The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh

provided great opportunities for me when I was a student at Carnegie Mellon. lots of spirit & a pleasant environment. great building!

The Hillel JUC provides students in the Pittsburgh area a Jewish home away from home. With sensitivity, creativity and lot’s of humor the organization has managed to attract students from different Jewish experiences and background and enable all to have a place for personal and spiritual growth. From the first moment one comes into the building, it is clear that it’s a welcoming place – though this may be obvious to all who have experienced the Hillel JUC, this is not always the case and I credit the incredible staff and leadership. Over the past six years I have followed the activities, the innovation, the spirit and the growth – continue to do a great job. Yesher Co’ach

Where do I begin? The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh was literally a second home to me during my college years; I probably spent more time there than at my respective dorm or apartment in any given year. I served on the Social Justice committee as its head for two years as well as the Pitt student board, participated in the weekly activties, and interned for two years with Campus SuperStar. Not only did I make so many friends and become close with the staff, but I also became very well-connected with the LAY Board and the Pittsburgh Jewish Community. The amount of dedication by the staff and community is unmeasurable and has impacted so many Pittsburgh area students. From my experiences via Hillel, I grew a lot as a person and has served well for my professional life. In fact, I felt that my experience was so meaningful, I choose to work as the International Programs Coordinator at Hillel Uruguay from August 2008-August 2009 in order to help give other students a taste of what I was given during my time at the JUC. I was so lucky to have been given numerous opportunities throughout my 4 years with the JUC. I would be crushed if students now would not be able to access those same opportunities - please help Hillel JUC continue to make those experiences.

Hillel is such an important part of our community. Young adults come from all over the country and become part of our community through their involvement in Hillel. I enjoyed my time volunteering and helping young adults grow as Jews and as Pittsburghers.

The Hillel JUC has made a tremendous difference in the lives of Jewish students on campus in Pittsburgh. I helped to start an organization in the late 90's called Shalom Pittsburgh, which was dedicated to attracting and maintaining the young adult Jewish population in Pittsburgh. But addressing our college and graduate students was more than we could handle. Aaron Weil changed that with his dynamic, visionary leadership and constant to attention to the needs of the students, not the organization. As a result, the Hillel JUC has grown to serve a much wider population than anyone could have imagined. Well done!

As a parent of an active Hillel student volunteer, I have seen first hand the many ways that Hillel is making a difference in the local community and beyond. Hillel reached out to our daughter before she even arrived on campus as a freshman at Pitt. She suggested that we visit during orientation and the welcome feeling that we experienced and the feeling of being at home was one that continues every time we walk in the building! Hillel has made a tremendous impact on our daughters life- she is now a senior at Pitt and has been active in the student board. Through her invovlement I have watched her grow into dymanic leader and community volunteer. It would be hard to capture in a short review the many ways that Hillel has positively impacted our daughter. I am truly thankful that this organization is her home away from home and for the many wonderful staff and volunteers that make Hillel

AS A BOARD MEMBER OF HILLEL JUC OF PITTSBURGH I FIND IT VERY REWARDING TO SEE THE GROWTH OF THIS ORGANIZATION IN THE PAST 6 YEARS SINCE OUR EXEC DIRECTO AARON WEIL TOOK OVER THE REINS. IT IS GREAT TO SEE ALL THE COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM 3 UNIVERSITIES ATTEND TO ENHANCE THEIR JEWISH WAY OF LIVING, OUR J BURGH WHERE WE HAVE I WONDERFUL LEADER IN DAVID KATZ BRING OUR 23-29 YEAR OLD TO GETHER FOR THEIR JEWISH EXPERIENCE.

As a student, Hillel has enhanced my college experience in ways that I cannot fully articulate. The feeling of community that comes along with an organization like Hillel is unique and extremely important for the lives of Jewish students at Pitt. Whenever I arrive at Hillel, I am greeted with warm smiles and friendly faces. I feel that I have returned home, to a place where I am understood and appreciated. Hillel is my home away from home.

This is my second experience as a board member. As a professor at a Catholic university in Pittsburgh, the draw to the JUC is compelling both personally and professionally. Given the demographics of my university, there are a surprising number of Jewish students at both the UG and Grad levels. It is important to help connect these students - whether they are native Pittsburgh-ers or by choice, to the thriving Jewish community.

I've received the email newsletter for years and admired the breadth and depth of the activities and programs and resources. The website and emails are extremely well done. I've also attended a couple Jewish Faculty gatherings at the Hillel JUC building. They have been interesting, enjoyable, and very worthwhile.

Wether it's running services or a program, the Hillel JUC does an excellent job making jewish life accessible to any student who comes by and makes it engaging.

The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh has broken the mold, bringing programs and opportunities for identity building out onto the campus where the students are, rather than waiting for the students to find them.

Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh is one of the best Hillels in the country. Their director is terrific and they are at the forefront of student engagement.

I became involved when I was brought by a friend to a Shabbat dinner, where more than a hundred kids were singing, praying, and eating together. It was a wonderful, emotional thing to watch. It made me know that this Hillel is very special and an organization I want to be part of.

I went on the Birthright trip in 2006, and afterward spent time at Hillel. I enjoyed exploring my culture and getting to know others like myself and participating in events related to my background. I would definitely recommend Hillel to others looking to explore their heritage in a welcoming environment that also has no fees.

Hillel has always been very supportive of Jewish activities and events. Whether it is providing space or funding, they can always pull through to help you get an event together.

I was in Family Ties, which hooks teenagers with families. I was put with a really awesome family which allowed me to first of all have family dinners here at school, but second of all it actually become quite like a real family to me!

Hillel is an awesome organization. By providing a wide variety of opportunities, Hillel supports college-age students as they grow and explore their adult identity. Students can participate in a range of interesting activities which helps enrich their campus experience. From my experience, Hillel connects people and they make life-long friendships. They also enrich their campus community and strengthen the communities they move into after they graduate. Hillel changes lives, and has a powerful impact in the lives of so many people.

The Hillel JUC continues to be a leading Hillel within the Hillel family. As a sn executive w/Hillel I have been extremely impressed with the JUC's ability to engage jewish students on campus. Their creative programs combined with a 1st class staff and strong lay leadership board has enabled this Hillel to be one of the leading Hillel's in the US.

