Program areas at Syracuse Hillel
Birthright: Syracuse Hillel was able to send 40 students to israel on an incredible birthright trip experience. Students and staff spent 10 days in israel, travelling all over the country exploring different places, nature reserves, and cities. Visiting both new and old in jerusalem, tel aviv, and safed (tzfat), the group experienced firsthand the meaningful connection between the jewish people and the land while also enjoying all the exciting things israel has to offer. One of the activities students really enjoyed was rafting in the jordan river in the galil, where the group took boats down the river and went swimming. The most meaningful part of the trip for students was visiting the kotel, for some of them for the first time, and putting notes in the western wall. Birthright is one of the most meaningful opportunities Syracuse Hillel can offer our students.
Freshfest: freshfest is the largest pre-orientation program at Syracuse university, hosted by Syracuse Hillel. Students that sign up for freshfest will have access to: early move-in: participants move into their residence halls the monday before regular move-in. Two days of programming: participate in two days of activities that help them get acclimated to campus. Past activities have included field trips to the new york state fair and dave & busters, greek life panel, study abroad panel, ultimate frisbee, and a welcome breakfast in the dome for participants and their families. Tailored mentorship: are paired with a returning student mentor. Mentors represent a wide variety of majors, have lived in almost every residence hall, hail from across the country, and are incredibly involved in the orange community. More importantly, they are all leaders on campus and at Hillel and are there to answer questions, to a guide to su life, and build an enduring relationship with participants. Freshfest is a great way to meet other incoming students and returning students before the academic year begins.
Israel program: Syracuse Hillel seeks to provide every jewish student with the opportunity to explore and build an enduring relationships with israel. Syracuse Hillel offers a number of differnt opportunities to connect with israel including, but not limited to... israel learning fellowship (ilf) is Hillel's 10-week learning fellowship and is for students looking to dive deeper into israeli culture, politics, and history. On 4/6/2022, Syracuse Hillel hosted an evening with noa tishby, an israeli-american actress, producer, writer and activist. She is the founder of "act for israel," israel's first online advocacy organization and is the author of israel: a simple guide to the most misunderstood country on earth. Syracuse Hillel also hosted an israel movie night, israeli cooking classes and numerous programs throughout israel week, as well as a summer 2021 birthright israel trip and perspectives trip to israel and the west bank.
Other programs: shabbat, passover, hanukkah, high holy days, hjsu, pnei, purim, shabbat, staff engagement, tzedek programming, jlf, awards/student recognition, religious life, family circle, and general program.