Welcome to Hillel: Find Your Unique Path
“Welcome to Hillel” is a series of letters from current students welcoming first-year students to Hillel communities. Ryley Steuer, a third-year student at Central Michigan University (CMU), studying exercise science kinesiology and psychology, shares highlights of her experience at CMU Hillel and offers different ways first-year students can connect with their Hillel communities. Read Ryley’s welcome:
The week before moving into college at Central Michigan University felt terrifying to me. I was moving away from everything I knew, and leaving the vibrant Jewish community I grew up in. The college I chose had a small Jewish community, which was an unfamiliar experience for me. Thankfully, even before I set foot on campus, I knew to look for Hillel.
Everything I’d heard affirmed my belief that Hillel would help me step out of the community I was raised in and grow into a new one. And as I grew my connection to Hillel over time, I found that it was even better than what I had expected. Hillel is a community that becomes family and a space that becomes a home away from home. At Hillel, I found delicious dinners, fun activities where I made new friends, and immersive travel opportunities. And the best part is that there’s something at Hillel for everyone. Wondering where to start? Here are some of my favorite Hillel classics that I love on my campus, and that I know you’ll want to check out on yours:
Shabbat Dinners
Most Fridays, Hillels host Shabbat dinner. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy week and connect with friends! It’s often free for students, and if your campus isn’t hosting one, you can often join a nearby Hillel’s Shabbat celebration instead! One of the places we went to for Shabbat was a hibachi restaurant in town. It was so fun to relax with my friends and laugh as none of us could catch the broccoli in our mouths. It truly is such a good experience being able to have a fun meal with all my friends at Hillel!
Social Activities
College can feel stressful — with a heavy classload, new friends, and everything in between. Hillels plan regular events to help students relax and recharge. From arcades and escape rooms to puppy parties, ice skating, and bowling — there’s always something fun going on. Bring a friend or go and meet new friends there! One of my favorite memories is of an event at the arcade, where a bunch of us lined up to compete in pinball. I don’t remember who won because we all were bad, but I remember the endless laughter, and going home with my cheeks sore from smiling the whole time.
Travel
One of the most exciting parts of being involved in Hillel is the chance to travel. I’ve had amazing opportunities to visit cities like Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. to deepen my Jewish learning. One of the conferences I attended in New York was the Hillel International Content Creators Forum. Here I learned everything from planning content to the final stages of exporting it. I had the honor of learning from influencer Max Cohen (@murrayhillboy), listening to Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, and even attending programming with content creator Melinda Strauss! It was also so special being able to collaborate with peers on content ideas. Even beyond the event itself, it’s so meaningful to know I can still reach out to both the speakers and my peers for guidance or to bounce an idea off of them.
Leadership
Lastly, Hillels deeply value student leadership both on a campus level and national level. I have found so many leadership and growth opportunities through campus fellowships and national conferences. There is so much room to grow and lead in your own unique way.
Your Hillel journey will be unique to you, your interests, and your campus. I can say wholeheartedly that Hillel has made my college experience so meaningful and helped me grow so much with its supportive staff and welcoming environment.