University of Delaware Hillel Launches a New Capital Campaign to Invest in Jewish Student Life
Over the last year and a half since October 7, 2023, campus Hillels have seen an unprecedented level of student involvement and community support. At Hillel at the University of Delaware, the community has grown so much that a campaign is underway to construct a building that will serve as an updated hub for Jewish life at the university.
“This new facility represents a critical investment in Jewish student life at the University of Delaware (UD),” said Donna Schwartz, executive director of Hillel at UD. “As engagement in Hillel’s programs continues to grow, we need a center that can accommodate diverse activities, foster meaningful connections, and serve as a beacon of Jewish life on campus. Together, we’re ensuring a vibrant Jewish future at UD.”
The “Building the Jewish Future” capital campaign, which aims to raise $12 million, will fund a new state-of-the-art Jewish student center, and officially kicked off on May 18 at a brunch event at the Trabant University Center. The campaign has already secured $8 million in commitments, including three lead gifts of over $1 million each from Stuart and Suzanne Grant, the Kristol family, and the Book family. To accelerate funding momentum, a $500,000 challenge match has been established.
The kick-off event brought together students, alumni, university leadership, and community members to hear about the vision for the future of Jewish life at UD. At the event, Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, hosted a panel discussion with current Jewish Blue Hens who shared their experiences on campus over the last year and a half.
“We know from our work at the University of Delaware and campuses across the country just how important it is for Jewish students to have dedicated, welcoming spaces where they can fully express their identities, engage in Jewish life, and find community,” Lehman said. “This new facility will ensure that Jewish Blue Hens have an amazing place to call home for decades to come.”
“I am super excited for the opportunities this building will bring to establish an even stronger Jewish community at UD,” said Sam Auerbach, UD student.
Hillel at the University of Delaware has been enriching the lives of Jewish students and helping them grow personally and professionally since 1948. Currently, UD Hillel is housed at the Kristol Center for Jewish Life, built in 1993 and named in honor of Abe and Pearl Kristol, who were instrumental in creating that space for Jewish students at the university. The new building, which will replace the current center,will feature a large event hall for Shabbat dinner seating up to 250 students, small study rooms, lounge spaces, and even a a rooftop deck, as well as a beit midrash, a space for Torah study.
“The new physical space will certainly impact Jewish life at UD in the years to come as it will provide a home away from home for our [Jewish] students,” said Maren Jacobs, UD student. “With the new building, there will be more space… to enjoy Shabbat dinners and club events, providing opportunities to create everlasting friendships and connections!”
UD Hillel hopes that this campaign will ensure that every one of the more than 2,000 Jewish students on campus will have a space to learn, connect, grow, and build community. Construction of the new facility is projected to begin in October, 2025, with completion expected by December, 2026.
For more information about the campaign or to donate, visit www.delawarehillelcampaign.org.