No, but really, what ‘squeeze’?
If you support Hillel in any way - by sitting on our boards, by attendance at our events, by investing in our mission, or just by sharing our content on social media then most likely you were forwarded an article published this week by The Forward entitled, “As Chabad expands on college campuses, Hillel feels the squeeze.”
So let’s try to forget that the title of the article lends itself out the gate to playing into the Chabad vs. Hillel narrative that I, myself, am exhausted by. The comments section alone on The Forward’s Facebook page under the posting of this article is the definition of exhausting and useless. I appreciate that the author of the article attempted to kind of, soft of, disparage the competition narrative with a quote by Chabad CEO Yossy Gordon stating that Chabad “isn't competing with other Jewish organizations”. However, by taking quotes and experiences from ONE campus experience and painting a broad stroke over the entire Hillel movement declaring a conclusion, what I read is an article meant to incite frustration and dissidence and, ultimately, put two organizations with a love of Judaism at odds with one another. Where is the kavod in that?
I think what this article mostly forgot is the fact that Hillel has NEVER once attempted to be a one-size-fits-all organization. I think of my beloved teacher, David Levin-Kruss, at The Pardes Institute in Jerusalem, who would literally jump up and down shouting (lovingly) “Judaism says nothing” whenever a student began an argument with, “Well, doesn’t Judaism say . . .”. I had the same jumping up-and-down passionate response after reading this article. In reading this article, which I have to own I was defensive in reading out-the-gate, the underlying conclusion seems to be a declaration that Hillel isn’t serving ALL the Jewish students’ needs and didn’t we say we would serve ALL the Jewish students’ needs? No. No we did not. Hillel has never once had a mission statement resembling a popular fast food company, “Hillel: Have it your way”. No one organization can ever and should ever attempt to be one-size-fits-all, which is why Hillel has never made that declaration any part of its mission.
To be clear: Hillel and Chabad each serve unique, dynamic roles on college campuses- sometimes in partnership, usually in understanding of each other’s strengths and delivery of mission-based programming. Since I do not work for Chabad, I cannot speak to its mission. I can, however, speak to the mission of the Hillel at Miami and Hillel International, a mission which was very much left out of the article (because, while Duke Hillel staff did not respond to requests for comment, the actual fact is that Duke Hillel staff members are employees of Duke University and therefore are not allowed to respond to inquiries from the press).
Hillel at Miami: WHO WE ARE:
Hillel enables Jewish students to be Jewish in the way that is right for them
All students are welcome, no matter their previous level of Jewish knowledge or how they choose to express their Judaism and practice (or not practice) in the way that works for them.
Whether a student has had (or has not had) a b’nai mitzvah, considers themselves to be Reform, Orthodox, or Just Jewish, they will always be welcomed at Hillel.
Hillel is student-driven: by students and for students
We are student leadership driven and are a living laboratory for students’ ideas and passions to turn into community building.
HILLEL is the leading advocate of antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus
will stand with you, advocate for you, and provide educational initiatives to fight antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Israel sentiments and behaviors on campus.
Hillel strives to be a pluralistic, welcoming, inclusive Jewish space
We truly embrace different expressions of Judaism and spirituality, oftentimes within the same walls at the same time. Kabbalat shabbat with guitar, traditional mechitza minyan, meditation, “partnership” minyan with women leading an Orthodox style service, schmoozing downstairs in the lobby instead of going to services – if there is a desire and a need, we provide and support.
Hillel supports students as they pursue deep and nuanced Jewish and Israel Learning
With signature Hillel programs like Jewish Learning Fellowship and a wide variety of deep and nuanced Israel education offerings, Hillel’s highly-skilled and trained educators give students the space and support to engage with Jewish texts, history, and current affairs on their terms.
Hillel’s Israel education work exposes students to the mosaic of experiences in the Jewish and Israeli landscapes, empowering them to cultivate rich and authentic relationships to Israel and Judaism.
Hillel continues to be a leader in providing immersive Israel experiences for college-aged students, including Birthright Israel trips, alternative spring breaks, internship opportunities and more.
My heart ached for the Director of Duke Hillel and her staff and student leaders. The work they do on that campus is nothing short of Jewish magic and that story was totally written out of the Jewish Duke narrative in service of clickbait. The LAST THING our US Jewish community needs right now is in-fighting, which takes us away from the very important work of combating antisemitism and anti-Jewish sentiment by building enriching and engaging spaces where Judaism and allyship can flourish. Here’s hoping we can get back to the mission at hand.
Shabbat Shalom
Whitney Fisch, MSW
Executive Director
