Reflections on the Rutgers Hillel Groundbreaking

Reflections on the Rutgers Hillel Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking for the new Eva and Arie Halpern Hillel House took place Friday, November 21, 2014. Students, alumni and supporters of Rutgers Hillel joined together to celebrate as construction commences on our future home. Here are some reflections from students and alumni about why it was important for them to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony:

It’s been a long time coming. It has been a circuitous route to get to this site, but it was well worth waiting for. We are lucky to have Andrew Getraer and his staff bringing us to this day. I also came to thank the donors without whom this wouldn’t be possible.
Phil Vinick, Board Member and Class of 1973 and 1976

Even though I’m graduating, I felt the need to help build the bridge for future Jewish students to have the best Hillel experience they can.
Seth Deneroff, President of Student Board, Class of 2015

The experiences you have are shaped by the places that you are. Having a big, beautiful and permanent building will be conducive to creating big and beautiful experiences that will have a lasting impact on our community.
Sarah Harpaz, Ask Big Questions Lead Intern, Class of 2016 

My husband Michael was a Rutgers Hillel member in the 70’s. I knew the Funks* for a very long time. We are donors, and Michael has been a huge supporter since his college years. He never loses touch with Rutgers. We hope that our son, Josh, who is a junior will get to see the new building before he graduates.
Terri Rosenberg (Michael Rosenberg, Class of 1975)
*Rabbi Julius Funk was the Hillel Director from 1943-1982. He and his wife, Pearl, influenced generations of Rutgers students.

I am excited to have a real, stable, beautiful building to feel safe, proud and at home in.
Liz Binstein, Jewish Artists & Activist / LGBT Lead Intern, Class of 2017

Throughout my three years at Rutgers, I’ve seen Hillel in three different buildings and it’s time for a permanent home. We’ve been wandering Jews for far too long and it’s time for something concrete.
Shira Rosenblum, Vice President of Student Board, Class of 2015

My husband, Mark Busch, and I are here because we have been dreaming of this for years. Mark was president of Hillel for three years when he went here!
Frankie Busch (Mark Busch, Class of 1964) 

We have a great Jewish community here at Rutgers, and we really need a place to call our own, a place where we can lay down our roots.
Alex Hamilton, Conservative Community Co-Chair of Student Board, Class of 2017 

I came because it is a long time coming for Jewish students to have a place they can call home. Not just for students, but for our community and Jewish future.
Susan Antman, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County

 

 

We are beginning an exciting future for Rutgers Hillel and the growing Jewish community.
Becca Meiner, Community Service Co-Chair of Student Board, Class of 2017

The new Hillel building symbolizes the bond we share by giving us a finalized central location.
Jared Forman, Jewish Engineering Students Lead Intern, Class of 2016

I felt it was important because it is a great tribute to the Jewish tradition and student body, both the past and the future. I feel great to be here! I met my husband at RU so I have a long history here, and I am on the Board of Trustees.
Roberta Schulman-Kanarick, Class of 1964 and 1992 

I am very excited for the new Hillel building. I feel that having a new, beautiful building will allow Hillel to spread Jewish life across all of the Rutgers New Brunswick campuses. Everything begins from the home and having a new home for Rutgers Hillel will allow it to do wonders!
Yossi Newmark, Shabbat Co-Chair of Student Board, Class of 2018 

I went to the Groundbreaking because I wanted to show support and share my excitement for the future of Rutgers Hillel.
Noah Whittenburg, Orthodox/Mesorah Community Co-Chair of Student Board, Class of 2015

Rutgers is in my blood. I have been involved with Hillel since 1963. I am so delighted that Hillel will be in the center of this campus. I hope that my three grandchildren will get to see the new building.
Sue Kheel, Class of 1967 and 1972 

We need a place to go on a Sunday to study or relax before the week, where we can be with our Jewish friends.
Hannah Poisner, Treasurer of Student Board, Class of 2016

I am here for my daughter who was President of Hillel. Her years at Rutgers Hillel were the best four years of her life. My daughter was in the old building, and she would be so excited to see this new building. Hillel made her think she could conquer the world, and now she is an entertainment lawyer in Hollywood.
Debra Josephs (parent of Danielle Josephs, Class of 2007) 

While giving the campus tour for the Rutgers Hillel Alumni Association Brunch, I was reminded of how special Rutgers is and what a great addition our big, beautiful Jewish home will be to this diverse community.
Jordan Davis, First Year Impact Lead Intern, Class of 2016

It is important that Jewish students have a place to be Jewish in a warm, safe and fun environment.
Sara Goldberg, Community Service Co-Chair of Student Board, Class of 2017

It is so exciting to finally have such a big space for Jewish students to be able to connect with each other!
Amanda Crystal, Jewish Greek Network Lead Intern, Class of 2016

I can’t wait to have a new cozy space to call home on campus! Thank you for a new building!
Samantha Glass, Secretary of Student Board, Class of 2017

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