The Hillel JUC offers so many options for students wanting to connect to their Judaism and their community. As director of the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, I am lucky to have Hillel JUC students pack bags of food for our clients, host kosher food drives and be the beneficiary of a great Chanukah toy drive for our families. Our program was also a beneficiary from their Campus Super Star event. On a personal level, our family participates in the new Family Ties program. We could not have asked for a better match! My young daugthers have quickly bonded with Ashley and are looking forward to a long relationship thanks to the JUC!

I had experience with the Hillel JUC as a student and later as a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon. I particularly enjoyed attending the Shabbat services and dinners. It was absolutely fabulous what a welcoming experience it was there for all denominations and for young Jews from all over Pittsburgh. They instituted a speed babysitting evening to help connect local families with college students willing to assist them which is just a great idea and very helpful for both the local community and the students. The administration was outstanding and dedicated. It is in my opinion vitally important to have this kind of place available for both the Jewish students in Pittsburgh but also for our community. We need more organizations which can facilitate interaction and celebration of Jews of all backgrounds and ages in a central location and across all levels of observance. This is something that Hillel does exceptionally well. Their weekly social events, speakers, kosher food preparation parties, coffees and website all work together to promote a vigorous, lively, nurturing and exciting atmosphere. Their programming and social events are key elements in making this happen and I always found their events to be pleasant, rewarding insightful and joyous. This is an organization truly worthy of support.

The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh was my first Jewish experience when I came to college, and it continues to be one of my most important. It's where I've gone for nearly all the major holidays in the past four years and it's where I've gone for all of my shabbat dinners as well. The Hillel JUC is a great place for students to congregate due to their excellent programming and opportunities, and has helped me meet and get to know countless other Jewish students from the Pittsburgh area. I hope that it is able to serve many more people in the future.

A great, welcoming organization that came so far in my 4 years as a board member and Hillel organizer. It really provides something for everyone -- whether your interests are social justice, sports, Israel, volunteering, or just about anything else, it's really possible to find your niche and grow as a Jewish individual.

Hillel does an excellent job providing resources and support to Jewish students and campus organizations. In particular, the organization I work for has been able to fully fund Jewish programming for a number of years, helping to foster Jewish identity and participation in the students we represent. Recent economic conditions have caused some issues, but the organization as a whole runs very efficiently. Somewhat seperately, at least in the minds of students, Hillel has been the center of Friday Night observance for the Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, and Duquesne campuses, a fact that has allowed me to make friends across Pittsburgh and keep in touch regularly.

I had the honor and pleasure of serving as chair of the board of directors at the Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh from 2006-2008. Prior to that, I served on the board for 6 years on various committees. Being able to see first hand the passion and commitment that the staff and volunteers have in communicating their mission to the community has been an amazing experience for me. I believe very strongly that our future as a Jewish community will be as a result of the connections made through the programs and work being done here.

I am constantly looking at their programming calendar, marketing materials, and vision and learning from them. They have some of the best marketing materials in the Hillel world.

Hillel JUC has been providing a Jewish community for Jewish college students for over 50 years. I have been on the board for 15 years and have seen seen our community grow dramatically through the help of great staff, a brand new building, and most importantly through the leadership of our students.

The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh offers an incredible array of programs and services for Jewish students. I am constantly inspired and impressed by their level of service to Jewish students and in creating Jewish community. They continue to be creative and push the envelope as a Hillel to connect students to their place in the Jewish story. Through programs like Campus Superstar they reach well beyond their building and delve deep into campus to make and impact.

Being from Pittsburgh, Hillel JUC’ J'Burgh's programs have helped me reconnect with those I knew from my childhood but also meet new people in my age group as well. I have always been accustomed to a Friday night Shabbat experience (service, dinner, oneg, etc.) with those in my age group, whether it was through Hillel in college away from my hometown, USY or Camp Ramah. I have been able to continue that Friday night experience while participating in Hillel JUC’s J'Burgh's East End Minyan. In addition, as a board member of Congregation Beth Shalom, I have witnessed the efforts Hillel JUC’s undergraduate division and J’Burgh’s graduate division, which they have successfully conducted outreach and partnerships with its neighboring congregations, such as Congregation Beth Shalom in Squirrel Hill. For many years, they have coordinated their undergraduate and graduate students to attend Beth Shalom’s High Holiday and weekly Shabbat services as well as work in the synagogue’s Religious School, Pre School, USY and Kadima. Hillel JUC and J’Burgh have ensured their students who are accustomed to having a family-style (meal) atmosphere on the High Holidays made possible. Beth Shalom families have welcomed students into their houses with open arms. In return, Beth Shalom has generously helped sponsor and attended Hillel JUC’s Shabbat dinners and fundraisers over the years. Hillel JUC’s and Hillel JUC J’Burgh’s students have made a positive impact on Beth Shalom’s programming, services and schools, and positive interactions with the congregation’s membership.

The Friday night Sabbat dinners draw a high number of Univeristy students and is a wonderful opportunity for students from all of the local Universities to get to know one another thus increasing their opportunity to meet Jewish students. It creates a positive community experience for students who look forward to it on a weekly basis.

They have been very active on the college campuses in Pittsburgh, bringing in interesting speakers and being a positive advocate for Israel on campus. It is a really special organization and one in which the limelight should shine. Rena Becker

As a mother of two college kids Friday dinner and services became a great source of socialization with peers. As a director of a HUD senior housing Hillel volunteers are part of helping us keep the Jewish tradition for our Jewish frail seniors and from time to time we take advantage of a volunteer helping with our IT needs.

Amazing, entrepeneurial, well run and managed organization. Constantly pushing the envelope to try new and innovative ideas. As a volunteer in one of their programs to "adopt" local college students, I see firsthand that Hillel JUC tries not only to engage Jewish college students, but to encourage their involvement with the greater community.

I remember being totally turned off by the Hillel organization when I went to school in Florida. For that reason I was totally amazed by what I saw in Pittsburgh. The amount of programing, the Friday night dinners with hundreds of students and services for all denominations, the interaction between staff and students. All these made me realize what had been so lacking in my own experience many years ago.

I have been a teacher at Hillel JUC numerous times. Each time I am there, I am so very impressed with the level of learning that goes on among the students. In session after session, it is plain that Hillel JUC has stimulated a strong affiliation to and enthusiasm for Judaism on campus. Their wonderful building is a focal point for Jewish campus life, and a magnet for building community among a large number of young Jewish adults.

