Shalom,

I want to share with you some of the exciting work of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center here at Indiana University. We pride ourselves on creating a "Jewish home away from home", and now serve close to 4,000 Jewish students, providing them with a wide array of unique and innovative programs that help to create a strong and vibrant Jewish community on campus. We offer everything from Shabbat services and FREE Shabbat dinners to delivering FREE matzah ball soup to sick students. Hillel touches the lives of all Jewish students at IU through programs, religious observances, and as an advocate on campus, and by our presence on campus reminding the student community that there is a strong Jewish community in Bloomington.  We also view it as one of our primary responsibilities to educate the general campus community about Judaism and Israel, and to promote diversity programming and understanding on campus.

At Hillel we pride ourselves on constantly developing new and exciting programs to better serve students, and to empower them to grow and become strong leaders within our community. Thanks to the support of our parents, alumni, and friends in the community we were able to create many new initiatives and opportunities like “HooShir”, Hillel’s first a capella group, that performed at the White House Chanukah party this past December.  The staff and student leaders at Hillel are also committed to creativity in programming, and we have already planned several new initiatives including our first ever Extreme Sukkah Makeover, as well as the continuation of an exciting new national program that was piloted at IU in the spring of 2007 called “ReJEWvenation.”  Through your participation in Parents Club, you are enabling Hillel to continue to provide award winning and nationally recognized programs and services to your student while they are attending Indiana University.

Even if your child does not take advantage of these programs and services directly, your child benefits from IU Hillel's work to create a community that fosters Jewish life. We have worked diligently with Indiana University on diversity training, and successfully helped to create IU’s policy allowing students to be excused from classes without penalty for religious observances. Your investment in Jewish student life is critical to our continuing success!  There has been a dramatic increase in the demand for Hillel over the past few years.  We truly need your support more than ever. Please consider becoming a member of our Parents Club, Club Dor L'Dor (Generation to Generation).

When you become a Chai-Giver in Club Dor L’Dor, you will be helping us nurture your child’s Jewish self.  This membership will help to sustain our many creative programs and enable us to continue to inspire your child.  Your tax deductible Chai-Giver donation will also provide you and your child with many exciting benefits.

We know that you worry about your child when he/she is not at home. Rest assured that Hillel will always provide your child with a warm and welcoming Jewish home to visit on campus. Your gift ensures the continued growth and success of Hillel. If you have any questions, ideas, or concerns, please feel free to call me at 812-336-3824.

Thank you for your generosity,