Cultivating Jewish Life on Campus and in the Community

Transcription

1 Cultivating Jewish Life on Campus and in the Community Assuring a stronger Jewish future by investing in Jewish year olds Updated January 2015

2 Invest in Jewish Continuity and Community The Cleveland Hillel Foundation (CHF), established in 1947, currently provides resources to a vibrant Jewish community for more than 2,500 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students attending 11 colleges and universities in the Cleveland area. We offer 725+ programs at Case Western Reserve University, Oberlin College, Cleveland State University, and John Carroll University. We also reach out to students at Baldwin- Wallace University, Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cuyahoga Community College, Lakeland Community College, Notre Dame College, and Ursuline College. In addition, we work with students and their peers year round through our Summer Internship Program for rising juniors and seniors and JCLE, an initiative that connects graduate students and young professionals to their peers living and working in Cleveland. Cleveland Hillel is embarking on the renovation and renewal of an existing campus building which, in in the 2015/2016 academic year, will be the new home of Cleveland Hillel. The Norma and Albert Geller Hillel Student Center at Case Western Reserve University will provide the flexible space needed to continue our programming as well as welcome one of the largest Jewish freshman classes at CWRU in more than 40 years. It will be situated directly on Euclid Avenue, the gateway to the burgeoning Uptown neighborhood. It will also house three classrooms which will be utilized by the Department of Arts and Sciences at CWRU during the day. The new student center will be a connection between Jewish life on campus and the rest of University life. We are committed to cultivating Jewish life on campus and in the community. We do this by delivering a wide variety of cultural, educational, religious, and social programs, building relationships, providing connections to Israel, supporting a pluralistic Jewish community, and offering leadership training. By creating a wide variety of opportunities, we ensure that every Jewish student has the chance to connect to their Jewish identity while interacting with the Jewish community on campus. As a home away from home we foster rewarding relationships with a warm and open atmosphere through peer to peer outreach and meaningful engagement with staff. We contribute to the campus experience for these young adults by reaching hundreds of Jewish students weekly. We also prepare and enable Jewish students and young professionals to enrich the world as we fulfill our mission: to engage and empower Jewish young adults through exceptional programming and experiences that nurture active Jewish life on and off campus, in the Cleveland Jewish community. Cleveland Hillel impacts the Cleveland Jewish community through two additional projects that encourage Jewish young adults to live in, and enhance, our local community. Our programming targets the critical age range in which young adults make commitments to their future location. We focus on making our community more appealing not only to current Jewish students, but also to their peers. JCLE is an initiative that creates a vibrant scene with social programming, sporting events, and civic engagement opportunities that connect Jewish year olds living in Cleveland to one another and the community. Over 1,800 twenty somethings are on the JCLE contact list. More than 1,200 attend our 50+ events yearly. The Summer Internship Program matches Jewish undergraduates in Cleveland for the summer with paid professional internships. Interns work for 10 weeks and the Program also offers exploration of Cleveland, professional development programs and social programming. There are now 292 alumni of the Program since it began in the summer of Of those, 31% returned to Cleveland to live and work for at least one year.

3 Join our Partners Circle and Invest in the Jewish Future. Pillar $10,000+ Builder $5000-$9,999 Patron $2,500-$4,999 Benefactor $1,000-$2,499 Booster $500-$999 Friend $180-$499 Cleveland Hillel has grown in its outreach, scope, and programming for Jewish young adults age The impact on Jewish continuity and strengthening Jewish Cleveland can only be sustained with continued and increased donations to fund programs and initiatives. General Unrestricted Support General unrestricted support enables Cleveland Hillel Foundation to keep our doors open and utilize a variety of approches to engage young adults to strengthen their commitment to their Jewish identity, the Jewish community and Cleveland. There is something to offer every student attending the 11 campuses we serve. We offer a wide variety of cultural, educational, leadership, religious, and social programs, as well as educational and personal experiences related to Israel. Additionally Cleveland Hillel s student center (where students can drop in and connect) and our outreach efforts, help to establish meaningful relationships with peers and role models. Restricted Support Donations and Grants can be designated for a specific area of our work, such as for a specific campus or project or program. Some designated gifts include sponsorships or special recognition. Examples of our highest priority needs follow in this document. Restricted donations are $750+. Rennaissance Society Renaissance Society members provide a strong foundation for the future of Cleveland Hillel in two posible ways. Renaissance donors can make a five year commitment of $1000 or more. Renaissance Donors can also provide for an endowment or provision for a legacy donation. Our Annual Report illustrates how your donation is put to work. We leverage and maximize donations through an efficient staff, strict budget controls and the dedication of our volunteer board of directors and student leadership. More information is available at For more information or to discuss any of these areas further please contact: Alexis Edelman, Development Director at or aedelman@clevelandhillel.org