I'm from out of town but each time I visited, the HIllel was buzzing - students every where - involved, active, interested, committed - and happy to be there. Can't help being impressed that these young students have such an inviting place to "hang" - one that encourages their Jewish Identity and culture.

The Jewish University Center (Hillel) and J'Burgh have excellent reputations in the Pittsburgh community for engaging large number of young Jews in a meaningful way. Two of their programs which are particularly well-known to the community at large are outstanding: In one program, students are matched up with local families. This has the dual benefit of connecting students to local families, as their own families are far away, and giving them the opportunity to engage in Jewish activities they might not otherwise experience. To my knowledge, this is the first program of its type in the country. Although it was just recently instituted, there is an exceptional number of college students paired up. The people I have spoken to who participate in this program have all given its positive reviews. In addition, the Friday night Sabbath dinner draws an extraordinarily high number of Hillel members and meets its goal of creating a college and 20-something community, while engaging the participants in meaningful Jewish activity. Both of these programs consistently get excellent feedback from the people involved. These programs are two of the biggest reasons I am a supporter of this organization.

For my freshman year of college, I attended a small liberal arts school in central Pennsylvania. I was very disappointed in the Jewish life there and I decided to transfer out of the school. I looked at and toured a few other college, but none seemed to have a strong Jewish community that connected with both the students and the local community. When I stepped into the Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh, I was overwhlemed with all of its offerings. It's a huge 3-floor building with an activity longue, an Israeli-style coffee house, a library and an all-purpose room. There's an entire staff dedicated to student and community involvement/opportunities. I was also impressed with the Shabbat Dinners. On average they had about 200 people; at my small college, I was used to 20 people at Shabbat Dinner. Since my time at Pitt, I have made many wonderful friends, joined many clubs (some Jewish based, some Israel based) and I have connected with the local Jewish communities on many frontiers. All of that was possible because of Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh!

I have been involved with this organization for 10 years now in various capacities, and it has proved to be rewarding in each of those capacities. Whether it was introducing me to a new campus, helping with my job search, or getting me to meet new Jewish people in our community, the Hillel-JUC has always done an incredible job of welcoming me and my peers.

I have been active at Hillel Jewish University Center in Pgh for many years. The programs for the students are exciting and thought provoking. There is always something going on to keep the students informed and connected to Jewish life on campus and the Pittsburgh community. My husband and I have hosted many Shabbat dinners at Hillel and are involved in fundraising and "Campus Superstar"

My daughter Danielle is a Freshman at the University of Pittsburgh. She and some new friends found their way to Hillel JUC the very first week of school. They attended Friday night services and enjoyed a delicious dinner surrounded by fellow Jewish students. It was a nice way for her to feel comfortable in her new surroundings. This was the first year Danielle was away from home for the Jewish holidays. Again, she joined new friends and attended High Holy Day services. She told us she felt good about observing the holidays and less homesick. For these reasons, my husband and I feel so fortunate that the Hillel is so accessible to Danielle and a spiritual home away from home. We are now supporters of the Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh and appreciate the importance of it's presence!!

Over the past few years while visiting friends and family I have seen Hillel grow to be not only a social focal point, but also a Jewish voice on campus and for the Jewish community of Pittsburgh. It is though Organizations such Hillel JUC that the Jewish community of the future depends.

There is a saying that "If you build it, they will come." Well, this is not always true. But in the case of the Edward and Rose Berman JUC, the new facility, combined with an incredibly talented staff, is truly a wonderful destination and connection place for Jewish undergraduate and graduate students. The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh is a dynamic organization that uniquely serves multiple universities in Pittsburgh. Quality programming and excellent staff (and student) leadership make Hillel JUC an important part of the univeristy experience in Pittsburgh.

This is the most dynamic organization I have ever been associated with. I am continually inspired by the students, whose reports are so enthusiastic, and by the creativity of the staff, who convert every challenge into an opportunity. All that's missing is more money.

I have just joined the board and am so impressed with the fantastic environment at Hillel-JUC. What a wonderful home away from home for students. I have also joined Hillel's excellent program Family Ties, which is a great way for students to connect with the Jewish community.

We just came back from visiting our freshman son at University of Pittsurgh. For the past two months I have been bugging him to go check out the Hillel, but of course he did not go. On Sunday this past weekend they had a wonderful brunch which we all went to, and my son had a great time. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and the place is very warm, comfortable, and inviting. My son met some kids there that he already knew, and was impressed with the facility. I think he needed a push to go, but now he says he plans to go back on his own. He could go to Friday night Shabbat dinner, services, social events, or just to hang out and meet other Jewish kids. That brunch was a great idea!

Hi, I am a Jewish Pittsburgh resident. I have lived here most of my life and love the city we have. I have been involved with our local JUC in several capacities, but this time... My family and I have volunteered for a program called "Family Ties"...A new idea of connecting jewish students from out of the area with local families in the area. The connection is meant to be on any level that works. We have hosted our student once in our home and once in our neighborhood. Unfortunately,.. just last week, she was unexpectantly hospitalized. We were her contact family... We were able to let her parents who know that she was fine and in good hands. Somewhat of a weird introduction between the two families, but I look forward to meeting her parents one on one in the near future. Great idea for a new program....

Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh gave my daughter the opportunity to organize, with 3 other young women, a Jewish a capella group. This was a goal she had set for herself for her Freshman year. The Hillel intern shared the same desire and Vokols was born!

As an interested community member and university faculty member, I have attended several JBurgh events just to see what it is all about. I must say that I was most impressed with the enthusiasm and the attendance. They have attracted university types who no doubt would have no other opportunity to get together and would not take advantage of anything like this unless it was all organized for them. There is simply no other Jewish game in town for these young people. JBurgh has created a "buzz" on campus that is just great. The targeting of these young people is so essential and I am just thrilled that Pittsburgh has gotten JBurgh up and running to attract and appeal to this most important age cohort.

The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh is my favorite place on campus. It is warm and friendly. There are always people there who want to talk with you. I am a student and I have been very involved with Hillel since my early days as a freshmen in college. I love that we have Shabbat dinners every friday night, but I am sad to see that because they cost money this year, they are not as popular and vibrant as they were last year. Shabbat dinners are the highlight of my week, and I know many of my friends feel the same way. Everyone at Hillel hopes we can find a way to have the extremely active, and warm Shabbat dinners we once had. Other experiences I have enjoyed with Hillel are different events we have had, including when we saw Fiddler on the Roof downtown. That was a great night, and a very cultural experience! I feel that my connection with Hillel will continue to grow.

stop spamming. get callie1975@gmail.com off of your list. NOW. I've unsubscribed and still got emails. I never asked to be on it in the first place and would like to know how my email ever did get on the list.

