Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life will culminate its 85th anniversary year on June 14, 2009 with simultaneous birthday parties held around the world. This “virtual gala” will enable Hillel alumni, professionals, students and supporters to celebrate a milestone event in the organization’s history in their own communities, without the need to travel to a distant city. All of the parties will join together in a single global teleconference featuring Hillel leadership and special guests.
Find out how to host a party
Donate to Hillel in honor of its 85th anniversary.
“We want to strengthen the future by connecting to our past,” explains Hillel 85th Birthday Chair Diane Wohl. “Our anniversary year has focused on how Hillel has engaged students over the years and contributed to success of the global Jewish community. We hope that the success of these parties will contribute to a stronger Hillel and enhance our ability to serve Jewish students.”
Hillel will also use the event as an occasion to present its 85th Birthday Founders Award to Dr Lynne B Harrison, a member of Hillel’s International Board of Governors and Board of Directors from the Metrowest area of New Jersey. Dr Harrison is being honored for advancing the vision of Hillel’s pioneers by supporting opportunities to engage and empower Jewish students.
“This virtual gala not only embraces current approaches in social networks and community organizing, it reflects what Hillel is: an international organization that is rooted in the one-on-one relationships that form local communities,” explains Wayne L. Firestone, president of Hillel.
Hillel’s International Board of Governors and Board of Directors are taking the lead in creating birthday parties in their home communities. Birthday Party Chairs Edith B. Everett, Stephen M. Greenberg, and Karen and Neil M. Moss are reaching out to Hillel board members to sponsor local celebrations -- but anyone can host an event. Hillel is inviting more than 10,000 stakeholders and community partners to sponsor parties in their homes.
85th Birthday Founders Award Recipient Dr Lynne B Harrison is a respected member of the business, scientific and Jewish communities of the Metrowest area of New Jersey and a valued Hillel lay leader. She is being honored for her commitment to Hillel locally, nationally and internationally. The president of Harrison Research Laboratories, Inc., Dr Harrison is a member of Hillel’s International Board of Governors and the Board of Directors of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. She is the recipient of Hillel’s 2003 Exemplar of Excellence Award. The Co-Chair of Hillel’s Latin America Board of Governors, she established internships at Buenos Aires Hillel and sponsors Shabbat dinners across Buenos Aires. Dr Harrison took a leadership role in the construction of Hillel’s Steinhardt Hall at the University of Pennsylvania where she dedicated the library. In addition to her Hillel activities, Dr Harrison is a member of the MetroWest UJC Executive Board. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Temple Sholom of West Essex. She established the Dr Lynne B Harrison Science Center as a New Jersey Y Specialty Camp, and is beginning a JCC Camp Science Center in the Boston area.
Hillel’s anniversary year began in August 2008 with the opening of a retrospective exhibition in the organization’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. At Hillel’s December 2008 International Professional Staff Conference, awards were given to Hillel professionals who made historic contributions to the organization. In addition, the organization has published many important original Hillel documents on its Web site throughout the year, creating a unique and valuable online archive that is available to the public for the first time.
Find out how to host a party
Donate to Hillel in honor of its 85th anniversary
Learn more about Hillel's History