Tufts Hillel believes in a community in which students can explore the issues that are essential to their lives and a community in which they can engage with making the world a better place.
There are many reasons to be Jewish in the 21st century. That’s because Judaism offers real and substantial answers to some of the most pressing questions in our lives.
Questions like: What’s really important to me? How do I bring balance to my life? Who is my community? What does it mean to be connected to a history? How do I deal with the passage of time? If I ever have children, what do I want to teach them? If I ever get married, what do I want my marriage to look like?
The Jewish tradition has been engaging with these questions for thousands of years. Even when there are many perspectives on the answers, examining the questions is a wonderful way to explore these issues deeply.
Supporting Students on Their Journeys
Tufts Hillel supports students as they learn what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century. We give them the guidance, resources, and opportunities to deepen that exploration — when they choose and how they choose to learn more about their Judaism.
We are a student-led organization that develops programs that are compelling and accessible to as many people as possible.
Our student leaders create a broad range of social, cultural, educational and religious events almost every day. Our special initiatives such as Merrin Moral Voices, Cummings/Hillel Holocaust & Genocide Education, Read by the River, Challah for Hunger and Vitality: Health & Wellness are rooted in Jewish tradition.
Exploring Jewish Identity
At a time when many students are exploring what it means to be part of a history and a people — thinking more deeply about questions of identity — much of the work of Tufts Hillel relates to Jewish peoplehood.
For some students, this means going to other countries to work with the Jewish communities in those places. For other students, it means going on Taglit-Birthright trips to explore Israel with Israelis and get firsthand experience of the nature of that country. And for others, it means engaging deeply with very different cultures to learn more about themselves and their own identity.
At Tufts Hillel, we help students connect with their traditions, with each other, and with their community. We are a place where they can ask and discuss questions in way that adds value to the lives they’re living and the lives of others. We hope you’ll join us.