Hillel of Northern Nevada serves as a supportive community for students at the University of Nevada, Reno, facilitating connections rooted in culture and religion.
Transitioning to college often means students leave behind their homes, families, and familiar support systems.
“Hillel of Northern Nevada allows students to be together, rooted in a familiar culture and religion. Whether it’s for a holiday celebration or simply to laugh and enjoy each other’s company,” stated Hannah Alterwitz, director of Hillel of Northern Nevada.
The organization is part of Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization globally, and hosts various events yearly. These include social activities like ice skating and mini golf, as well as religious and cultural celebrations for Shabbat and the High Holidays.
“Hillel serves as a place for Jewish students to belong. We are a social organization. We are a pluralistic group, meaning no matter how someone practices Judaism, they will always be welcome at Hillel,” Alterwitz added.
A notable event this semester featured a campus visit from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, where students could engage in discussions about pressing issues affecting them and their community.
“It was so impactful on the students to be able to talk openly with the Senator about the problems communities are facing every day. Students asked about ICE, AI data centers, and the rise of antisemitism across the country. To watch them have a real dialogue and come away from that conversation curious and motivated to help tackle the issues facing our country was really special,” Alterwitz remarked.
As Jewish American Heritage Month concluded in May, Hillel of Northern Nevada continues to foster community engagement throughout the year. Alterwitz encourages those interested in Jewish heritage to connect with the organization.
“I hope that if a student takes anything away from this, it’s that Hillel is a place where Jewish students and those interested in Jewish culture can come and meet some great people and have some fun! Jews are not a monolith; we have lots of different opinions and backgrounds. It is such a diverse religion, but if you like good food, good friends, and Jewish culture, Hillel has a place for you,” Alterwitz stated.
For more information about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved, interested individuals can reach out to Alterwitz directly at hannah.alterwitz@jewishnevada.org.
Source: www.unr.edu via Google News.