I was wandering near campus and happened in to see what was going on. While inside I caught part of a lecture, and spent a brief time looking at the art on the walls. Coming away from the building I felt there was life at the facility and that the whole project is imbued with high-quality.

I'm from Austin. My daughter began Carnegie Mellon University this August. During the first day of orientation we opted to attend the luncheon at the Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh. I expected the food to be wonderful and I wasn't disappointed. What I didn't expect was to be greeted with such warmth and welcome from the staff of the Hillel and the other parents from all over the country. While I was there I signed my daughter up for the Chai Circle. As fate would have it, she became sick with the flu the first week of classes. She called the Chai hotline, and as promised, a jar of delicious and medicinal Chicken soup was delivered to her dorm. It gives me a much needed boost of motherly peace-of-mind to know my daughter has the multitude of resources via Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh.

I have joined their chicken soup club which gives me a little peace of mind as a Jewish mom that if my son becomes ill, they will bring him chicken soup and let me know how he is doing. We haven't needed it yet, but I feel good knowing it is available.

I am the parent of a University of Pittsburgh freshman, and I attended a brunch at JUC Hillel during Family Weekend. It was such a nice event. The Board members were so friendly to my husband and I and my daughter. I am amazed at the commitment these Pittsburgh residence have to Hillel. Not only were they preparing omletes for everyone that morning, but they let us know that their commitment extends to helping young Jewish adults with all aspects of life in Pittsburgh. They said they are there to help with career advice and finding interships for the students. My daughter was given some of the Board members cards to call if she ever needs anything. She has already enjoyed meeting the family she was matched with in the Family Ties Program. We have another student at a different college, and there is nothing like this sense of community there. The commitment at JUC of Pittsbugh is amazing.

Outstanding outreach for Jewish students. Parents are reassurred that their children have a "Jewish" home when they are away at college. Students find a place where they can be around others like themselves. Friday night dinners are a spectacular hit, especially for first year students.

The Hillel JUC has proven over a number of years that creating meaningful relationships with students from a variety of backgrounds makes a real difference to their lives. The significant difference that the Hillel JUC makes to students is in no small part due to the care and respect that is shown to every student that comes into the building. Each student matters to the staff and leadership of the JUC. At a time when a perceived sense of student apathy is rife, the values of inclusivity and social justice set the Hillel JUC apart as a beacon of excellence and hope.

My daughter was welcomed to Hillel even before she began studying there. She was given a tour and introduced to a number of staff members and students. When she began her studies she was encouraged to come for Shabbat meals and programs, and an opportunity to participate in the student board. She is now about to become the Student Board president, and I couldn't be prouder. Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh is helping to create the next generation of Jewish Leadership.

As a parent of a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, my husband and I have been very happy with the support Hillel offers our son. They have a welcoming Shabbat dinner on Friday nights. This year he is participating in their Host Family program. He preferred celebrating the High Holidays with a family instead of with a group of students and they matched him with a warm family who have subsequently invited him to Shabbat dinner in their home. We are so happy that our son has an "instant community" his first time living away from home.

Hillel supported me to help create a Jewish a cappella group at the University of Pittsburgh. From day one of the VoKols, there has been incredible support-emotional and monetary for any endeavor we have pursued as a group. Without a cappella, my college career would be MUCH less meaningful and I wouldn't have made nearly as many Jewish, life-lasting friendships.

Wonderful organization that has helped us bridge the gap of our daughter going to college 2000 miles away this fall. Helped us plan a long distance celebration for her birthday. We have signed up for the "chicken soup" service if she needs it. Great opportunity for her to meet other kids in a relaxed setting. We are very grateful for the Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh!

The organization is a great way to connect college students to the community. Nice place to find some "nice Jewish kids" to babysit.

this is very warm and inviting group. My son is a pitt student and has found a real home at Hillel, especially with social events.

My Friend Ethel Corn told me that the Hillel JUC meant so much to her, espically after her husband Sam died. As a member of AEPi, we would work with project that supported JUC, but I never knew my efforts would help a friend. There are so many organizations that never reached their milestones, while the Hillel JUC exceeds theirs. Our continued support makes a difference

Our daughter, a sophomore honors student at PITT benefits from Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh. There she meets her friends, celebrates Jewish life, enjoys communal meals and knows she has a safe place if she is having any issues as a Jewish student on campus. Hillel's presence is an active voice for assuring that the campus responds with sensitivity to issues of Jewish Concern. It is a place where students convene for social action and for interfaith activity.

First of all I must tell you that my parents met at Hillel and have been married for 56 years! Hillel was not really avaliable to me at Chatham 31 years ago! Last year I was asked to be on the board and finally it clicked for me (with a senior in highschool)that if a college age kid is exposed to Hillel when they are away from home forming their own jewish idenity the more likely they will be to get involve in their own jewish community( or stay in Pittsburgh because of Hillel and a job of course) and marry someone jewish and raise their children jewish! Great organization!

My most recent encounter with the Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh came through a moment of great silliness. I am a professor of history at CMU and was invited by Hillel to take one side in the annual "Great Hamantaschen Debate" in spring 2008. The debate question is which is the better holiday food, the hamantaschen or the latke? I argued on behalf of the hamantaschen. To my surprise, as I was preparing I discovered that this odd event actually has a deep and rich history in American academia, and I found myself neglecting some of my other work to write up the pro-hamantaschen ideas that began popping into my mind like popcorn in the week or two before the event. I was actually laughing alone at my computer. The night of the event was a real eye-opener for me. I was shocked at how many students attended the event. I was delighted to see how comfortable they felt, how good the food was, and what good spirits everyone was in. It was a lovely event, plus I won the debate. I am impressed that Hillel's activities range from the more traditional religious activities to something fun like this. My only constructive feedback would be to include some fruit or vegetables with dinner on the Great Debate night. A dinner of fried potato pancakes and baked pastry got a little heavy pretty fast!

The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh is a wonderful inviting place where I have seen fabulous programs and events reach out to many students. From their Shabbat dinners which draw a ton of students, to cultural events, and student involvement in the community I continue to be impressed with all that Hillel offers.

