunity to celebrate with a lot of different people. Check out more info on it here.

New Hillel Student Board

Congratualtions to our new president, Michael Swain! Hillel has so many different clubs and groups that I didn't even know existed until this semester (like Peer Network Interns) and with all the growing we have done the past couple of years, it's time for a new student board set-up. All clubs and departments are divided into three specific categories (arts and culture, jewish life and learning, student outreach), so things can run more smoothly. There are lots of opportunities to be involved, so contact Sharon@uvmhillel.org for more info.

Birthright Alumnae Stories, Laugh In Peace, & Exciting Upcoming Events

An Interview with Marissa Lehrman, Birthright Alum

Like any other Birthright alum, I thought my trip was fantastic. So fantastic that one of my goals for this academic year was to make a Birthright reunion event so that everyone from all different trips could come together to reminisce about our experiences.

I went on Birthright last summer, with Sharon and Rafi and about 30 other UVMers. Also with us were students from other schools who had friends on our trip or just wanted to come along with us. It was a very eclectic group of people with diverse personalities and many stories to tell. Together, on bus 354 (Tre’ Fi’ Fo’), we visited beautiful cities like Tzfat and Jerusalem while going on some breathtakingly beautiful adventures down mountains, up mountains, along waterfalls, and down rivers. 

Returning back to school this year as a Peer Network Engagement Intern for Hillel, I knew that part of my job would be to organize a Community Building Event of some sorts, I immediately new that it would be a lot of fun to get my trip back together to eat some falafel and talk about our favorites parts of the trip, and what has impacted us the most. It was also clear to me that there were five other trips that might want to get together to talk too.

In the end, participants from all of the prior trips (that still had participants at and around UVM) were invited and four trips were represented at the reunion at Thursday evening. It was a blast talking about the best moments from each trip.  I think we all realized how much each trip had in common and how different they were at the same time.

I hope for many other reunions in the future!

Laugh In Peace

Last Wednesday, we were fortunate to have comedians Bob Alper (a rabbi) and Mo Amer (a Muslim) come and perform. They were so so funny--I almost never laugh out loud but I did many times during their routines. Their message is very powerful, proving that different cultures can come together and join in happiness over laughter. Check out their site here. 

Sign Up For Upcoming Events!

• It's crazy that we're already at the time of year for Passover. Hillel is hosting a special seder for the first night with delicious food catered by Vermont Kosher--check out event details here. 
• We also have a very exciting opportunity to visit the Holocaust Memorial Center in Montreal and explore the city. If you're interested, sign up here. 

Meet Hillel's President, Making Sushi, & Giving Back to the Community

An interview with Miles Schoenberg, who has been involved with Hillel for all 4 years at UVM and is this year's student board president.

Why did you get involved in Hillel? I got involved with Hillel because I wanted to be part of a larger Jewish community here at UVM. I also wanted a way to put my own mark on the way people view Jewish life on campus. How have you seen Hillel grow? Hillel has grown tremendously over my time here. We have not only been able to reach out to more students on campus but we are now a recognizable name throughout the entire university. What experiences from Hillel will stay with you? There have been a multitude of experiences that have really made an impact on my college career but I would have to say my time on the student board has been really special. It has been an opportunity for me to grow as a leader, a way for me to give back to the community, and a chance to form strong bonds with my fellow board members. Why should someone new get involved with Hillel? You should get involved with Hillel to become part of a very special community here at UVM and to be able to learn more about the Jewish culture and what it has to offer. What's your most memorable experience? My most memorable experience was my freshman year when I was in charge of coordinating Holocaust Remembrance Week. It was my first time taking on such a project and it was very important to me. We were able to put on a series of events throughout the week to remember those who perished. But we also had the opportunity to hear from a survivor who recently passed away and that is something that I will never forget.

Sushi Making and Upcoming Events

Students came to the Hillel House last Thursday for a chance to make homemade sushi, led by Raina and MJ. We have a lot more exciting events coming up, like a Passover Seder, trip to Montreal, Backpacking Trip, and more. Make sure you check our Facebook page for more info on these events.

Winner of the Week!

We've begun an exciting new initiative where every Monday, we post a picture and question. Anyone can comment and share the post for a chance to win a prize related to the question. Last Monday, we asked "If you could have Shabbat catered by anywhere in Burlington, where would it be?". Our winner was Sam Lee with her answer of Duino Duende. Make sure you check out this week's question for another chance to win!

Giving Back to the Community

Becca Friedlander organized the amazing event for Good Deeds Day. "Gift of Life was very successful this week. We collected 100 kits of DNA and sent it to be put in a registry and potentially save lives. We also were recognized as one of the hundreds of hillels participating in the 2015 Good Deeds Day. I'd like to thank everyone who stopped by or helped out."
The Monthly Mitzvah project also cooked dinner at the Ronald McDonald House.

Apres Ski, A Personal Birthright Story, & Shabbat Cooking!

