|
|
Hillel's 2008 Year in Review
The year 2008, and its global economic downturn, cannot end soon enough for many. Nevertheless, in the face of worldwide pessimism, Hillel continued to provide a source of hope to the Jewish community through a series of newsworthy milestones.
Hillel marked the organization’s 85th anniversary, the second Hillel Summit on the University and the Jewish Community, the opening of five brand new Hillel buildings and groundbreaking ceremonies for two more as well as dozens of Israel at 60 celebrations on campuses across the globe.
(PHOTO: Year in Review 2008 ) |
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Year in Review
• Editor's Column
NEWSMAKERS:
• Stephanie St. James
• Dimitriy Salita
FEATURES:
• Getting Tested
• Chosen People's Choices
• Kabbalah on Campus
• Learn Something Jewish
• College 101
• Corner Office Blog
|
|
|
 |
Dear Reader,
What are the stories and images that defined 2008 for the extended Hillel family?
This edition of Hillel Campus Report focuses on the topics, pictures and people that made the last 12 months memorable for our readers.
The stories are as varied and surprising as Hillel itself: The largest single grant in Hillel’s history; the popularity of Kabbalah; a landmark Summit on the university and the Jewish community; an observant Jewish boxer from Ukraine; the political involvement of Jewish students; an African-America actress whose hero is a grandmother who survived the Holocaust; and much more.
We hope that you have enjoyed Hillel Campus Report this year. Thank you for your comments, complaints and recommendations. Your involvement keeps HCR a lively and dynamic publication.
Danielle Freni, Editor
Hillel Campus Report
campusreport@hillel.org
|
|
|
|
 Most Clicked Female: Stephanie St. James
In between speaking out about her debilitating medical condition and answering questions about her race, this granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor is touring the country as Squeak in the Broadway production of "Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple." Stephanie St. James' profile in Hillel Campus Report's July edition received the most clicks of any female newsmaker in 2008.
“It's not obvious to people that I am a Jew,” she says. “It's more obvious that I am a person of color…people make anti-Semitic remarks in front of me, not knowing there is a Jew in the room.”
Most Clicked Male: Dimitriy Salita
At 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds, this mild-mannered observant Jew from Brooklyn hardly seems like a threat. But Ukrainian-born boxer Dmitriy Salita remains undefeated in the ring and is ranked #2 in the world in his weightclass. His profile, which appeared in the May edition of Hillel Campus Report, received the most clicks of any male newsmaker in 2008.
"People are attracted to what I represent in the ring," says Salita. "People are not used to seeing a Jewish person being something other than a lawyer or a doctor."
|
#1 Most Clicked Story: Getting Tested, Why College Jews Need to Know Now
More college students were encouraged to examine their Jewishness from a scientific perspective in the February 2008 edition of Hillel Campus Report. Though marriage and children may still be several years in the future, an awareness of Jewish genetic diseases is creeping up on college campuses and readers were intrigued to know more about how Hillel is handling the growing curiosity.
#2 Most Clicked Story: The Chosen People's Choices
In just a few weeks, President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as America's first African-American Commander in Chief. But earlier this year, it was anyone's race and Jewish college students were eager to lend support for their candidates on the 2008 campaign trail. Readers of Hillel Campus Report were just as eager to see who was supporting whom.
#3 Most Clicked Story: Kabbalah on Campus
When the media's seeming trivialization of the ancient Jewish mysticism Kabbalah reached a boiling point over the summer, Hillel rabbis weighed in on how Jewish students were being affected. The topic made for one of the most popular Hillel Campus Report stories of 2008.
Most Clicked Learn Something Jewish: The Sanctity of Sex
An accompanying piece to June's Sex Versus Spirit on Campus story, this Learn Something Jewish was equally popular among HCR readers who wanted to know what the Torah says about "hooking up."
Most Clicked College 101: Why It's Good to Get Carded
In January, readers discovered that a student I.D. won't get you very far at a local pub but it can save money for students (and their parents) at a lot of other establishments.
Corner Office Blog: Chanukah's Light Pierces the Darkness
Writing from Israel, Hillel President Wayne L. Firestone shares his thoughts on the season of Chanukah and the brighter days ahead.
|
|
www.hillel.org |
Donate | Subscribe to this
Newsletter | Forward This Email to a Friend >>
About |
On Campus | Jewish Resources
| Social Justice |
Careers | Israel |
Conferences
|
|