4 Below are some of the many 2014 highlights: General Cleveland Hillel Foundation 2014 Fact Sheet 725+ programs were offered at all of our campuses! 2,500+ undergraduate, graduate students and young professionals were served. 11 campuses (Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, John Carroll University, Oberlin College, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, Ursuline College, Notre Dame College, Baldwin-Wallace University, Cuyahoga Community College and Lakeland Community College) took part in Hillel programming. Undergraduate 5,200+ student meals were served during Shabbat services and dinners! 65 students participated in our 2 Seders and we served an additional 14 lunch and dinner meals during the week of Passover students attended High Holiday services and meals students built and decorated 4 Succahs at CWRU, CSU, John Carroll and Oberlin. 20+ students at CWRU and surrounding schools enjoy Soup s On at lunchtime every Monday students participated in the new Hillel program at John Carroll University. 22 parents of CWRU students joined our new Parent Partners Program during the fall semester. 20 student leaders serve on the Hillel Undergraduate Leadership Council (HULC) which offers student leadership opportunities. 18+ students went on a free trip to Israel through Taglit-Birthright Israel. JCLE 1,800+ JCLE graduate students and young professionals are reached annually. 1,200+ graduate students and young professionals participated in our events. 50+ social, cultural and community events were offered through the program. Summer Internship Program 290+ SIP students were placed with employers during 7 years. 31% return to Cleveland to live and work for at least one year. 44 different colleges and universities were represented in our applicant pool. 35+ employers representing 18+ different industries participated in the program. Community Events 90 people attended Hillel s Campus Super Stars Competition (held at Nighttown) in April of people, including students, faculty, alumni and community professionals, attended our Secrets to Success event in November of 2014.

5 Shabbat and Jewish Holiday Celebrations: Services and Meals Annually, we provide more than 5,200 meals to students. Sponsorships for these services and dinners can range from $750 to $12,000. Shabbat Throughout the academic year, Cleveland Hillel hosts Shabbat dinners and Jewish holiday meals at our Student Center in University Circle. Students from any of the campuses we serve are welcome to attend. Shabbat services are planned by staff and students, and are led by students. After dinner, students often relax in our student lounge or game room. Each Shabbat gives Jewish students a chance to relax in an inclusive setting and socialize with Jewish students. During services, our staff members promote Jewish engagement with students by getting to know them and offering support. They also tell students about additional Jewish activities that are sponsored by Hillel and the Jewish community. Cleveland Hillel also organizes Shabbat and holiday meals for Jewish graduate students. The law and/or medical students get together on their own, or are joined by JCLE participants. A Shabbat meal is held at the home of a commuter student or community member approximately 2 times per month. 1 semester of Shabbat dinners at Cleveland Hillel Student Center $12,000 1 semester of Shabbat dinners in the community $4,000 (graduate and/or commuter students) 1 Shabbat dinner at Cleveland Hillel Student Center $750 High Holiday Observances Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the first opportunities for Jewish students to come together to observe, celebrate and connect with each other, as well as Hillel. Sponsorship of Professional leader to conduct services $3,600 Sponsorship of Yom Kippur dinners (before Kol Nidre & Break-Fast)I $2,500 Sponsorship for Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner $2,000 Sukkot and Pesach Meals During Sukkot, Cleveland Hillel erects a large succah next to our building and hosts lunch during the intermediate days of the festival. We also bring a portable succah to other campuses. Passover Seders and meals on intermediate days are held at Hillel. Two Passover Seders (observance and dinner)i $3,600 Meals during intermediate days of Passover $2,500 Meals in the Sukkah during Intermediate days of Sukkot $1,000 Hillel at Oberlin College partners with the Kosher Halal co op to host Shabbat and Jewish Holiday dinners.