When I first came to the University of Pittsburgh, my sister tried to get me involved with the Hillel JUC. My first experience at one of their events was a Shabbat dinner that she brought me to. I met a bunch of her friends at Hillel, and she introduced me to the staff there. The dinner seemed very nice, but after this experience, I admit that I was reluctant to be involved with Hillel. I thought that I would have too much work to concentrate on, and I also had a group of friends already, which I thought would occupy most of my free time. However, I continued to attend a few more events along with my sister, and quickly but surely, I realized how wrong my expectations were. I started attending more and more events offered that related to sports activities. One of the things that suprised me about Hillel was the vast variety of events and activities that they offered throughout the year. Towards the end of my first semester, I hadn't attended a ton of Hillel events, but I also realized that I had not volunteered in any way, which is something I try to do as often as I can. Because of this, I decided to come back to school after our winter break and try to become more involved with the social action committee. I met with the chair of the committee during the first week of the new semester and started attending their meetings. In this committee, I found a great group of people who had very genuine qualities about them and were fun to hang out with. The more events I started going to, the more I found how much I enjoyed being a part of Hillel, and I quickly began to make an entire new group of friends. Surely enough, I started playing a more crucial role in helping to plan events, and the Hillel JUC became an important part of my life at school. I am now the social action chair of the student board, and I do something related to Hillel at least once or twice a week. Some of the people I have met in the orginization have become some of my best friends here at school, including my girlfriend. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in life is that the best things happen to you when you are least expecting them to. This feeling could not be more true about my experience with the Hillel JUC.

I go there almost every Friday night for services and/or dinner. It is great place to be. The students and the staff are extremely good and the food is very tasty.

We came to visit our son at the Univ. of Pittsburgh on a cold and blustery February weekend. His usual Friday night routine, is to go to the Hillel Foundation, shared by Univ. of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and Dusquene Universities. From the moment we walked in (and we were the only parents there that weekend), the warmth exuding from staff and students alike was exilarating. The students mixed together, regardless of their academic pursuits, their religious inclinations or where they lived or studied. It is unusual to find a campus environment where everyone is welcome, feels at home, and stays beyond mealtime to socialize. This is an institution that doesn't feel like an institution, and place where students can establish new friendships and explore meaningful issues without the worry of grades, and a home away from home. (They even send chicken soup, the best medicine there is, to students who are fighting the flu or a cold in the dorms or at home.) Such checking in on a student who feels 'under the weather',resonates with parents far from their kids.

My experience with Hillel JUC has been essential to my college experience thus far. Having joined the VoKols, Hillel's a capella group, as a freshman, I was immediately exposed to the facility and staff, and quickly learned what an incredible resource the Hillel JUC can be for college students in Pittsburgh. Shabbat dinners have become a staple in my week, serving as both a social event and an opportunity to communally practice Judaism in a pluralistic and inclusive setting. I have also, with the help of staff and other students, begun a student initiative for organic urban farming and cooking, using Hillel's new kitchen facility. The continuous support I receive from every staff member encourages me to develop programming and, in turn, further develop my own leadership skills.

My son is a second-year student at the University of Pittsburgh. From the first time we visited during his junior year in High School, the Hillel JUC Of Pittsburgh played a role in our choices. They welcomed us as visitors that first time, and described a comprehensive program serving students that seemed hard to believe. Free Shabbat dinners, services of all kinds, and a really cool place to hang out (big-screen TV, game consoles, books, and everything else you can ask for). They told us if there was something we thought was missing, we could put together a proposal and it would be considered. Amazing! Once my son arrived at Pitt, Hillel continued to be as welcoming and nurturing as we thought they could be. From the Shabbat services and dinners to the "Chicken Soup Patrol" (they visit the students in the dorm and take them soup if they're sick) they made it just that much easier for me to be hundreds of miles away from him. He met lots of other Jewish students there, and formed friendships. Now in his second year his schedule is less conducive to regular visits, but he still spent Yom Kippur with his Hillel friends because he couldn't be at home, and that just gives you a good feeling. This is a first-class organization that focuses exclusively on the students' needs and fills a real gap in the life of a university student. As a parent, I'm very glad they're there!

Hillel provides a weekly Shabbat experience for my daughter. It has made it possible for her to connect with other Jewish college students from all over Pittsburgh. Through Hillel she has found out about other programs to participate in that reflect her interests in political science, Judiasm and community service. Through Hillel she learned about Taglit Birthright, and will hopefully be able to visit Israel with them next summer. They also connect Jewish students in Pittsburgh with families with whom they can share holidays and other meaningful experiences. It is a wonderful organization that fulfills vital needs in the Jewish student community.

Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh was one of the main reasons I decided to go to Carnegie Mellon University. The open, welcoming community Hillel JUC has created serves as a great source of Jewish life on many of Pittsburgh's campuses, bring together a diverse and active community.

I recall attending Hillel dinners as an undergraduate student, and know that the same experience is important to many of my own students at the University of Pittsburgh. Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh is a stellar presence in our community. Keep up the great work!

We have used Hillel JUC as a source for college-age students nearby. Why would a family with school age children care? We've gone to the Hillel well for two different purposes. First, we participated in its "speed dating" babysitting matches. We found a babysitter who followed our religious traditions. More recently, we "adopted" a student for occasional meals and holidays. We are a resource for him -- we've added to his knowledge of ice cream stores, and his ability to pull together a Halloween costume. For our children, they see someone just a few years older than themselves living independently (and Jewishly, too).

My daughter is a freshman at Carnegie Mellon University. We went to the luncheon hosted at Hillel JUC during orientation and were very warmly received. We were given a tour and were able to see the services available to the students. I was very impressed with the offerings and I know that it gave my daughter a ready made group of friends with similar interests.

When I was a student at Carnegie Mellon University, Hillel was always there to provide a place to go, religious services, and meals.

The people at Hillel were welcoming to me and helpful the moment I stepped into the building. They have helped me keep the Jewish traditions that I hold dear and kept me involved with Jewish life on campus. The building is really nice and brings Jews and non-Jews from both Pitt and Carnegie Mellon that otherwise would never meet. I love the staff and they have all become good friends of mine. Friday night Shabbat services and the dinners that follow each have great atmospheres and stories.

