We aim to bring together a diverse, pluralistic community that cultivates vibrant, resilient, and joyful Jewish life at MIT - for Jews of every denomination, every ethnicity, every nationality, every orientation.
We do our best for students when we lean into our strengths. MIT Hillel is about education: Jewish education, Israel education, drawing from our texts and our traditions. Whether in a Kol Yisrael class on Zionisms, a text study on ethics, or a Jewish Learning Fellowship cohort focused on Jewish approaches to social justice, we are committed to grounding ourselves in knowledge, stimulating critical thinking and creativity, embracing nuance and complexity, and fostering curiosity. We pursue a welcoming environment, where respectful dialogue and inclusion are the norm.
Hillel’s pluralistic approach to Judaism recognizes so much diversity within our rich tradition. An important pillar of the Hillel movement is to cultivate a meaningful, mature, and nuanced relationship and connection to Israel. For us, Zionism means an affirmation that the Jewish people have a right to self-determination in our historic homeland where we have maintained a continued presence for thousands of years. We also affirm the democratic and humanistic values upon which the modern State of Israel was founded. We uphold the rights and humanity of other peoples and recognize the complexity and challenges that our homeland faces. As a key part of our work, we help students understand and develop their own relationship with Israel, as an important part of Judaism and their Jewish lives. We do not require any student who participates with Hillel to hold our same set of values; we welcome hard conversations and diverse opinions in good faith.
We will not allow antisemitism – or responding to antisemitism – to be what defines Jewish life at MIT. Hillel’s work is to foster long-term Jewish identity and to inspire enduring commitments to Jewish life, learning, klal Yisrael/Jewish peoplehood, and Israel. A colleague of mine challenged this summer, can we – each of us, on and off campus – change how we respond to reports of antisemitism by asking, “What opportunities might this moment offer? How can I support Jewish students in their thirst to grow as Jews?”
We know that students can only learn, grow, and become their best selves when their basic needs are met. We will continue to work with campus and off-campus partners to ensure a safe and secure environment, where all students can thrive physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Especially in this time when increased antisemitism threatens to undermine Jewish and Israeli identity and heritage, we respond by instilling and promoting Jewish pride, and by promoting communal unity. We know and embrace the power of Jewish peoplehood. MIT Hillel will continue to forge partnerships with allies, including students, faculty, and the administration, in the fight against hate and for a positive campus climate. We are already seeing the fruits of this work. When, during Orientation, anti-Zionist groups promoted antisemitic websites, the Administration quickly and clearly responded.
Just as we did all last year and during this Orientation Week, we remain steadfast in our commitment to support and advocate for students within the MIT community. We will be there for students when they need caring professionals and a caring community. We will educate the broader campus community about Jewish identity, the deep Jewish ties to Israel, and the roots of antisemitism. And we will ensure that students can attend classes and participate in campus life free from harassment, intimidation, and disruption of activities.
My promise to our students and to our stakeholders is that -- despite the challenges we anticipate in the coming year -- Hillel will continue to lean into our mission to:
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build authentic relationships and communities grounded in respect;
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develop a passion for Jewish literacy, knowledge, and wisdom, in order that students may have nuanced and informed opinions on topics that affect Jews and the Jewish people; and
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encourage students to explore and see the joy of different approaches to Jewish rituals and traditions, and inspire students to integrate Jewish practices into their lives.
Even before the school year unfolds, I say thank you to those who embrace and aspire to these same goals and values, and who assist us in this holy work. Together, we return to campus strong, grounded, and ready to rise to the coming year.
L’shana tova,