6 Campus-Wide Special Events Sponsorships for these events can range from $2,000 to $10,000. Sponsors are recognized in public relation materials for these events. Campus events attract large and diverse participation by students, and often include faculty, administrators, and the general community as well. Cleveland Hillel has successfully partnered with several campus groups as co-hosts for past major events. These occasions give Hillel a tremendous amount of visibility on campus, which builds interest among students for future participation. Welcome Days and Study Overs The beginning of each academic year is a critical time for Hillel to welcome students and encourage them to come to future Hillel-sponsored events. During orientations and over the first two weeks of the academic year, a series of events are planned for new and returning students at Oberlin, CWRU, CSU and JCU. Interaction during this period of time gives staff a sense of the interests of that year s student body while providing fun activities like barbeques, ice cream socials, resident hall activities, craft projects, open house at Hillel, and tabling during student organization days. Additionally, promotional materials and gifts are distributed to students. Many colleges now host Study Overs to provide a safe and constructive break for students studying during finals of each semester. All kinds of entertainment and food vendors are present. Cleveland Hillel is one of few student groups that have a booth for Study Over and provide an activity, such as picture frame decorating or potting plants. This is an excellent chance for Hillel to be visible and engage students that may not have attended a Hillel event. Hanukkah Celebrations Students mark the week-long celebration of Hanukkah with major gatherings in public areas on campus, and many smaller celebrations in private campus areas. The celebration gives us a chance to reach many students who identify with this holiday, but have never celebrated it at Hillel. The celebration often occurs around exam time, so students who are studying together can again receive a break from the pressure of their tests. Hanukkah candle lighting takes place while traditional holiday foods are distributed across campus. Israel Independence Day Kick-off Event & Celebration Week This event can feature a top Israeli music or artistic performance, such as Ivri Lider (Singer of the Year from Israel). A special venue, technology support, publicity and significant staff time is required. The Yom Ha azmauot kick off event is followed by a week of smaller celebrations and engagement activities centered on Israel. Speakers Well-known speakers presenting at campus-wide events often bring attention and depth to critical issues of interest to the campus Jewish community. Speakers who present at Hillel attract immense attention, promote our organization and can enable us to partner with other student or community groups. When we hosted Mayim Bialik (star of the Big Bang Theory ), her powerful message about her Jewish journey was delivered to 600+ students, student leaders and community members.

7 Summer Internship Program (SIP) Sponsorships for this program can range from $500 to $10,000. Jewish college students throughout the nation who are entering their junior or senior year of college are eligible for the Cleveland Hillel Summer Internship Program. Interns work five days a week at their paid internship placements. They also attend approximately 32 hours of programming with Hillel on a few select days and evenings during the summer. During these immersion days we expose interns to social, professional and cultural activities. They participate in professional development seminars, exclusive excursions around Cleveland, and opportunities to interact with guest speakers and community leaders. Students choose their top internship employers from a variety of local businesses, non-profits and fields. Resumes are forwarded to these employers, and the employers make the ultimate hiring decision. Once employment has been secured, the student will be considered an official participant of the SIP. The five priority outcomes we achieve with this project are: a) providing meaningful career related work experiences through paid internships for rising juniors and seniors, b) growing the capacity of local businesses and organizations to conduct short-term projects, c) stimulating interest in career and life in the Cleveland area while exposing interns to the Cleveland Jewish community, d) working with other community resources to help program alumni find work in Cleveland upon graduation, and e) continue to aid our alumni with ongoing communication that includes job coaching, networking, and social events. To date, 292 interns have been placed at internships. 31% of the S.I.P. alumni have returned to Cleveland to live and work for at least one year. 44 different universities and colleges were represented in our 2014 applicant pool. 36 different employers representing 18 unique industries host interns each summer. The SIP offered me my first experience in a "real-life" business environment. I had a great experience interacting with professionals, and l learned more than I could have ever imagined about the aspects of a business. I also learned a lot of new things about the city of Cleveland, and had a great summer. Lisa Nelson, The Ohio State University, Class of 2014 The SIP provided me the opportunity to secure an incredible internship. As a result of my experience, I have developed a much clearer sense of career direction. Additionally, I have begun to build a professional network, which is an invaluable resource. I truly appreciate that Hillel has facilitated such a rewarding summer experience. Sara Desberg, University of North Carolina, Class of 2014 You can support the SIP through these sponsorships: General support of the Summer Internship Program $10,000 Support of the S.I.P. placement process $5,000 Social summer programming for undergraduates $2,500 1 Cleveland immersion seminar $1,500 S.I.P. Alumni engagement, job networking and coaching $1,000 Transportation sponsorship $1,000 Speaker sponsorship $500

