June 25, 2009
3 Tammuz 5769
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well. Next week our fiscal year will be over, June 30, 2009, and we turn to you and ask that you consider making a contribution to Cleveland Hillel either by going on line Here
Or mailing a check to:
CLEVELAND HILLEL FOUNDATION INC
11291 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106
Your partnership will enable us to continue to bring quality programs to the 2500 Jewish students who attend the universities we serve and assure a brighter Jewish future. As all agencies and organizations we are affected by the downturn in the economy, so your generosity is especially appreciated.
In this report I will be highlighting:
Birthright follow up Summer Internship Program and Summer Programs Hillel Birthday Party Thank You
In my opinion an interesting perspective on our work with students can be understood from the Torah Portions we are currently reading. The portions in the Book of B'Midbar (Numbers) present us with many real life challenges of leadership. Moses seems to be constantly embattled. Sometimes the challenge seems very calculated as in this week's Torah Portion when Korach basically says I want part of the action, but there are many sincere questions as when Zelophehad's daughters ask whether they are able to get an inheritance in the Land of Israel since their father died and the daughters are his only offspring. Moses did not immediately know how to answer every question or challenge, but he was smart enough to ask the counsel of others. (Yes, I know that in his case he was able to consult Gd, but the fact is he took advantage of the opportunities he had.)
Through these tribulations Moses becomes a better leader, one with more patience and ability and he was willing to learn from others. In fact when others start to prophesize and Joshua suggests they be jailed, Moses makes one of the great statements a leader can make when he says to Joshua: (paraphrasing) Are you jealous for me? Wouldn't it be great if everyone was a prophet?
As we work with students that should be our view, wouldn't it be great if everyone took a leadership role. With your help we can continue to develop leadership opportunities so students will become more able to make a difference and make the world a better place.
My next report will be at the end of August at the conclusion of our summer programs and as the fall semester starts.
As always if you have comments or questions, please be in touch with me at 216-231-0040 or gcoleman@clevelandhillel.org
With Blessings,
Gary Coleman |
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 Cleveland Hillel's Taglit-Birthright Israel: Hillel Trip Follow-Up
As I reported last month 19 students from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and John Carroll University were in Israel on a Taglit-Birthright Israel: Hillel trip in May. One of them, Gabby Markoff, wr ote an article summarizing her thoughts on the trip. It can be viewed here along with pictures. Our plan next year is that Oberlin Hillel will have a January 2010 trip and Cleveland Metro will send a group in May 2010. |
Summer Internship Program and Summer Programs
The second summer internship program started last Friday with a one day orientation for the 31 students who are participating in the program. They all started their eight week internship work by this past Monday and even began summer social programs last night at  WhirlyBall. This is but one of many summer programs planned both for the interns and other college aged Jewish students in the Cleveland area. Other programs planned include Shabbat dinners, concerts, movie nights, picnics, and restaurant excursions. For more information on the program please contact Ilana Shafran Mandel at ishafran@clevelandhillel.org
We want to thank the Cleveland Foundation and the Strengthening and Growing Jewish Cleveland initiative of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland for their lead grants that have made this program a possibility. We also want to thank Strengthening and Growing Jewish Cleveland, the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, and Harley and Gary Gross for helping us fund 13 positions in the non profit sector. A full list of the students participating, their placements, and the schools they are attending is here. |
Hillel's 85th Birthday Party
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life culminated its 85th anniversary year on June 14, 2009 with simultaneous birthday parties held around the world. This "virtual gala" enabled Hillel alumni,  professionals, students and supporters to celebrate a milestone event in the organization's history in their own communities, without the need to travel to a distant city. All of the parties joined together in a single global teleconference featuring Hillel leadership and special guests.
In Cleveland we celebrated the birthday last night at the home of Bill and Anita Heller. Community members heard from students attending both local universities and Clevelanders attending universities across the country about the impact Hillel has on strengthening Jewish identity. Programs highlighted included the summer internship program, birthright in Israel, alternative spring breaks that serve the needy, and the way local Hillels' are able to cultivate Jewish community on campus. |
Thank You
Allison Peterson, Cleveland Metro Director of Graduate Students & Special Events, will be finishing her tenure at Cleveland Hillel at the end of the month. In the six years she has been working with graduate students Allison has successfully made our graduate program one of Hillel's best in the country. We wish Allison continued success as she moves to the next phase of her life. Our expectation is that the work we do with graduate and professional students will continue to expand as we serve their needs through both ongoing programs and innovative ideas. |
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