UMass-Amherst Hillel Wins International Excellence Award

UMass-Amherst Hillel Wins International Excellence Award

By Matt Hoffman
Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:38 PM EST

 
 
AMHERST n Hillel: Foundation for Jewish Campus Life at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst has been recognized by the international Hillel organization for excellence in “growing and diversifying its development funding sources.”

As part of the first-ever Vision and Values Awards given out to Hillel centers across the nation in December, each Hillel had a chance to showcase their success in implementing one of the stages of the International Hillel’s recently updated strategic plan.

The award was presented in at the 2007 Professional Staff Conference for Hillel administrators. In a statement, Wayne Firestone, the President of International Hillel said, "We at Hillel's International Center are delighted to recognize UMass Amherst Hillel for its creative and outstanding fundraising efforts."

Rabbi Saul Perlmutter, Executive Director of UMass Hillel, thinks that one particular event held at the Hillel last year was a boost in the decision to grant his organization the award.

“I’m pretty sure that a major factor in our winning the award was the Ride to Provide,” said the rabbi.

The Ride to Provide consisted of a bike-ride during the holiday of Sukkot this past October that not only benefitted the bodies of the riders and the soul of the community, but also the financial well-being of the Hillel. While the Hillel was expecting 50 riders to participate in the first-ever event of its kind at the UMass center for Jewish life, 70 riders showed up. Each rider had received sponsorships and donations which went towards Hillel’s fundraising efforts.

Riders were able to choose from a 10-mile route and a 23-mile route. One of the unique facets of this ride could be seen at the rest stops that were provided along the way. The rest stops were located at a sukkah of a local family. A sukkah is a temporary shelter built by Jews to represent the Jewish people’s ancestors’ temporary dwelling in the desert before reaching the land of Israel. Sukkot is also often connected with the theme of nature and of recognizing the fragility of our homes.

Betsy Bertuzzi, chair of Ride to Provide, explained that, “What made the Ride to Provide so special was not merely how much we received from our fundraising, but what we were able to give to the community.  The Ride to Provide brought together riders and their families to share in a beautiful autumn day, basking in the Hampshire County countryside while exercising their bodies and nourishing their souls with our celebration of Sukkot and community spirit.  From young families who made lulav shakes, to grey haired faculty who led the way, to students who woke up to enjoy a Sunday morning outing, the UMASS Hillel community was enriched by this new event.”

The ride helped to fund environmentally-friendly projects at Hillel, including the purchase of energy-saving light bulbs. In the future, the Hillel is looking to be able to purchase a dishwasher and silverware, instead of using one-time use plates and cutlery at Shabbat dinners.

“We want to educate some of our students about the Jewish value of watching over and conserving the Earth in the process,” noted the Rabbi.

Funding from the ride will also allow UMass Hillel to send students to Louisiana over spring break in order to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. In addition, for the first time, the Hillel will be sending students to Uruguay.

Rabbi Perlmutter exclaimed that, “We are honored and pleased to continue winning these awards. We appreciate the compliments.”

He summed up his feelings by saying, “And I can go to Jewish fundraising events in a T-shirt and shorts!”

Another Ride to Provide is planned for Sunday, October 19, 2008. Those wishing to help plan the event are encouraged to contact UMass Hillel at (413) 549-1710.

Other awards that were presented to Hillel chapters around the world included: “Enabling students to have meaningful Jewish experiences;” “Fostering a great place to work for professionals;” and “Being regarded as an indispensable partner by its university/college community.” Each Hillel could win only one of the awards.

This was the first time that these awards were given by International Hillel. In the past, the International Hillel would bestow the William Haber award to one university per year. UMass Hillel won the William Haber award six times n the only Hillel in the world to recognize such a feat.

Hillel Centers for Jewish Campus Life exist across the United States, Canada, and Israel, and are one of the main areas of Jewish activity on college campuses. Hillel centers are named for the Jewish sage by the same name, who became famous for saying, “Treat others as you would want to be treated. That is the entire Torah. The rest is just commentary.”