Hillel members promote Jewish life rennaissance

Author: Thomas Brant and Joseph Bergan

"That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."

These words of Hillel the Elder, a famous Jewish religious leader who lived in Jerusalem during the time of King Herod and Augustus, form one of the most basic religious teachings in the world. Christians know it as the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you woul have them do unto you."

More than two millennia after his death, Hillel's name - and his words - are used as the namesake and mission of the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Middlebury's Hillel chapter is one of more than 500 at colleges and universities worldwide working to enrich the lives of Jewish students and provoke a renaissance of Jewish life, according to Hillel's web site.

Mimi Micner '10, a Hillel board member, explained why the group is popular among many Jewish students.

"I knew that when I was away from my family during the holidays there was somewhere I could go to feel at home," said Micner. She said that the main role of Hillel is providing Shabbat services on Friday evenings, which are open to both Jewish and non-Jewish students.

"We're totally open to anyone at these services. We often have at least some non-Jewish students show up," she said.

In addition to the weekly services, Hillel organizes a few all-campus events every year. One of these is an "apples and honey" feast, held every year during Rosh Hashannah. Apples and honey are a tradtional dish of the Jewish New Year.

The group also organizes a Bar Mitzvah party each October, and Micner sets up various community service events, including an alternative spring break trip, a Relay for Life team and volunteer groups at the Vemont Food Bank.

The eight-member Hillel board is led by co-presidents Steve Gordon '08 and Michael Winter '08.