Super Sunday at UJA Federation of New York - Westchester
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Putting up Sukkah at Purchase College
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JCC Day of Chesed
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Israeli dancing at Klezmanukkah.
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Hillel at Purchase
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Hillels of Westchester reaches out to Westchester Community College
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Students celebrate Jewish holidays and culture.
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Lunch N' Learn with Rabbi Jeff Brown
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Purchase students "Stand with Israel."
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Israel Shabbat at Sarah Lawrence College.
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Chanukah at Pace - Pleasantville
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Purchase College Klezmer Ensemble at Klezmanukah.
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Westchester families welcome Hillel students for shabbat.
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Hebrew Home in New Rochelle
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Swimming at Ein Gedi.
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Spring break trip to New Orleans to help Katrina rebuilding.
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Shabbat dinner at Manhattanville College.
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Rabbi Bronstein presents a pre-Shavuot Lunch N' Learn "From Matzah to Cheesecake - from broken to whole."

On Wednesday May 1st, a large group of students gathered for bagels, lox and cheesecake and a discussion with Rabbi Bronstein of Congregation Bet Am Shalom. Rabbi Bronstein, a HOW board member and father of a soon-to-be college graduate, spoke about the "broken pieces" of matzah that are symbolic in the Passover seder. The connection was also made with Shavuot and Moses breaking the tablets at Sinai in anger. "We all make mistakes. Like the  broken afikomen, we all have broken pieces we carry around with us all our life. Think of your broken pieces as shards in a box that you need to acknowledge and accept. It is part of who we are." Students read text from the Torah and discussed the need to have or create a community of acceptance and support.

Meet the Hillels of Westchester Summer Birthright Staff

Our June Birthright trip will be led by Harrison NY native Jennifer Apple and our Engagement Associate Ethan Behling. Jennifer attended Ramaz and spent a year in Israel before college. She is a 2012 graduate of Muhlenberg College. Our summer bus of 40 is full.

Hillel students deliver Pesach food.

As part of the Bronx Jewish Community Council's Project HOPE initiative, Hillel students from Purchase College delivered food bags to home bound elderly in Coop City in the Bronx. The community event took place on Sunday March 17th. "I felt really great meeting older people who are so appreciative of our delivery," said one student.

Hillel students help with WJC Gala

On February 2nd, Westchester Jewish Council held its annual gala honoring Ron Burton. Students from Hillels of Westchester assisted with greeting and registering guests and also with the silent auction. The WJC Gala is one of a number of community events that Hillels of Westchester participates in. In September, students help with the JCC - Mid Westchester's "Day of Chesed." Students visit and ntertain at the Hebrew Home in New Rochelle, and also make calls on UJA Federation of New York's Super Sunday.

Hillel President, a volunteer firefighter, helps out during Hurrican Sandy

Hannah Salzberg, a co-President of Purchase Hillel followed in her father's footsteps and joined Troutbrook Engine and Hose Company, part of the Chester NY all volunteer Fire Department. During Hurricane Sandy, Hannah worked for days clearing trees from blocked streets until school reopened. Hannah credits her work as a community firefighter with making her a better Hillel leader.

Hillels of Westchester student leaders participate in Leadership Roundtable at UJA Fed. of NY.

In keeping with our commitment to leadership development with the support of the Neshamot Women's Philanthropy, Hillel student leaders from Purchase College and Manhattanville College participated in the Jewish Young Adults Leadership Summit at UJA Fed headquarters in NYC. The training took place on Sunday, October 14, 2012.

Participating from Hillels of Westchester was Hannah Salzberg and Tova Hadar from Purchase College and Greg Broas from Manhattanville College.  The "Roundtable: Emerging Student Leaders of the NY Jewish Community" brought together student activists from New York campuses to connect with other emerging student leaders, fellows, and reps from other Jewish organizations such as KOACH, active Hillels and JSUs. The eight hour program provided interactive workshops that "bridge the gap” between local communities and social services providing students with a broader understanding of the larger Jewish community. The "Bridging the Gap" program is made possible by a grant from UJA Federation of New York.

Sukkot at Westchester Community College

On Thursday October 4th Westchester Community College celebrated Sukkot with Hillels of Westchester staff Catherine Schwartz and Saul Spangenberg. Rabbi Dovid Labkowski (Chabad Briarcliff and Ossining) led blessings. Dr. Paula Rubenstein shared poems and writings by noteworthy authors. Having their own sukkah is a first for Westchester Community College. In addition to holiday celebrations, several WCC students have registered for our Taglit Birthright December trip to Israel. They will join students from Sarah Lawrence, Purchase College, Manhattanville and Pace - Pleasantville.

High Holiday Programming

Students from all of our campuses may attend High Holiday Services led by Rabbinic Intern Samantha Natov as follows:

Rosh Hashanah Evening at Purchase College

- Service at 6:30 PM September 16th in the Hillel Lounge (Campus Center North R. 0003)

- Dinner in Commuter Lounge in Campus Center North following Services. Students planning to attend the dinner should email Hillel Program Director, Catherine Schwartz, at catherine@hillelsofwestchester.org         *The cost of dinner is $5 per person

Students may also attend services for the remainder of the holidays (free) at Purchase College through the Community Synagogue of Rye (Reform) which uses the Performing Arts Center. Students need to present their More Card to attend. For their schedule please visit their website at www.comsynrye.org

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at Sarah Lawrence College

- Sunday Sept. 16th 6:30 PM Services at the Hillel lounge (CCN 0003) Purchase College followed by dinner.

- Monday Sept. 17th 10:00 AM Services in Bates Meeting Room, Bates Student Center at Sarah Lawrence College; Tashlich at 2:30 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM.

- Tuesday Sept. 25th  Dinner at 5:00 PM followed by Kol Nidre Services at 7:30 PM in the Black Squirrel, Bates Student Center at Sarah Lawrence College.

-Wednesday Sept. 26th 10:00 AM Morning Yom Kippur Services, followed by afternoon discussions and 7:00 PM Neilah Services in the Black Squirrel in Bates Student Center, Sarah Lawrence College. 

 

Other Options:

- If students drive, they can attend Hillel services at Sarah Lawrence College in Bates Hall.

- Orthodox services are also available by contacting Rabbi Matthew Hoffman at 914-481-7584.

"Exec for a Day" Enhances our Relationship with Purchase College.

On Wednesday March 28th, three Hillels of Westchester lay board members joined Exec Director Saul Spangenberg and President Martine Fleishman for our first "Exec for a Day." The two hour event included time with approximately fourteen Jew Crew students, Hillel staff and Purchase College administrators. Carolyn Schrier, Gary Trachten, and Barry Effron met with Associate Dean John Delate, Student Activities Director Jason Alt, and Food service Director Anthony Smeraglino. The conversation centered on how Hillel could enhance its relationship with alumni, prospective students, and current students. 

Hillels of Westchester consecrates its new office and lounge.

On February 21st, prior to the first lay board meeting of 2012, Hillel students, staff, and board members gathered at the entranceway of our new lounge at Purchase College. Vice President of Student Affairs, John Delate spoke to the group about the valuable partnership the college has with Hillel. Rabbi Lester Bronstein, long-time Hillels of Westchester board member and Rabbi of Congregation Bet Am Shalom in White Plains, led the blessing over the mezuzah. He explained that the hebrew word "lik'boah" (to affix) refers to the idea "to make permanent." College students live in dormitories, their temporary home. By affixing the mezuzah, we create a kind of permanent home for our students. Mazel Tov!

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