FACT: Hillel Alternative Breaks are service-based, 7-10 day trips where students participate in a variety of volunteer projects in areas of need. Adhering to the core Jewish value of
Tzedek, Hillel Alternative Breaks challenge students to examine the ways that they can personally serve the global community.
In 2008 - 2009 alone, over
2,300 students participated in Alternative Breaks along with our partners!
2008-2009 Participating Campuses
FACT: Hillel Alternative Breaks are happening all over the world, from helping to rebuild the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina to assisting the impoverished communities of South America.
Since 2000 Hillel and its partners have sent students on Alternative Breaks to some of the following areas:
Argentina El Salvador Israel Puerto Rico
Bahamas Georgia Kazakhstan Thailand
Baltics Guatemala Mexico Rwanda
Brazil Honduras Nicaragua United States
Cuba India Poland Uruguay
FACT: In 2009, 50 campuses sent students to the Gulf Coast on one of Hillel's Hurricane Katrina Alternative Breaks.
Campuses That Participated in Hillel's New Orleans Alternative Break in 2009If your campus is participating in an Alternative Break and isn't listed, please let us know by contacting
igassman@hillel.org.
FACT: Beginning in Summer 2008, we began to offer Organic Farm trips with the Jewish Farm School
Organic Farms on the East and West Coast
FACT: More students than ever are choosing Alternative Breaks.
| Alternative Break Participation, 2005-2006 |
| # of Participants |
Destination |
| 249 |
AJWS, JDC, JFSJ, and JNF |
| 70 |
Hillels of South America |
| 471 |
Hillel's New Orleans Alternative Break |
| 82 |
Alternative Break in Israel |
| 436 |
Campus Organized Alternative Breaks |
| Total Number of Participants: 1308 |
| Alternative Break Participation, 2006-2007 |
| # of Participants |
Destination |
| 258 |
AJWS, JDC, JFSJ, and JNF |
| 262 |
Hillels of South America |
| 540 |
Hillel's New Orleans Alternative Break |
| 160 |
Alternative Break in Israel |
| 451 |
Campus Organized Alternative Breaks |
| Total Number of Participants: 1671 |
| Alternative Break Participation, 2007-2008 |
| # of Participants |
Destination |
| 648 |
AJWS, JDC, JFSJ, and JNF |
| 166 |
Hillels of South America |
| 649 |
Hillel's New Orleans Alternative Break |
| 55 |
Student Led Alternative Breaks |
| 17 |
Organic Farm Alternative Break |
| 189 |
Alternative Break in Israel |
| 603 |
Campus Organized Alternative Breaks |
| Total Number of Participants: 2327 |
| Alternative Break Participation, 2008-2009 |
| # of Participants |
Partner Organization |
| 794 |
AJWS, JDC, JFSJ, and JNF |
| 273 |
Hillels of South America |
| 490 |
Hillel's New Orleans Alternative Break |
| 80 |
Campus Entrepreneurs Initiative ASB |
| 40 |
Student Led Alternative Breaks |
| 74 |
Organic Farm Alternative Break |
| 25 |
City Year and AEPi |
| 159 |
Alternative Break in Israel |
| 389 |
Campus Organized Alternative Breaks |
| Total Number of Participants: 2324 |
**Acronyms**
AJWS = American Jewish World Service
JDC = American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
JFSJ = Jewish Funds for Justice
JNF = Jewish National Fund
FACT: Hillel Alternative Break programs are done in partnership with other service oriented organizations in order to assist us in creating the best possible Alternative Break.
Alternative Break Opportunities and Partnerships
FACT: Getting involved in a Hillel Alternative Break is easy. Speak to your Hillel professional on campus to find out how to get involved with your campus' Alternative Break.
If your campus would like to run an Alternative Break, use the
Alternative Break Resource Guide to get started.
To return to the hompage for Alternative Breaks, click here