The Hillel JUC is a tremendous resource not only for the students at Pitt and CMU and other area colleges and universities, but the JUC is a great asset for the larger Pittsburgh community as well. Advocating for Jewish issues on campus - politically, socially and in the academic realm - Pittsburgh's larger Jewish community is much enhanced for the work of the staff, board and student leaders of JUC!

Coming from a small Jewish community in Akron, Ohio, Hillel has allowed me to really appreciate Judaism. From Saturday night Havdalah to watching Steeler's Games on Sunday, Hillel always has something going on. I have never come across an organization so dedicated to its students and their wellbeing. Their staff and student board is incredible and are attentive to any new ideas students have. I highly recommend it to any upcoming college student in Pitt who is looking for an experience of a lifetime!

As a student at Carnegie Mellon I found the Hillel to be a great social resource as well as a link to the greater community. Having attended a good number of their events, I took on a volunteer role in planning and programming as a freshmen which I continued through my senior year. Through that exposure I met people in the Jewish community and campus community, as well as people that Hillel brought in from Israel and other organizations to take part in our activities and to engage us. Both participating as a community member and volunteering in this organization were important growth opportunities for me that I wish I still had in my professional life. I still have ties to the community that tell me the group is still engaging and as vital as ever and it makes me happy to hear.

I am a Pittsburgh resident who is participating in Hillel JUC's Family Ties program. My family was paired with a college student so that we can provide her with home away from home care and a place to share the Jewish holidays when she is unable to go home. This program is fantastic. We are getting so much from this sophomore student and, in speaking to her parents, she is enjoying us as well. I am impressed that this program was developed and implemented locally and may now be carried to other Hillel organizations around the country.

Amazing organization for the students as well as the community. We always attend their babysitting program and their Campus Superstar program. When Jewish student come to Pitt, I always suggest JUC and I have only heard good things about it.

The Hillel JUC served as not only an influential organization during my college years, but also a place to call home. How often in college, can you find a place where you feel comfortable to be yourself and have a space where you can hang out forever. I formed a wonderful community of peers and staff that made a large university feel much smaller and feel a greater connection to city of Pittsburgh. Hillel completed my college experience and it was one of the best decisions I made in college.

Pittsburgh's Hillel should be on the list of "pros" that come with attending Carnegie Mellon or Pitt for any prospective Jewish student. The community that this organization has built is tremendous and the activities and care that they provide help students learn, develop, and grow like very few organizations. As a student at Carnegie Mellon without any connections in Pittsburgh I relied on Hillel and they welcomed me with open arms. So much so that I regard the community that they built for me as my "home" Jewish community.

I am a 2nd year Board Member and a member of the Community Relations Committee. I am also a parent of a 25 year old who is involved in J'Burgh. As a parent, my husband and I are very happy that my daughter wants to participate in something Jewish. One aspect of J"Burgh is the Sports Program. If there is a game, my daughter is there!

I was a student at CMU for five years, and lived in Pittsburgh for two more years after that. Hillel is the primary location for Jewish life in Pittsburgh for those who are unmarried, without kids, and not living with their parents. As a student, I joined the student board and founded a sub-organization for Reform Jews within Hillel. I heard from my peers that other Hillels were not welcoming to those who were not Orthodox -- but the Hillel JUC serves effectively as an umbrella organization, welcoming all Jews in the area. Aaron Weil, the executive director, is an expert at trying new approaches to engage students of all types in Jewish activities. Hillel is a place of community and ritual, as well as great opportunity. For example, through Hillel and Kesher, I traveled to Israel twice and Argentina once. Though there is a significant rift between CMU students and Pitt students -- exacerbated by the split programming and leadership that Hillel staff provide -- Hillel is a very diverse, friendly place for Jews at all times. With a variety of programs, there's something to match all interests. Hillel provides a platform on which students and staff work together to make Jewish life great for students in Pittsburgh.

I've been on the Hillel JUC's board since 1994. I'm now the President of the Board, and I'm so proud of how far this organization has come in the 15 years I've been active here! Hillel JUC provides a huge range of programs for students on the University campuses in Pittsburgh. But we've now reached beyond the campuses to create amazing links with the larger Pittsburgh Jewish community as well. The JUC's students are now integrated into the community as Sunday school teachers, camp counselors, tutors, babysitters, etc. Through the new "Family Ties" program students are being matched with community families. I know this is a great way for the students to have a home away from home, but it's also a great way for kids in the sponsor families to learn about college from a real college student, and about how to be a proud, connected Jewish young adult. Hillel JUC is also launching a program called "Hometown Pittsburgh," designed to help graduating students create excellent resumes, learn interviewing skills, and find their first internships/jobs in Pittsburgh. Hopefully this will give them what they need to stay in Pittsburgh after graduation.

I've been a proud supporter of this organization since its renaissance in the beautiful and welcoming new building situated between Pitt and CMU. The presence of the Hillel JUC in Pittsburgh has made a huge difference in Jewish life on our campuses. Students are now choosing Pittsburgh universities because such a great Hillel exists here. They are finding Jewish friends and meeting Jewish families. It's a win for the students and for Jewish continuity in Pittsburgh.

The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh has been an unmeasurable help to my organization, Panthers 4 Israel, and to me as a student leader. There's always someone around to lend a hand with programming, offer support, or just lend an ear when the pressures of running an organization begin to get to me. As a freshman, I went to Hillel JUC in search of Jewish community, and I found it. Now, as a student leader, I go there as a member of the community, knowing that there's always a welcoming vibe by both the people and the building, and a distinctly helpful can-do attitude.

Hillel JUC has afforded me countless opportunities to better myself for the present and the future. I served on the Hillel Student Executive Board for two years, one as Business Manager and one as Vice President. This experience was rewarding because it allowed me to develop many useful skills. I had to work efficiently and effectively with fellow board members, cater to our excited constituency, and handle countless responsibilities. The experience I gained on Hillel Board will serve me well as I move on and look to gain employment in the "real world." I have also been a member of the Hillel JUC-sponsored a cappella group, The Vokols, for my four years here. I have been able to perform at countless events, and have enjoyed enriching my life with music while spending many fun hours with the rest of the group. On a more casual note, I have attended Friday night services and dinner just about every week, and it was at Hillel that I met the majority of my closest college friends, including those who would recruit me into the fraternity of which I am currently a content member. Without the Hillel JUC, my professional, recreational, and social lives at Pitt would be completely different, and probably not as great.

