Register Now for Taglit-Birthright Israel

When registering for Taglit-Birthright Israel make sure to select "January - Hillel - Explore Israel Campus Trip" as your trip option and "Hillel: the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life" as your trip organizer. Please note you must complete all eight sections of the application including the fully refundable deposit. The tentative dates for the trip are January 1-11, 2009.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur on Grounds

Hillel is pleased to host Reform and Conservative services on Grounds for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The services are open to all students and there is no need to purchase tickets or sign up in advance. Hillel also hosts free holiday meals for students. Parents, alumni and community members are welcome to join our community for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A complete schedule and additional information is available on our web site.

Alternative Breaks to Uruguay and Ukraine

Hillel is pleased to announce two alternative break trips to work with Jewish communities abroad.  We will visit Montevideo, Uruguary during spring break and the Ukraine over the summer.  In each trip, UVa students will explore the host country, learn about the Jewish community, and work with Jewish college age students to do important service work for the Jewish community.  Each trip will cost approximately $2000 after subsidies.  Hillel will provide you with the tools to raise additional money to subsidize the cost of your trip. If you are interested in participating, please fill out the application and e-mail it to resformes@virginia.edu.

Sleepout for the Homeless

During the holiday of Sukkot it is customary for Jews to sleep outside in a temporary dwelling known as a Sukkah to commemorate the Israelites spent wandering the desert. Jewish Social Justice Council is sponsoring the third annual Sleepout for the Homeless to support those in our community for whom sleeping outside is not an occasion to celebrate. During the sleepout, UVa students of all faiths and backgrounds will be sponsored by their friends and families to sleeping out for 1-7 nights. The money raised will go directly to a local organizations that help the homeless in Charlottesville.

UVa Hillel Awarded Major Matching Grant

University of Virginia Hillel has received a $250,000 matching grant in its capital campaign to expande and renovate its facility at 1824 University Circle which will be known as the Brody Jewish Student Center. Hillel has raised $2.1 million of the $3 million it needs to renovate and expand its building. It hopes to complete the 12,000-square-foot project by 2009.