Hillel at the University of Washington
Hillel at the University of Washington is an affiliate organization of Hillel International. Hillel International, founded in 1923, is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world and is represented globally at more than 850 colleges, universities, and communities.
During the spring of 1941, Hillel UW hired its first rabbi, rented a house just up the street from our current location and hosted its first Passover lunches. In 1958, Rabbi Arthur A. Jacobovitz was hired and successfully led Hillel for the next thirty years. In 1988, Rabbi Daniel E. Bridge began his tenure at Hillel UW. Under Rabbi Bridge’s leadership, Hillel UW expanded physically into its current building after a community-wide capital campaign, and he remains Executive Director Emeritus. Since 2015, Amee Huppin Sherer has served as the Greenstein Family Executive Director.
Who was Hillel?
The Hillel organization takes its name from Rabbi Hillel, a second-century talmudic sage who founded the House of Hillel, a school of Jewish law. The House of Hillel was famous for the ways in which it engaged in healthy and constructive “arguments for the sake of heaven” — mahloket l’shem shamayim – especially with the House of Shammai, another school of Jewish law.
The approach demonstrated by the House of Hillel was people-centered, respectful, and motivated by what was best for all, not just for the sake of winning or gaining honor. The House of Hillel sought to understand the perspectives of those with whom they did not agree, and recognized opposing views to also be “the words of a living God” (Talmud, Eruvin 13b).
This people-centered, relational approach is one that Hillel UW aspires to as it engages all kinds of Jewish students.
Hillel UW: All Kinds of Jewish
Hillel UW welcomes all kinds of Jewish students, as well as students who do not identify as Jewish who wish to learn more about Judaism and be part of the Hillel UW community. In 2023-2024, Hillel UW engaged with hundreds of UW undergraduates who identify as Jewish at the University of Washington. That said, Hillel UW does not claim to speak for all Jewish students at the University of Washington.
Relationship to the University of Washington
Hillel UW is not an academic department at the University of Washington. Hillel UW does not fundraise for, or contribute financially to, the University of Washington. Hillel UW staff are not employees of the University of Washington. Hillel UW staff do not presently teach at the University of Washington. Hillel UW does not receive funding or grants from the University of Washington. Hillel UW operates as a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Hillel UW is not housed by the University of Washington; Hillel UW’s privately owned building is located off campus, two blocks north of the main entrance to the University of Washington.
Relationship to University of Washington faculty and staff
Hillel UW welcomes, engages, and provides social, communal, and educational experiences for all kinds of Jewish students at the University of Washington. To that end, Hillel UW engages with UW staff, faculty, and administrators to help support experiences and opportunities for such connections.
Hillel UW also currently offers quarterly social gatherings for University of Washington staff and faculty members who identify as Jewish.
Relationships to other universities in Washington state
Hillel UW may provide support as requested by students and staff at other universities in Washington state that do not have a Jewish campus professional, but at present it is not Hillel UW’s mandate to serve those campuses.
Organizational partnerships
Hillel UW appreciates the opportunity to partner with other organizations and does so often.
As is the case for any private organization, Hillel UW reserves the right to limit partnerships with organizations that do not align with Hillel UW’s values and to abstain from co-sponsoring programs or speakers whose message counters Hillel UW’s mission and partnership guidelines.
Relationship to Israel
Hillel UW strives to create a community where students with multiple perspectives discuss matters of interest and/or concern about Israel in a respectful and civil manner. Robust and healthy discourse about and criticism of Israel’s policies and government are welcome.
Any individual student is welcome to participate at Hillel UW regardless of their views on Israel and/or Zionism. Labeling, excluding, or harassing any students for their beliefs and expressions thereof is not tolerated.
That said, as stated above, Hillel UW reserves the right to limit partnerships with organizations that do not align with its values. Therefore, Hillel UW does not partner with organizations that deny the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish and democratic state with secure and recognized borders, or with organizations that support boycott of, divestment from, or sanctions against Israel.
The overarching value of these policies is to support conversation between people, while not condoning policies or co-sponsoring with organizations that refute Israel’s right to exist.
Hillel UW is committed to inspiring students and young adults to explore, embrace, and celebrate Jewish life and identity so they may enrich and strengthen the Jewish community and the world in meaningful ways throughout their lives.
