1. Who's Who at Hillel?

2. How is Hillel run?
The structure of IU Hillel is as follows:

Statewide Governing Board:
This board, comprised of community leaders and alumni from around the state of Indiana (i.e. South Bend, Indianapolis, Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Munster), is responsible for policy setting and ensuring the viability of and operation of Hillel. Each member also sits on one of the following committees: Personnel, Long-Range Planning and Programming, Finance/Budget, Bloomington Maintenance and support, Nominating, Career Mentor, Jewish Geography, Public Relations and By-Laws. Two sets of parents also sit on the Governing Board as chair people of the Parents' Council.

The Hillel Staff:
The Hillel professional and support staff oversees the day-to-day operations, program development, outreach, student leadership training, student programming, and of course as the matzah ball soup deliverers.

Student Leadership Cabinet:
The Student Leadership Cabinet creates and implements programs, events, and policies for student groups. The Cabinet also oversees the budget for all student groups. Positions are filled once a year at the end of the spring semester. Students on our leadership cabinet are eligible to enroll in our R100 Leadership course (one university credit through the HPER dept.).

3. Where is the building and what can I do there?

The building is located at 730 E. Third Street (right across from Swain Hall and next to the ATO Fraternity House).

There are a ton of things to do in our building:

• You can surf the net in our new computer lab or you can bring in your laptop/pda and hop on our wireless connection.
• You can kick your feet up and relax on our couch while watching your favorite t.v. show or movie with your friends.
• Shoot pool in our student lounge or play games on our X-Box.
• Just like home, you can help yourself to leftovers from the previous nights’ dinner.
• Work out in the weight room
• Study in the library (and enjoy a bowl of matzah ball soup!)
• Take a nap!
• Most importantly, meet up with your friends and just have a good time hanging out!

4. How many Jewish students are there at IU?

While we do not know exactly, we estimate that there are between 3,800 and 4,000 Jewish students. The Jewish student community comprises about 10%-12% of the total student population at IU. Roughly 80% of the Jewish student body is from outside the state of Indiana, creating an active and diverse Jewish student community.

5. How active is the Hillel at IU?

VERY!!! In addition to our regular program of social, cultural, educational and religious activities, we sponsor several clubs in which students can get involved. Some clubs include: Mitzvah Corps, Sports and Recreation, United Jewish Communities, Indiana Israel Public Affairs Committee (IIPAC), Graduate Student Group and Jews In Greek Life (JIGL). The Hillel at IU is committed to creating as many avenues for students to connect and explore their Jewish identity while here in Bloomington, and strives to create a warm and welcoming Jewish home away from home on campus.

6. What does Hillel provide for students on holidays?

Hillel sponsors and provides a full menu of religious services (both reform and conservative) and special meals and/or programs for every Jewish holiday. During Passover, Hillel provides multiple Seders (a conservative, reform, a fraternity/sorority Seder, and a freshman Seder) and offers a kosher-for-Passover meal plan of lunches and dinners the entire week. Along with reform & conservative service options for the High Holy Days, Hillel offers dinners for Erev Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur both at Hillel and in northwest neighborhood (freshman dorms).

7. What does Hillel do for Shabbat?

Every Friday Hillel offers Shabbat services, (Reform, Conservative and Orthodox) all at 6:15 p.m. FREE Shabbat Dinner is served every week at about 7:30 p.m. or after all services have ended (whichever comes first) All services are student led so the exact service may vary from week to week. Depending on the interest, Hillel also offers Shabbat morning services once or twice a month.

8. Is there a lot of anti-Semitism on campus?

No! We don't know of many incidents in the past nine or ten years. Any incidents that have surfaced have been dealt with effectively by the university. IU does a great job at diversity education and is constantly working to educate not only the students, but the faculty, professors and administration, so that everyone will be sensitive to the various cultures on campus. Hillel is a leader on campus in diversity education, and provides an exceptional source of education for the campus community with regards to Judaism and its customs.

9. What is a Discover Hillel card?

Although we consider all Jewish students at IU as "members" of Hillel, the DH card enables them to further support Hillel and offers some exciting new benefits to students including discounts at local merchants, discounts at Hillel events, use of the Hillel Fitness Center, and more. Click here for a link to our new brochure.

10. Is there Kosher food on campus?

Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, from 5:30pm-7:00pm, Hillel offers "Kosher Cafe," as well as a Shabbat Dinner on Friday night. Kosher Cafe meals can be paid per meal or students can register for our Kosher Meal Plan and prepay for the entire year. All food served at Hillel is strictly kosher.

11. What is Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and The Schusterman International Center?

The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life (Hillel International) serves as Hillel's operating agency, taking responsibility for quality assurance, program accountability, and fiscal integrity for the network of campus Hillels and for Jewish campus life in general. The Foundation's Board of Governors is chaired by Edgar M. Bronfman. This group of respected communal leaders, philanthropists and students provides counsel, guidance, and support for the Foundation for Jewish Campus life.

The Schusterman International Center, located in Washington, DC, provides the international leadership, administrative supervision, national accreditation, professional training, and development support for Hillel Foundations, Regional Centers and other Hillels throughout the world. The International Center also coordinates national student programs and initiatives, encourages participation by national lay leadership, and coordinates community relations. The President and International Director of the International Center is Richard Joel.

12. IU Hillel is fully accredited. What does that mean?

Hillel is a network of agencies across the United States and around the world, varying in size and serving students in many different environments. The necessity of providing a consistently high level of program to meet the needs of the twenty-first century has led to the development of an accreditation system. The objectives of the accreditation program are as follows:

• To enhance and enrich the functioning of each Hillel Foundation by identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and by providing a means to develop and implement recommendations for improvement;
• To provide insight and quality assurance to funding agencies, leadership boards, professional staff and students;
• To identify ways in which the International Center can assist the Foundation and build a closer relationship between the Center and the Foundation;
• To develop guidelines and standards for the operation of Hillel Foundations;
• To identify successful models of practice to further the exchange of resources and skills;
• To develop aggregate data regarding the functioning of Hillel Foundations.

Accreditation has four stages: A self-study questionnaire completed by the Hillel board, staff and students; a site visit by a team of objective, outside evaluators; a report assessing the Hillel according to the standards for accreditation; and an action plan prepared to respond to the recommendations of the report.

Each Hillel is evaluated in the following areas: Governance, Program, Personnel, Planning/Evaluation, Communications, Finance, Facility, and Relationship with the University and Community.

Indiana Hillel was accredited in May of 1995. If you would like to read the full Accreditation Report, please contact Rabbi Shifron at hillel@indiana.edu.

13. What are the Hillel Hours?

With the exception of holidays, Hillel's doors are open for you to visit during the following hours:
• Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Friday, 9:00 a.m. - Shabbat
• Sunday, 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.