HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE AT THE PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

ENGAGEMENT AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES: PENN STATE HILLEL PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT CONNECT JEWISH STUDENTS WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WITH JEWISH LIFE ON CAMPUS. THROUGH SOCIAL PROGRAMS, LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, WELLNESS INITIATIVES, CULTURAL EVENTS, AND PEER-LED GATHERINGS, STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPLORE THEIR JEWISH IDENTITY IN WAYS THAT FEEL MEANINGFUL AND ACCESSIBLE. STUDENT LEADERS PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE IN SHAPING PROGRAMMING AND FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE, PLURALISTIC COMMUNITY THAT WELCOMES STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND LEVELS OF JEWISH EXPERIENCE. THESE INITIATIVES HELP CREATE A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY AMONG JEWISH STUDENTS AT PENN STATE WHILE SUPPORTING THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND CONNECTION TO JEWISH LIFE. IN ADDITION, PENN STATE HILLEL FACILITATES IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO ISRAEL AND OTHER LOCATIONS ABROAD. THROUGH ORGANIZED TRIPS, STUDENTS ENGAGE WITH HISTORICAL SITES, MEET WITH PEERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND PARTICIPATE IN GUIDED DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IDENTITY, CULTURE, AND GLOBAL JEWISH PEOPLEHOOD. THESE EXPERIENCES ARE DESIGNED TO DEEPEN STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF ISRAEL AND JEWISH CULTURE ABROAD AND STRENGTHEN THEIR CONNECTION TO JEWISH HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY. PARTICIPANTS RETURN TO CAMPUS WITH A GREATER SENSE OF DIFFERENT JEWISH COMMUNITIES INCLUDING THOSE IN ISRAEL AND CURACAO AND INCREASED ENGAGEMENT IN JEWISH LIFE, HELPING TO BUILD A MORE VIBRANT AND CONNECTED JEWISH STUDENT COMMUNITY.

PENN STATE HILLEL PROVIDES REGULAR SHABBAT AND JEWISH HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS THAT SERVE AS CENTRAL PILLARS OF JEWISH STUDENT LIFE ON CAMPUS. EACH WEEK DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR, STUDENTS COME TOGETHER FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AND DINNERS. THESE EXPERIENCES ARE WELCOMING AND PLURALISTIC, ENABLING STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE JEWISH BACKGROUNDS AND LEVELS OF OBSERVANCE TO PARTICIPATE MEANINGFULLY IN JEWISH RITUAL AND COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO WEEKLY SHABBAT PROGRAMMING, PENN STATE HILLEL HOSTS CELEBRATIONS FOR JEWISH HOLIDAYS INCLUDING ROSH HASHANAH, YOM KIPPUR, SUKKOT, HANUKKAH, PASSOVER, AND PURIM. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH ACCESS TO JEWISH TRADITION, LEARNING, AND COMMUNITY, OFTEN INCORPORATING STUDENT-LED SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS, AND FESTIVE MEALS. THROUGH THESE GATHERINGS, PENN STATE HILLEL FOSTERS A VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE JEWISH COMMUNITY, HELPING STUDENTS STRENGTHEN THEIR JEWISH IDENTITY, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS.