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New Hillel Opens in Sao Paulo, Brazil
May 20, 2003Comments (0) | Add | E-mail this to a friendHillel is maximizing the number of Jews doing Jewish with other Jews for the first time ever - in Portuguese.
More than 600 students and Hillel supporters celebrated the dedication of the new Hillel Sao Paulo with music, food and dancing.
 "Hillel Sao Paulo has added strength to the global Hillel movement," said Hillel's Interim President Avraham Infeld. "Together we will give Jewish college students the opportunity to celebrate and explore their Jewishness, to support the State of Israel and to perform acts of tikkun olam."
The Hillel in Sao Paulo is part of a growing number of Hillels in South America with centers in Montevideo, Uruguay, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. A Hillel in Chile was also recently given provisional status and there are already plans for an additional Brazilian Hillel in Rio de Janeiro.
Hillel Sao Paulo, like other Hillels in South America and the former Soviet Union, will serve as a Jewish community center for 6000 young Jews in the city. The center will offer activities for students of all backgrounds and interests.
Hillel Sao Paulo Director Sergio Napchan and Jewish Agency for Israel representative Danny Wolach both spoke at the dedication ceremony, while David Leipziger, Hillel director at Wesleyan University, gave the d'var Torah. Students spent half the night at the center either relaxing in the lounge, dancing to live music, or using the cybercafe as part of the launch of the Hillel Sao Paulo Web site.
Hillel Executive Vice President Jay Rubin commented, "Hillel in Sao Paulo will bring Jewish joy to thousands of Jewish students today and for generations to come."
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