I grew up in a very tight knit Jewish community with a strong support network constantly there to help me whenever I needed it. When I came to college I didn't know a single person on campus and the first place I went was Hillel. The staff there treated me like family and helped me find activities and organizations that would fit my personality and needs. When I mentioned my interest in music, Hillel helped me and three other girls start an a capella group and have been beyond supportive in every new endeavor we undertake. The organization offers me the help I need and the opportunity to interact with Jews on campus as well with members of the community at large. Hillel organizes itself around the needs of the students and I couldn't imagine my college experience without it.

During most of High school, most of my extra curricular activities had to do with Judaism. I tutored B'nai Mitzvah students, I sang in a small High Holiday Ensemble, I was involved in my USY chapter, and many more "Jewish-orientated" activities. I found that when I was filling out applications for college that every job, community and volunteer experience was somehow related to Judaism. I wouldn't say that it necessarily bothered me, but when I came to Pitt, I sort of told myself that I was going to "stay away from Hillel" and try to become involved in other things...try to be a little more diverse. Within the first week, I auditioned and was accepted into The VoKols (Hillel's a cappella group) and attended Shabbat services and dinner. It was within that very first week of school that I realized that Hillel was a place that I was not going to be able to stay away from. I am involved in other activities, like I hoped to be, but Hillel has been such a positive and important part of college experience thus far. I have met great friends, found a few jobs and feel so lucky to have this active and warm community on our campus.

Unlike other Hillels, JUC does not simply serve college students. With its high school and young adult programming, Hillel JUC now truly serves a wide, incredibly vulnerable swath of Pittsburgh's Jewish community. Its close relationships with local synagogues and organizations allow its staff to provide programs and services that far surpass other Hillels, whose focus may be limited to their respective campuses. I cannot emphasize enough the profound impact Hillel JUC has on Pittsburgh's Jewish community, or how grateful we are that its staff is so dedicated to Pittsburgh as a whole.

I worked in planning and funding with Hillel JUC and had an opportunity to meet regularly with the Director and President. Hillel JUC is an amazing organization. It is wonderful to walk through the building to see all of the student run programss and to feel the buzz of energy that exists there. JUC provides great resources to students. The activities that are run inside and outside of the building are wonderful, spanning across universities and religous affiliations. Hillel JUC has been recognized nationally and by several of the universities that they serve as a top notch organization. Most telling is a Friday night at the building when three different services are going on and dinner is filled to capacity and beyond!

When I first came to Pittsburgh I had just finished a gap year in Israel and I was worried that I would not find the type of Jewish Community I had grown to need. However, over the past 4 years, hillel JUC has been the most invaluable Jewish resource i have encountered. Whether it was finding me opportunities to go back to Israel for free or finding me jobs with in the Pittsburgh community, hillel has guided me through.

My involvement with the Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh has undoubtedly been the most important and rewarding part of my Jewish life thus far. Throughout middle school and high school, I separated myself from Jewish youth groups, Sunday School, and Hebrew school and preferred to get involved in what my non-Jewish friends were doing. When I came to the University of Pittsburgh, I wasn't necessarily searching for a "Jewish" experience, I was searching for a home away from home. This is exactly what I found at Hillel. During my freshmen year, Hillel helped me flourish into a successful and very happy Jewish student. The other students and amazing staff encouraged my Jewish learning and helped me form an a cappella group, the VoKols. For the first time in my life, I attended Shabbat services regularly, participated in debates about Israel, and had a majority of Jewish friends. I am now a senior and I owe so much to the Hillel JUC and Staff. As the current student board President at Pitt, I work very closely with the fantastic staff and lay board members to make the organization even better every day. I am so proud of every one of our programs - from J'Burgh, to the VoKols, to Challah for Hunger - Hillel has something for everyone.

I have had a great experience being a board member of Hillel JUC for 3+ years. It is an organization that provides great programming and incredible services to its students. It has a wondeful and committed staff that I have enjoyed interacting with and I believe that other boards and organizations should look to Hillel JUC as a model for success.

My first experience as a new Board member was greeting parents and students at move in day in the parking lots at CMU this fall. It was so gratifying to see how excited parents and students were to be connected to a Jewish setting away from home. I expected the brunch to be not well attended, but was amazed at the steady flow of people - the shy freshman slowly opening up to the more senior students adn the parents interacting with staff and Board members. Parents were grateful to know there would be a connection for the students and a safe place for parents to get help for a sick child or with any other need they may have. The reunion among the older students was what every parent would hope for - smiling faces, non-stop chatter. This experience was followed by attendance at Friday night Shabbat dinner several weeks later. Again, a packed room with student led prayers, invites to social events and healthy exchanges between the students. I just tried to take it all in - watching the youth who are our future come together out of a common bond of being Jewish regardless of how observant. I can't think of a better gift to a Jewish college student than a membership to Hillel and pre-paid Shabbat dinner attendance. Oh, and then there is Family Ties---I have adopted a junior at Pitt to be my "son" while he is away from home. What a great experience. Another way for me to learn about Hillel JUC and to connect my son to this great organization. Influencing one life at a time is what this Hillel JUC village does so well. The Hillel JUC is so much more and I look forward to all the new experiences I will have as a Board member - all of which I will pass along to my high school senior in the hope that he too will find his way to a Hillel JUC at the college he attends, wherever that turns out to be.

Hillel has been an important part of my college experience. The staff is amazing and I always enjoy myself at shabbat meals. It really is a second home to not only me, but students that come to Pitt from afar. I have always felt welcomed!

Hillel was such an important part of my Jewish experience. Having the opportunity to spend time with other Jewish students engaged in Jewish activities has given me a stronger Jewish identity.

I attended University of Pittsburgh as an Undergraduate. As everyone does in college, I evolved tremendously during my time in school. Although many things were constantly changing around me and with me, Hillel was always a consistent and important part of my experience at the University of Pittsburgh. The Hillel JUC offered me opportunities for everything from professional development to finding babysitting jobs! I have very fond memories of my time in Pittsburgh and they are due in large part to the Hillel JUC.

