The Geneseo Hillel (pictured above) with their poster at this past week’s club expo. The Geneseo Hillel is a Jewish organization on campus that promotes an inclusive environment to people of all religions and practices (Courtesy of Geneseo Hillel).
Hillel International operates under the mission to enrich the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Geneseo’s chapter of Hillel builds on that mission by hoping to provide both Jewish and non-Jewish students alike a space for cultural, religious and friendship endeavors.
Hillel at Geneseo offers Jewish students the opportunity to practice and grow within their faith, often serving as a home away from home for their members. The club hosts services throughout the academic year as well as other, non-religious events such as brunch and apple picking.
Each Friday night, Hillel holds Shabbat at the Interfaith Center on Franklin Street. Shabbat represents the Jewish day of rest and consists of a 30-minute service in a mix of English and Hebrew. After the service, there’s a dinner filled with homemade food that doubles as a chance for members to hang out with one another.
For the bigger holidays like Passover, Hillel has hosted up to 60 students in the Union Ballroom to be together and celebrate.
When Hillel’s Religious Cultural Coordinator and sophomore Lara Goodman started at Geneseo, she knew right away that she’d become a member of Hillel. “I’ve been in Jewish youth groups since I was ten so it was the obvious choice to join Hillel; it’s somewhere to be welcomed into. So far, it’s been a great experience,” Goodman said.
In Goodman’s position, she ensures that Hillel is operating in line with what other Hillel chapters are doing as well as communicating with the school to get Hillel more involved with the Geneseo community.
As part of their outreach initiatives, Hillel has partnered with other campus organizations to increase the understanding between different cultural groups. They have hosted Shabbat services with groups including Pride, Black Student Union and Latin Student Association.
Hillel is always looking to welcome new members both into the club and to Friday night services. Goodman stressed that Jewish students who feel they may not be religious enough to join are always accepted as the services are reform and a majority of the members are either reform or conservative. Non-Jewish students are encouraged to participate as well, as a lot of Hillel’s programs are in English.
Hillel holds Shabbat services every Friday night at 5:30 p.m. at the Interfaith Center. This Friday Sept. 6, Hillel is hosting a tie-dye event after services, open to everyone.