YINZ/YIDZ

We just received  a lengthy statement by Beatrice S. Mandel, chair of the Hillel International Board of Directors and Wayne L. Firestone, president of Hillel International, regarding Effie Eitam's recent appearances in Pittsburgh and a separate  program  with a ZOA official Philadelphia. It is posted here in its entirety:  

Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania and the Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh have been in the news. The events that have taken place on these campuses underscore our commitment to engaging the broadest range of Jewish students and to creating inclusive Jewish communities within campuses of civility.

On Wednesday night (Feb. 3) an event was held at the Rose and Ed Berman Center for Jewish Student Life, the Hillel Jewish University Center in Pittsburgh featuring former Knesset Member Effi Eitam. That event was protested by different groups, including individuals who are members of J Street, although they did so as private citizens and without approval from J Street. That same evening at Steinhardt Hall, the home of University of Pennsylvania Hillel, students who work under the banner of Penn Zionist Freedom Alliance and ZOA presented Daniel Pollak, co-director of Government Relations for the Zionist Organization of America, who engaged students in discussion about American-Israel politics.

Last night the J Street organization rented space at Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania for a Webcast event. The J Street program was not sponsored or endorsed by Hillel. At the same time, another Hillel-sponsored lecture was held elsewhere in the building featuring Dr. Mitchell Bard. The J Street event garnered protests both at the venue and online. I invite you to read about these programs in JTA, the Jerusalem Post, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.

Hillel of Greater Philadelphia thought long and hard about J Street’s request to rent space. They consulted with their Board members and with their local community leaders. Ultimately they concluded that it was in the best interests of students on the campus to provide space to J Street. I invite you to read their complete statement on the decision online or in the attachment.

These events have engendered a great deal of discussion among members of the Jewish community. Hillel professionals have fielded dozens of calls and received hundreds of e-mails. While many of the e-mails were nothing more than signed form letters, we have also heard from thoughtful individuals who expressed heartfelt, well-reasoned concerns about Jewish students, Israel and Hillel.

Hillel does not want to alienate any of our supporters. At the same time, we must be true to our mission to campuses to provide venues and initiatives that appeal to the spectrum of our students, within the guidelines of our international policies. Sometimes, that means we must go outside of our individual comfort zones. Edward H. Rosen, a Hillel of Greater Philadelphia board member and the namesake of the new Hillel facility at Temple University, told the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent that although he disagrees with J Street he felt that preventing them from speaking on campus would serve little good. "In my view, they are on the extreme left of the political spectrum. They are not supportive of the government of Israel," Rosen said. He added that denying them space would have created a bigger stir and put Hillel on the wrong side of a free-speech debate. "On balance, I am in favor of them appearing. I am in favor of the discussion."

In a column that has been published in the Exponent (attached), Hillel of Greater Philadelphia Executive Director Howard Alpert and the Philadelphia Israel Campus Coalition Chair Prof. Edward Newman explained Hillel of Greater Philadelphia’s approach to engaging students. They write: “For many, the primary issue in considering Hillel's decision is how to properly understand the character of J Street and what needs to be done to stop it or promote it, depending on one's perspective. For Hillel, the primary issue is how to properly understand the character of today's college students and what can be done to engage them in the Jewish conversation.”

These perspectives from Hillel lay leaders and professionals reflect the strength and wisdom of the Hillel movement. We are committed to engaging students where they are, even when “where they are” is a strange and unfamiliar place.

During our 2008 Summit of the University and the Jewish Community we sought to strengthen civility on college campuses. We were reminded that while we already live in a time when campuses are largely havens for intellectual pursuit and personal growth, much more can be done to strengthen civil discourse on our campuses. Inevitably there will be setbacks but we cannot allow these obstacles — whether they are protesters or e-mail campaigns — to get in the way of progress. Anything worthwhile has to be fought for and nurtured.

The events in Pennsylvania this week remind us of the vibrancy, the dynamism and the importance of Hillel to students, campuses and the community. We need to redouble our efforts to reach out to fellow community members to reassure them that we are as committed as ever to the welfare of Jewish students, the Jewish community and the State of Israel. We will continue to do everything in our power to fulfill our vision: “to ensure that every Jewish student makes and enduring commitment to the Jewish community.”