8 JCLE (Graduate Students and Young Professionals ages 21-29) Sponsorships for this program can range from $1,000 to $10,000. JCLE (Jewish Cleveland) is an initiative of the Cleveland Hillel Foundation that creates adventurous, engaging and unique social events for Jewish young professionals (ages 21-29) living in Cleveland. JCLE brings the significant number of Jewish graduate students studying in the city together with their Jewish peers who are working here. JCLE is transforming the social scene for this age group and is changing the attitude of Jewish young professionals about returning or staying in Cleveland after college. Many Jewish adults who are years old come to a point in their lives where they seek to socialize with their peers in large groups. JCLE provides events and activities that frequently appeal to this demographic. The program provides opportunities for graduate students and young professionals to meet each other, connect with the Jewish community in Cleveland, and see this city as a great place to live, work and play. JCLE has no denominational boundaries. It can reach across synagogues or organizational lines, and events are co-sponsored with other groups when appropriate. The JCLE program director works with JCLE participants, who represent a diverse cross section of their age group, to organize events which include happy hours and social gatherings at popular venues, sporting activities like bowling and baseball games, Shabbat dinners and holiday activities, and volunteer opportunities. Educational and professional programs along with networking opportunities are also planned for graduate students. A committee of lay leaders from the Cleveland Hillel Foundation focuses on sustainability strategies. Since 2010, the Facebook likes on JCLE s page has grown from 60 to 1,037. The number of individuals on the distribution list has grown from 600 to 1,800. JCLE hosts more than 54 programs a year that bring in over 1,200 participants. About 110 young professionals are present at an average event. At a large event, there could be 200 or more young professionals present. "JCLE is great way to hang out with all your friends and meet new ones. Cleveland is fast becoming a hot spot for young professionals because of programs like JCLE." Adam Rosen, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP "When I moved to Cleveland 3 years ago, I didn't know anyone my age. I am grateful to JCLE for giving me the opportunity to meet new people and to build meaningful friendships. While JCLE continues to introduce exciting new events every year, I most look forward to the annual Masquerade and Jooze Cruise. These events are always fun and get better every year! I look forward to attending more JCLE events in the future and can't wait to see what other activities they create for the Jewish young professionals in Cleveland! Hannah Miller, iheartmedia Inc. You can support JCLE through these sponsorships: Listing on JCLE website and acknowledgement on all events $10,000 Listing on JCLE website and acknowledgement for 4 events $5,000 Listing on JCLE website and acknowledgement for 3 events $2,500 Listing on JCLE website and acknowledgement for 2 events $1,500 Listing on JCLE website and acknowledgement for 1 event $1,000

9 Israel Advocacy Sponsorships for these events can range from $2,500 to $10,000. Cleveland Hillel feels that it is important to distribute information about Israel to Jewish students because it sparks conversations with their peers and helps to properly interpret and discuss events that occur both at home and overseas. One of the ways we accomplish this is by hosting an Israeli Fellow who supports and interacts with students throughout the year. We also developed an Israel Action Plan for the Cleveland Metro schools and Oberlin. It specifies how staff should work with students, should they face anti-semitism or anti-zionism. It also highlights ways to open lines of communication with college and/or university administrations in case of any incidents. The plan includes creating educational materials that accurately portray Israel s actions. The four goals of Israel Advocacy are: a) to meet as many students as possible and engage them about Israel, b) to engage and educate the broader campus community about Israel, c) to encourage our Jewish students to participate in Israel programs, especially Birthright and Onward Israel, and d) to establish pro-israel groups on campus. Below is a list of past events which emphasized student interest and enthusiasm for Israel advocacy. Outreach activities such as a self-examination activity for Yom Kippur Hillel staff accompanied Jewish students to support them in monitoring anti-israeli lectures and activities Having two ICC Grinspoon Fellows (one at CWRU and one at JCU) trained in Israel advocacy Hosted Israeli Election Briefing with Ron Kampeas and Ami Eden from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Tu Bi Shevat Seder on campus and discussion of environmental issues in Israel 8 student leaders from 4 schools attended Students Leader s Workshop in Columbus to learn how to respond to anti-israel (or anti-jewish) information and/or incidents Sponsored A Night in Tel-Aviv at JCU What is Zionism? hosted by Oberlin Zionists Presentation by an IDF soldier during Oberlin Zionists Student Group meeting Arava Institute: Advancing Peace in the Middle East through Cross Border Environmental Cooperation Middle Eastern Shabbat dinner co-sponsored with Muslim Student Association Gaza, Peace, and the Challenge of Progressive Zionism Lecture by J.J. Goldberg of The Forward Cleveland Metro Oberlin Cultural programs like Israeli Shabbat, Shakshuka in the Sukkah, Israeli Movie Night, & Jewish Iraqi Cook Workshop Israeli Fellow assisted students in developing pro-israel groups on campus Israel Week at CWRU, and Israel Independence Day celebrations at JCU and CSU Hosted a carnival at Montefiore, in conjunction with Israel s Day of Good Deeds Leadership dinner with Abe Foxman (ADL) including conversations regarding global anti-semitism Schmooze with Sapir to talk about current events related to Israel (Israel Elections, Israel Immersion programs, the Paris attacks, global anti-semitism, other issues on campuses) Created care packages to aid S derot children Weekly Hebrew Table lunch meetings at Stevenson Dining Hall Weekly meetings held every Thursday evening by Oberlin Zionists Student Group CWRU Professor Brian Amkraut s talk, Atzma'ut and Naqba: Parallel Narratives and the Contentious History of Orchestrated HEARTBEAT at Oberlin College: Israeli + Palestinian Youth Musicians in Concert Sponsored 8 students to attend a Birthright Trip during the Winter Term You can support Israel Advocacy through these sponsorships: Platinum support of the Israel Advocacy Program $10,000 Gold support of the Israel Advocacy Program $7,500 Silver support of the Israel Advocacy Program $5,000 Bronze support of the Israel Advocacy Program $2,500