Michigan Hillel – Your Jewish Community
When one thinks about the University of Michigan, two defining characteristics that come to mind are community and leadership. So too are the defining characteristics of our Hillel and what we provide for Jewish students on campus.
Michigan Hillel is unparalleled in terms of its size, diversity, and quality of programming. Our Hillel supports over 40 independent student groups for our 6,500 Jewish students on campus – spanning the full breadth of Jewish life. Each group provides opportunities for students to become involved as leaders, driving the programming and decision-making forward for their group and community. Students build leadership, engagement, and community-organizing skills through our Hillel that benefits them in their roles on campus, in finding employment, and in life long after they graduate.
Each group also provides the opportunity for students to access a community that meets their individual needs. Through these student-led groups, students can find opportunities to explore their identities and interests in a safe, supportive, fun, and nurturing environment. Our programming covers social, political, religious, cultural, and educational areas – all intended to help students access Jewish life and community on their own terms. We offer concerts, lectures, films, classes, community service, yoga, religious services, discussion groups, dialogue, immersive experiences at home and in Israel, free Shabbat lunches and dinners, and boast the only kosher restaurant – the Hillel Café – in our county. We also take more students to Israel on Birthright Israel than any other Hillel in the country.
You can come to Hillel to do just about anything – like hang out, eat delicious meals, study, hold a group meeting, and enjoy our backyard. But Hillel is not just confined to our building. You can experience Hillel in coffee shops, in residence halls, on the diag, in your own home, in Israel, or in Detroit. Drop in or contact us to learn more about how to get connected. Or come to us with a new idea we can help you grow for your community. Hillel is what you make it.
Mission
Our mission is to be an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic Jewish community that fosters the growth of each and every Jewish student.
History
Hillel at the University of Michigan was the fourth Hillel Foundation in North America, established in 1926. Our Hillel has been housed at two locations at the University before moving into what was a house at 1429 Hill Street in 1942. The house was replaced by a large building in 1951 and that building, in turn, was replaced by the present Mandell L. Berman Center in 1988.
Michigan Hillel’s history matches the remarkable changes in the University and the times of the nation during its more than eight decades on campus. From its earliest days Hillel played a significant role in campus life, serving not only the religious needs of the campus Jewish community but also providing a center for social, political, and artistic expression. In 1937, The Hillel Players produced the first play of an undergraduate by the name of Arthur Miller. During the Vietnam War years, Hillel was the locus of much of the campus debate and political action. In the 1980s Hillel began to play a major role in the intellectual and cultural life of the University with the launching of programs like Consider Magazine, Residence Hall Repertory Theater Company, and the Golden Apple Award. In 2012, the TAMID Israel Investment Group incubated through Michigan Hillel and has now launched as a national organization with an international presence.
Today, the University of Michigan is widely regarded as one of the best schools in the country for Jewish students and our Hillel has played a major role in this national reputation. With our emphasis on student leadership and student-driven initiatives, Michigan Hillel has grown to house and support 40+ student groups. Michigan Hillel often ranks among the top Hillels in the country for several impactful areas, such as: taking the most students to Israel on Birthright Israel trips, having the most Camp Ramah alumni, and attending JFNA’s General Assembly conferences and AIPAC Policy Conferences with the largest delegation of students.
In 2012, the Fiske Guide to American Colleges cited the quality of Jewish life as a significant factor in the life of the campus at only two schools. One of them was the University of Michigan. In 2016, our Hillel earned AIPAC’s “Duke Rudman Leadership Award”, the organization’s highest honor to recognize campuses leading in pro-Israel political leadership and activism. And in 2020, our Michigan Hillel received Hillel International’s “Oustanding Campus” Award.
A Note on Advocacy
In 5787, Michigan Hillel is sharpening its focus on Jewish life, learning, and community, creating meaningful opportunities for students to build connections, explore their Jewish identity, ask questions, and engage thoughtfully with the issues they are encountering in the classroom, on campus, and online.
As part of this renewed focus, we decided before the start of the academic year that Michigan Hillel will no longer formally affiliate with national organizations or student groups whose primary work involves Israel-related advocacy, lobbying, or political organizing. This policy is intended to keep Michigan Hillel focused on Jewish life, learning, and community while ensuring that Israel-related programming can center a range of student voices and perspectives.
Michigan Hillel will continue to support Israel cultural programs, Israel education, and thoughtful conversations about Israel, as well as programming on Jewish identity, religious studies, and other topics of interest. Programming can be created by Michigan Hillel staff or by students through student clubs. If there is something students would like to see happen at Michigan Hillel, we encourage them to connect with a staff member and/or a student club to explore how they can bring that program or idea to life. If students are interested in Israel advocacy, they will continue to have many opportunities to engage in this work, and we will encourage and help them connect directly with organizations doing this work outside of Hillel.
Our goal is to create spaces for education, thoughtful conversation, knowledge, and context, where students can learn from one another, work through challenging questions, and feel supported as they navigate an increasingly complex campus environment.
We are proud that Michigan is a campus with many doors into Jewish life, and we want Michigan Hillel to be a warm, welcoming, and inclusive home for all Jewish Wolverines. Our focus is on creating a vibrant Jewish community and building connections that bring us together.