Going to Hillel JUC was one of the best parts of my college experience. The staff is absolutely wonderful, and it was just a great place to go to get to know other Jewish students in a fun setting that was close to campus. I definitely felt closer to Judaism because of Hillel, where I led services on Friday night. I made and cemented some of my best friendships at Hillel. Hillel was a great place to go between classes, whether to try to interrupt the staff while they were working hard, or to write papers on the computers, or even just to hang out in the cafe eating Bamba. There was always a place for me in Hillel, and I was always greeted with a smile. Friday night dinners were one of the very best parts of Hillel. Being able to have a free meal while being a student on a budget, along with having that meal with people I loved, in a place I adored and made me feel more Jewish was more than I could hope for. In the summer of 2005, Aaron Weil, the director of Hillel JUC, sent me an email about a program with the Hillel in Uruguay studying Spanish for a month. Aaron knew that I was interested in South America, and thought of me immediately. The program brought students from Hillels in America to the Hillel in Uruguay. Little did I know, that's where I would meet mu husband. He was involved with Hillel in Uruguay, and the rest is history. I owe a lot to the Hillel JUC, and I hope that future students get the same opportunities that I was given.

I think that the Hillel JUC is one of the finest organizations in all of Pittsburgh. It is uniquely positioned because of its clientelle and excellent performance to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals as they connect with the Jewish community.

I became involved with the Hillel JUC as a freshman in college. I found it to be an environment that was warm and welcoming. The building became my second home, and the staff my second family. The weekly Friday Shabbat services and dinners were my favorite part of the week. It was a chance for a good meal and to be surrounded friends and community members. It allowed me to connect with the larger Pittsburgh Jewish community and meet mentors. Some of the specific aspects I was involved in include freshmen orientation, social justice programming, and volunteering for Hillel's annual fundraiser. Through these experiences I saw firsthand the impact of Hillel on Pitt's campus, and on the students that it touches. It is a leader of social justice events on campus, and often cosponsors events on important issues such as Darfur.

amazing resource to the community! trips, activities, learning, guidance, advice. Staff is always there to help no matter what is going on in your life

I worked with this organization during my first year out of college. It was my first job and I couldn't have asked for a better first job. I was in charge of Freshman outreach. I was supposed to tell students about Hillel and Jewish Life at Pitt. It was incredible. My favorite memories were walking into a packed auditorium on the third floor for Shabbat dinner! We would have over 130 people present and the vibe and excitement in the room was magical. Students now have to pay for Shabbat dinner and that just isn't right. This is a phenomenal organization it should be able to give students everything they need, and money should not be the issue.

Where do I begin? As I began college, I was encouraged by my parents to NOT get involved in Hillel. To them, Hillel was for geeks and pushed students into inflexible-excessive-religiousness. As every college freshman, I disregarded what my parents said and jumped into Hillel with both feet forward. I was a BBYO alum and was looking for the same experience in college. Hillel provided that mature youth group experience and so much more! I learned a great deal about myself, Judaism (both religiously and culturally), Israel, the world, and life through my involvement with the JUC. I was lucky enough to be involved as a student board member, a student intern, a member on the Board of Directors, a volunteer, and a member of a family. The experience I had at Hillel was incomparable! Friends of mine at other universities certainly did not have the experience I did. I grew in so many ways and can only attribute that to what I gained while being involved in Hillel during college and also in my post-college experience. Through everything—school, family stress, friends, and other typical co-ed drama, my Hillel family supported me and encouraged me to continue to pursue my dreams. Well, here I am only slightly more observant than I was when I walked into the Hillel JUC six years ago and pursuing a Masters degree in Community Planning in an Urban Planning and Regional Studies Program. I am pursuing this degree for many reasons, but one thing I realize is that for me, community came easily at home and while I was at school because of the JUC. For many, this comfort does not come around at all. Although I am now far from the JUC of Pittsburgh, I know that my wonderful experiences have shaped who I am today and the family I formed of staff, peers, and extended community members will always be a part of my life. Oh--my parents realized they were wrong as well!

The JUC had a powerful impact on my life. It gave me the opportunity to be a leader on campus and in the community. Through event planning, fundraising, cooperation with on and off campus groups, I was exposed to a wide array of responsibilities and challenges. My time as a board member and member at large of the JUC was the most important part of my college experience. I am still friends with many of my JUC peers and learned valuable lessons which I took with me through the rest of college, law school, and now my life as a young attorney. I worked hard to make sure Jewish Student Life thrived in Pittsburgh and to offer great programming to all those who were interested and even those who were not!

Hillel JUC made my college experience. From the moment I walked through the door my freshmen year, to the day after graduation when I walked out in tears, HIllel was my home. The long lasting friendships, the educational & religious experiences, are something I will never forget. Throughout my 4 years, I was over involved in Hillel. It gave me amazing leadership experiences that have helped me in my "adult" life. I bonded with the staff, who nurtured my growth both personally and professionally. There is no way I can say enough thanks for my experience at Hillel because it was indeed one of the most defining experiences of my life.

The Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh was one of the key organizations and group of people that shaped my Jewish identity. There dedication to the Jewish student body is second to none and they have a created a community that everyone feels accepted. This stems from the 100% focus the staff has on developing and listening to what the students need. My experience with the JUC has inspired me to give back and be a role model in my local community. Any student who attends the University of Pittsburgh is extremely lucky to have a place on campus that can be their home away from home. The JUC is a special place and all the other Hillels in the country could learn a lot from how they do business.

Loved Hillel JUC! Provided me with a great college experience that incorporated Judaism into my life. I enjoyed all the social and religious programming, especially Jewish holiday celebrations and weekly Shabbat dinners.

The Hillel JUC was a vital, influential lifeline both during my college career and after. A home away from home, the staff worked endlessly and tirelessly to create a welcoming, pluralistic environment. From my first trip to Israel to my last Shabbat dinner, I grew in such ways that only the Hillel JUC made possible. Each staff member from the moment you walked in the door was there to greet you and provide you with all the support and resources needed. The Hillel JUC fosters relationships and creates leaders. I am proud to have served on the student board, to have had the privilege to contribute ideas and be given the capacity to see them through. The Hillel JUC is what all hillels strive towards but rarely accomplish: a place to explore one's culture, challenge one's identity and engage intellectually and spiritually with others. There's no better organization to facilitate and develop the future leaders of America.

As a student at Pitt, I've never found a more welcoming place than Hillel. At first, I didn't want to be involved Jewishly, but then I got to meet the staff and spend time with the students. They welcomed me into the community and I have been going back ever since. It is difficult to attend to so many students with such a small staff. I think that they need more people working there.

The Hillel JUC is a great organization that provides students with a home away from home as well as being an incredible resource for leadership and spiritual development.