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The Dedication
November 1, 2002Comments (0) | Add | E-mail this to a friendThe afternoon dedication ceremony was an occasion for reflection and rededication to Hillel's principles.
 Charles Schusterman, the late Hillel Board of Governors Co-Chair, took great pride in helping Hillel's renaissance, recalled his widow, Board of Governors Co-Chair Lynn Schusterman and daughter Stacy Schusterman. The Schusterman Family Foundation provided one of two leading gifts for the Hillel headquarters which is named the Charles and Lynn Schusterman International Center. Lynn Schusterman added, "The real story is the people serving in this building and served by it. Investing in them is a sound investment in the future of the Jewish people."
Philanthropist Robert Belfer expressed pride that his late parents, Arthur and Rochelle Belfer, came to the United States as immigrants and succeeded in the land of opportunity. He said that they would be pleased that a building bears their name in the nation's capital.
In her remarks, Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave thanks for the opportunities that were presented to her, the daughter of a woman who was a bookkeeper in the New York City garment district. She said that her Jewish heritage continues to influence her work. "It is fitting that Hillel should be housed in this fine new facility where students can come together, take pride and draw strength from their Jewish heritage," Ginsburg said.
 Hillel Board of Directors Co-Chair Aviva Kieffer, a senior at Rutgers University, explained that the new building represents all Jewish college students, regardless of their background, and is an "unambiguous center of our proud and thriving people."
The audience was moved to its feet when Hillel Uruguay student Nurit Kalenberg sang the song "Eli, Eli" with Hillel Ukraine student Liza Gudina. The two young people had only met that morning and did not speak a common language.
Hillel Board of Governors Co-Chair Michael Steinhardt, one of the leading supporters of Hillel in Latin America, called on Hillel to use this occasion to rededicate itself to the work of engaging Jewish students. He expressed the hope that students served by the new headquarters "will be privileged to live lives of value and meaning."
Standing in the neighborhood that he rehabilitated almost single-handedly, Hillel International Board of Governors Member Abe Pollin said "to have a major, major Jewish building in sight of my office across the street does my heart good."
"The new Hillel building is not only your new home but is a flagship of Jewish life and a proud Jewish presence in the nation's capital," added Hillel supporter and Washington Jewish Federation President Michael Gelman.
Hillel President and International Director Richard M. Joel said that the building dedication is a reflection of the strength of Hillel around the world: "We are no longer a wandering tribe whose fragile home reflects the fragile faith of a people in crisis. This building is as strong and enduring as the commitment of a generation of students, lay leaders and professionals the world over who have devoted their lives and their resources to Jewish Renaissance."
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