H EADLINES
The pandemic period has given us the opportunity to invest
aggressively in digital transformation in a way we needed to do, in
any case, but it really accelerated our progress.”
ADAM LEHMAN
that do produce skepticism
about institutional life. We
are a movement more than
an institution. We really take
seriously person-to-person
engagement, and getting to
know the whole student, and
just being there as a resource
and a partner in terms of their
personal journey and their
Jewish journey. And when our
professionals, many of whom
are young and connected to
Gen Z, have the opportunity
to really get to know students
and be there for students, it
transcends any preconceptions
in everything we were doing to nearly 50,000 views of [the How will Hillel deal with a
meet immediate student needs Hillel video series] “Higher growing sense of skepticism
in a very diff erent context.

Holidays” content, and it toward institutions among
relieved campuses from younger people?
What will Hillel keep from the need to try, during the
Th e current generation of
this pandemic? And what are pandemic, to put together the young people has lived through
you happy to leave behind?
full range of service offerings. really trying times and times
Th e pandemic period has
given us the opportunity to
invest aggressively in digital
transformation in a way we
needed to do, in any case, but it
really accelerated our progress.

And we absolutely will be
continuing to invest in digital
experiences, not as a replace-
ment for in-person community
building, but as a complement.

Th is period also led us to
focus even more on cohort-
based learning and engagement
groups. We were able to fully
transition our Jewish learning
fellowship into online space,
and also build up a whole series
of other learning and leader-
ship cohorts, some in person
and some in digital space.

Th ose have provided such
meaningful value to students
who are starved for commu-
nity in this moment, and it
reinforced for us that those
cohort approaches can be just
core to how we build commu-
There are many pages in a long, rich life. What will you be inspired
nity moving forward.

A big learning from the
to do next? Maybe you’ll find time for yoga, gardening, dance.

period has also been that as
a movement, we can provide
Or just find peace in watching birds or walking your dog. Whatever
some experiences movement-
wide that relieve the need for
your next chapter brings, you can open up the time and space for it here,
intensive effort on program-
ming locally. An example
in a community that supports your goals every step of the way.

of that is with the High
Holidays. Many campuses
To learn more, call 215 - 999-3619 or visit RydalPark.org
were not in a position to do
extensive in-person services.

We created nearly 50 hours
of quality video program-
ming, covering a whole
range of services and other
related experiences. We had
around what Hillel is as an
institution, and provides
opportunities for inspiration
and transformation.

Th ey’re showing up because
they’re getting value because
they realize Hillel is not about
Hillel. Hillel is about them.

Hillel is about their future.

Hillel is about their develop-
ment. And so that has helped
us cut through some of the
cynicism that is understand-
ably there for this generation. ●
jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740
Name: Human Good c/o Mayo Seitz
Width: 7.375 in
Depth: 7.38 in
Color: Black plus one
Comment: JE News 2/4 Ry Park
Ad Number: 00092942
work in
progress i am a
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
...to be continued
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
5