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January 25, 2002/12 Shevat 5762, Vol. 54, No. 19
Hillel engenders minority discussion, awarded grant
JESSICA BARBER
Editorial Assistant
The Hillel Jewish Student Center of Arizona State University received recognition for its minority discussion forum during the Schusterman International Professional Staff Conference, held in mid-December in Princeton, N.J.
"American Voices: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Sept. 11," a forum held Nov. 19, gave minority groups at ASU the opportunity to express how the events of Sept. 11 affected their community and lives in an attempt to contribute to the greater understanding and education of students.
"It seems that people were very impressed that minorities could sit down and discuss their differences," said Shotsy Abramson, Hillel assistant director. "Even though a consensus did not come out of American voices ... we could bring all these people together and we could all discuss our problems and get friendly."
For this program, Hillel received the Anti-Defamation League Joint Venture Diversity Grant supported by The Perry and Martin Grandoff Foundation.
The grant is part of a larger project called Tzedek Hillel, supported by the Nathan Cummings Foundation and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. The program is dedicated to transforming life on campus and in the community through community partnerships, advocacy, service and education, framed by the Jewish imperatives of tzedakah, Tikkun Olam and Gemilut Chasadim.
Abramson, along with Hillel Program Coordinator Michelle Frankford and Development Coordinator Linda Shapiro, attended the conference.
"We all go to (the conference to) learn, get our batteries charged and to find out what is going on in the world," said Abramson. "If you're a small Hillel, you may learn things from other small Hillels."
Abramson, Frankford and Shapiro attended classes intended for Hillel staff that focus on leadership skills, Jewish student life and program formation and coordination.
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