Welcome back from Spring Break! Whether it was just staying home doing nothing (*cough* me) or an exciting trip to Berlin with Hillel, we are back in the homestretch of the semester. There are still a lot of fun things happening in our community. For starters, each week a personal story will be featured on our blog. This week is brought to you by Brett Gershkowitz, a member of the #Hilllel team who works with me to post fun stuff on our social media. He's going on an LGBT Taglight-Birthright Israel trip this summer, so I asked him what Taglight-Birthright Israel means to him and what he's looking forward to.

"I am really looking forward to going on birthright this summer. I am really excited to see Israel’s history come to life. I have attended Jewish day school and Jewish overnight camp where we not only learned about the Jewish religion, but also the land of Israel. Birthright not only offers traditional trips that go with college campuses, but they also have numerous niche trips. I chose to go on the LGBTQ Original Rainbow trip. I am really looking forward to seeing Israel through the perspective as a member of not only the Jewish community but also the LGBTQ community.  I leave for Israel June 1 and return June 12; I am so excited that I will be in Israel during the pride parade in Tel Aviv! Birthright is such a great opportunity and I am so grateful that I am able to go on it!"

Apres Ski Event at Stowe

Our Engagement Associate MJ worked super hard to bring together an awesome event at Stowe. There were discounted rentals and lift tickets, and the highlight was an array of delicious treats and a performance by Binger. 

Cooking for Shabbat

Shabbat dinners have been incredibly successful--so many members of the community are coming that we actually run out of food! The awesome MJ hosted a cooking class in the kosher kitchen the night before, where students cooked a shakshuka that was served at the meal.

Make sure you check out our Facebook every Monday morning to answer the question of the week to win an awesome prize!

Jewish Film Festival, A Bake Sale, & Meet Some of Our Team!

It's crazy that there's only one day left until spring break! It's been a quiet past couple of weeks at Hillel, but we have so many exciting things coming up after break. Myself and the other social media team members have been working on initiatives to help grow our presence in the community and we can't wait to implement them! Speaking of the team, we're now posting bios about ourselves every week and here's Jaime's in case ya missed it.

Name: Jaime Lee Simmons

Major: Business Administration concentrating in Marketing and Entrepreneurship with a minor in Computer Science

Home: A small peninsula known as Hull or "Nantasket Beach" just south of Boston, MA

Why She loves Hillel: "I got involved in Hillel because I fell in love with the Jewish community at UVM after going on birthright this summer (apply today @ israeloutdoors.com, you won't regret it). One place you can always find me is Shabbat dinner every Friday at 7PM. Great food and even better friends!"

Hillel Job Position: Social Media Project Manager and Graphic Design Intern

Fun Fact: Yesterday was my 21st birthday!!

Film Festival

Last Thursday we showed Mel Brooke's History of the World Part I, followed by a discussion. There are two more awesome films coming up and of course free food.

Food Updates

There was a bakesale in the Davis Center featuring delicious homemade treats from students and we did a great job fundraising. Shabbat was a comfort food theme, featuring mac and cheese. I attended a slightly bigger "MicroShabbat" hosted at a student's house with homemade food for 14 people. It was a great way to bring together new people in a smaller setting.

Jewish Author Spotlight

The last movie at the film festival is This is Where I Leave You, which is based around a Jewish family coming home to sit shiva for their father. It's written by one of my favorite authors Jonathan Tropper and you can check out a complete review of the book on my own blog (shameless self promotion) here. The characters are so relatable and you have just enough time to finish the book before you view it so you can see them come to life! His other books are equally as engaging if you're looking for something to read over break.

That's all for this week! Hillel has two trips going on over spring break--one to Berlin and one in Vermont for an Alternative Spring Break, so look forward to seeing lots of pics from that!

Welcome to Hillel!

If you're reading this blog, then the name "Hillel"must be at least somewhat familiar. We are a nonprofit organization on the UVM campus that encompasses over 10 different organizations and connects with over 1,000 Jewish students and their friends at UVM. This blog is going to be designed as a weekly update to tell you highlights of events and fun things Hillel has done the past week! We also want to interact with you, so please comment and tell us what you loved and some suggestions for the future.

Meet Our Social Media Team

Brett, Jaime, Mallory (not pictured but in London), and Rachel (myself) are your #UVMHillel team. We've been revamping social media this semester, and there are a lot more exciting things to come! Our main goals are to help Hillel engage with the UVM and Burlington communities and encourage people to get involved.

Yoga Classes

Need a de-stresser during the week? Every Tuesday at the Hillel Center, there's a free yoga class from 4-5 PM. We have 6 mats if you don't have one of your own to bring.

Challah for Hunger

A profile on the club was featured on Her Campus UVM. They bake every Wednesday night to provide the delicious challah we eat at Shabbat every Friday. For more questions, contact: vermont@challahforhunger.org.

Microshabbats

Instead of hosting a big Shabbat for everyone, about 10 people hosted Shabbats for over 120 people with food from either City Market, Domino's, or Price Chopper.