By Sheri Rodman, Executive Director
As we enter this holiday, I’m reminded every day how grateful I am to do this work — to support, guide, and celebrate with our incredible students — and to have you, our extended Hillel family, as partners in this mission.
Your support makes it possible for Hillel at VCU to be a home for Jewish learning, leadership, and community. Thank you for all you do to sustain this vibrant Jewish life on campus.
You may remember that earlier this fall I mentioned the two classes we offered — Hillel Leadership Institute and Kol Yisrael: Exploring Zionisms. These learning opportunities were true highlights of our semester. In Hillel Leadership Institute, students developed their leadership skills both on and off campus, gaining confidence and a stronger sense of purpose. In Kol Yisrael, we delved into the historical roots and contemporary realities of Zionism — exploring how the movement evolved and how diverse perspectives continued to shape the conversation. As a former high school teacher, I was truly blown away by the depth, curiosity, and courage our students brought to these discussions.
In October, our incredible Springboard Fellow, Kayla Seabolt, led a heartwarming program called Nourished by Tradition. Students learned about the history of matzo ball soup, made their own to take home, and assembled care packages for peers who may be feeling under the weather. See Photo Above of Rebecca and Below of Eli
These care packages are now available to students who need a little comfort and warmth — a true act of community care. If you know a VCU student who could use a little pick-me-up, let us deliver some comfort from Hillel! Fill out our Matzo Ball Soup Delivery Request Form on our website, and we’ll hand-deliver a care package to your student. Each package includes a cup of instant kosher matzo ball soup, a tea bag with a honey stick, tissues, candy, and a refuah shleimah note from Hillel — a Jewish prayer for healing and wellness.
Also in October, one of our students opened his home for a “Havdalloween” get-together — combining the fun of the season with a meaningful Shabbat moment. See Photo of Mara..
We painted pumpkins, shared snacks, and ended Shabbat with a beautiful Havdallah service. I was so impressed (and charmed!) by his thoughtful hosting and creative decorations — a reminder of how our students bring Jewish life into their everyday experiences.
We were grateful for the opportunity to bring a group of ten students to the Federation’s Grand Event in October. Our students were deeply impressed by the strength and warmth of the Richmond Jewish community, and they were especially appreciative of the chance to meet and hear from Noa Tishby.
Mara L., a sophomore shared, “My participation in Hillel has shown me how large and tight-knit the Jewish community is at VCU and in Richmond. Coming from a small Jewish community, it’s amazing to see how everyone comes together to support one another, even as strangers.”
The energy in the room at the Grant Event was incredible, and our students, staff, and board members were thrilled when Noa took a moment to highlight the important work of Hillel and the role we play on campus. It was a powerful affirmation for our students, who felt seen, supported, and valued.
“Having Noa shout out Hillel and acknowledge that we are on the front lines was really inspiring.” -Itai B., Class of 2027
“It was such an honor to get the chance to meet Noa Tishby. Getting to meet her and hear her speak was a great way to inspire myself and the other students to stand confident in our beliefs. When she shouted out Hillel, it made me feel so special knowing I was a part of something so great.” - Bella V., Class of 2027
From our entire Hillel family to yours, wishing you a warm, joyful, and gratitude-filled holiday season. Thank you for being part of this journey with us — your care and partnership make all of this possible.