KU Hillel's Core Components
KU Hillel focuses programming on 13 core areas:
Shabbat
We celebrate Shabbat each week with Reform and Conservative minyanim and as always, FREE dinner after services. We also hold various "themed" Shabbats throughout the year, including Israel Shabbat, Rock Chalk Shabbat (enormous Shabbat celebration with over 400 people), Dan Nichols Shabbat, Rick Recht Shabbat (two Jewish songleaders who lead services) and others. Students are also able to hold Shabbat in their houses, dorms and apartments each week with help from Hillel if they need it.
Tzedek
KU Hillel was accepted into a pilot Tzedek program through the International Hillel Center this year. We will be holding a 10 week Tzedek seminar, focusing on contemporary issues of social justice through a Jewish lens. Additionally, we send 8-10 students on an Alternative Spring Break trip, last year travelling to Gulfport, MS and New Orleans to rebuild houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Israel
Israel programming is widespread on campus, offering something for everyone's particular interest in Israel, including our own Birthright Israel trip in January, Israel on the Hill, Falafel on the Beach, BINA (a 10 week seminar covering Israeli politics, history and culture), Israel Shabbat, various speakers (including a visit last year by David Baker, a press secretary in then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office) and more.
Holidays
KU Hillel offers services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (partnered with the Lawrence Jewish Community Center), builds a sukkah on campus (next to the Kansas Union), lights the menorah with Latkepalooza and serves kosher lunches and dinners as well as a seder during Pesach.
Jewish Learning
Jewish Learning at KU Hillel includes "Lunch 'n' Learns" with Rabbis, Professors and other Jewish professionals from Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City as well as our first ever "Scholar-in-Residence" this year. We also sponsor Kesher and KOACH groups on campus (see below).
Freshmen
Each year, a committed group of freshmen form the FYSH (First Year Students of Hillel) Council to plan freshmen-only events, including Shabbat dinners and trips to Kansas City to see the Royals.
Arts
Our annual KU Jewish Film Series is the centerpiece of our Arts programming, featuring films, speakers and partnerships with seven other campus organizations and faculty. We also sponsor speakers on a variety of topics, including Israel, the Holocaust and more. We also sponsor an acapella group, "Sharim Netzim," which performs at a variety of campus events.
Women
Last year, a group of women emerged and started our Women's group, Ydidot. Events include a self-defense seminar, a series on healthy living and of course, Knit 'n' Bitch.
Professional Development
Our professional development programming reaches a diverse group of students. Business Leadership Advisory (BLA) offers students interested in pursuing a career in business the opportunity to network with established leaders in the Kansas City and Lawrence business community. We also offer resume building workshops and advice on interviewing with KU's Career Services office. A mentorship program is also in the works.
Maccabi (Sports)
KU Hillel sponsors teams in many of KU's intramural leagues, including basketball, ultimate frisbee and softball. Our major spring social event, Bagels and Basketball, is held at Abe and Jake's Landing downtown, to watch the Jayhawks take on either K-State or Missou at the end of the season.
Leadership
KU Hillel's Leadership Development Institute is the envy of Hillel's across the nation, featuring local and national speakers on a variety of leadership topics. Our Leadership Roundtable brings together Jewish leaders on campus, including Hillel's Student Leadership, Greek community leaders and Student Senate members. Additionally, ample opportunities exist for students to chair events and start groups.
Kesher/KOACH
Kesher, a Reform student group, and KOACH, a conservative student group, help further cultivate Jewish life on campus. Each group sponsors events throughout the year. See our Student Groups page for more details.
Social
KU Hillel holds a variety of social events throughout the year, including our kickoff event at Abe and Jake's Landing "Heatin' Up with Hillel," plus the best and only Kosher BBQ tailgate party on the Hill before the September 9 (Parents Weekend) football game and "Bagels and Basketball" in the spring.
