You’re invited to our UNC admin webinar on 9/11/24
To our NC Hillel Community,
We have been thrilled to welcome back our students across the state over the last few weeks. Our walls are once again filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to experience Jewish community. This first week back in class has been a busy one. Alongside the joy of gathering for Shabbat and NC Hillel programming throughout all of our campuses, our hearts have felt heavy since the murder of the six hostages this past weekend. Student leaders and staff quickly reached out to one another to provide space for reflection and processing in community in honor of the lives we lost.
As students continue to process the events from this past weekend, I want to assure you that Hillel is committed to partnering with our students as they explore their own Jewish journey in a safe and welcoming environment. From Shabbat meals to bagel brunches, music groups to hiking trips, educational programs to just getting support from friends, we are there for our students now and always.
I know many of you are nervous about the campus climate — a little more than you’d usually be. As we know too well, the campus environment this past year, in particular, has been unlike anything you or I experienced when we were at school. I’m writing because I believe we are partners in giving our students an amazing experience at NC Hillel.
We are excited to invite you to a special Zoom webinar designed to provide valuable insights and updates on the current campus climate at UNC Chapel Hill on September 11th at 7PM EST. This event will hopefully be the first of many this school year, featuring our administrative relationships across the state. Next week’s webinar will be a conversation with UNC Chapel Hill administrators Dr. Amy Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, and Elizabeth Hall, Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity and Compliance, who will address key issues, answer your questions, and share resources aimed at supporting our Jewish students in Chapel Hill.
Event Details:
Date: Sep 11, 2024 at 7PM EST.
Platform: Zoom
RSVP: Click Here to Register
During this informative session, we will cover:
The current state of campus climate and its impact on Jewish students.
Resources and support available to students through UNC and NC Hillel.
A Q&A segment where you can ask specific questions related to student life and campus environment.
Please note that while the webinar is open to all members of the NC Hillel community, the focus will be on providing support and updates relevant to current students and their families. To ensure that we address the most pertinent topics, we encourage you to submit your questions in advance on the registration link. This will help us tailor the discussion to better meet your needs.
Here at NC Hillel, three main pillars guide our work:
Security. We ensure Hillel is a safe haven where Jewish students across the state can attend class, join clubs, and walk campus without fear of harassment or attack. We collaborate closely with university departments, from public safety to the Chancellor’s office, to enforce effective, student-centric policies. Our dynamic approach to safety is both collaborative and responsive to students' needs.
Support. The team at NC Hillel supports students as they navigate challenges on campus. That ranges from mentorship and mental health support to helping them deal with professors or administrators. Hillel is here to be a warm and welcoming community that is there for them no matter what.
Pride and Joy. While the on-campus incidents grab attention online and in the media, our focus is on Jewish pride and Jewish joy. In just the first few weeks of the semester, we’ve seen over 500 students at 40+ events across all 8 campuses. Hillel International has highlighted some of our programs, including mezuzah making at Appalachian State and a Welcome Back Block Party at UNC Chapel Hill.
Now, we can’t do all of this alone. As important members of our extended campus community, here is what YOU can do to help Hillel and Jewish students in North Carolina:
Ask. It may seem simple, but don’t hesitate to contact our staff or check-in with a student in your life to ask what they need. Life on campus has changed in so many different ways since we were undergrads, and even since last year, so please do not hesitate to reach out and ask questions.
Understand. If there is an incident at a UNC school, we will do our best to let you know what we know. At the same time, please understand that we’re primarily focused on being present with our students and often also managing the response with university leaders and community partners. Know that we are sharing what we can with you and working in the best interest of the NC Hillel community.
Partner. Ask, understand, and then be ready to partner! You may be surprised what students need at any given time. One week, it may be advice on how to write an essay for the school paper, and another week, it may be emailing administrators in support of Jewish students and their safety on campus. We are here to serve the students, giving them what they need to thrive at their school!
This is going to be a great year. You can get all the updates you need by following NC Hillel (or your campus of choice!) on Instagram or Facebook. If you have a question or concern, please email me. Together, we can keep our students safe, supported, and proud!
Warm Regards,
Hannah Spinrad
Executive Director