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Hillel Buildings Open Across the Country
October 30, 2002Comments (0) | Add | E-mail this to a friendIn recent weeks, Hillel has opened new buildings at Vanderbilt University, Michigan State University and the University of California in Los Angeles, in an unprecedented sign of Jewish renaissance.
On October 13, Vanderbilt University Hillel dedicated a 10,000 square foot facility in the center of the campus. The Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life includes a spacious multi-purpose room, student lounge, offices and meeting rooms, and Grins, Nashville's only kosher and vegetarian restaurant. More than 300 people attended the dedication ceremony, including Nashville's Mayor Bill Purcell, Israeli Consul Aviv Ezra, and Vanderbilt's Chancellor Gordon Gee. Nashville Klezmer musicians entertained guests prior to the ceremony with "old country music."
Michigan State University also opened its new Hillel building, the Lester J. Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center, on October 13. The center holds a student office, a game room, a theater room, a library and a sanctuary. "The building offers a connection to people, the arts, culture, social action, politics and Judaism," said Executive Director Cindy Hughey. "Students are free to work, study, eat, pray or just hangout at the new center."
The architecture of the UCLA Hillel building, the Yitzhak Rabin Jewish Center, entices onlookers inside as the outside is decorated with a Jerusalem stone facade. The inside continues the spiritual theme of Jerusalem and has arched hallways and stone-like floors which symbolize Jerusalem streets. "The symbolism is so important because the building itself educates and inspires," said UCLA Hillel Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller. The center includes a game room, coffee bar, multipurpose auditorium, computer facilities, kosher kitchen and study halls. The dedication ceremony for the building will be November 17.
"As Jewish renaissance pulsates across the country, campus Hillels everywhere are working to open new buildings," said Hillel's International President Richard Joel. "By opening these buildings, Hillels have opened the doors even further to the opportunities available to their students and to their students' exploration of Jewish life."
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