Hillel. History

“Hillel” is the biggest world students organisation, that promotes regeneration of Jewish life. “Hillel” exists in 27 cities of 7 countries of CIS, and there are more than 500 centers of “Hillel” on the territory of USA, Canada, Israel, Australia, Latin America and Europe. Our aim is implicating youth into a life of Jewish community, familiarization Jewish students with history, culture, customs and traditions of Jewish nation, and also realization of the programs directed on assistance to spiritual development of youth in sphere of formation and culture.
The first "Hillel" has appeared in 1923 in the USA, at Illinois university. Its purpose was care of cultural and social needs of the Jewish students who have been torn off from family. In due course the similar organizations began to appear in all large cities of America. After the second world war "Hillels" have started to arise in Canada, South America, the Europe, Australia, Israel.

The network of "Hillels" gives to the student's world all riches and a variety of Judaism and Jewish life. The fact is that from the very beginning students from the various countries were involved into our organization, promoted fast development and growth. "Hillel" exists in more than 400 campuses and unites all those who wishes to unite and strengthen Jewish people in XXI century.

The first "Hillel" in the CIS has appeared in 1994 in Moscow owing to support of family fund of Charles and Lynn Shusterman and in cooperation with Joint (AJJDC) and Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. The fund of Charles and Lynn Shusterman, and also regional centers provide support for local "Hillels" in areas of strategic planning, professional trainings, and managements. There are 27 "Hillels" registered in the CIS today.

It is necessary to say, that the purpose of "Hillels" in the CIS is very special. The consequence of a 75-years form of Soviet government became that our generation - generation of "Hillels" of CIS - absolutely torn off from the Jewish tradition. The thousand-year continuity was broke: parents had nothing to transfer to the children. The Jews who have remained in former Soviet Union, have collided with a uneasy problem - revival of a community and restoration of the Jewish life. Today young men can, follow the traditions openly, celebrate the Jewish holidays, express themselves in Jewry. In spite of this, many students and young men do not have enough elementary Jewish knowledge. They start to ask questions, search for answers. What means to be the Jew? How to live the Jewish life? What is the Jewish family? What will be the future? Thus, a problem in "Hillels" of CIS is not just creation of a sphere of the Jewish communication or maintenance of tradition, as in other regions, and familiarizing with values considerably new to us, revival lost. The main goal of "Hillel" – is forming of new generation educated Jews, who proud with their heritage, revival of the Jewish communities in Ukraine. " Hillel" offers knowledge and traditions, Jewish spirit and a unification, feeling of an accessory to Jewish people. Involving students, who know nothing about Jewry, bringing up leaders of the Jewish communities, "Hillel" struggles for the future of the Jewish life. Students, in their turn, share the received knowledge with their families and friends, requiring Jews in communities, feeling members and leaders of communities. Thousand of students and members of their families participate in programs of "Hillel". Our programs - the engine of the Jewish revival, they allow students to find the road in the Jewish history and tradition, to construct the Jewish house. "Hillel" introduces the Jewish values during a life of the Jewish youth, on a regular basis spends professional and lidership trainings, training students to art of leadership.

The Mission of Odessa "Hillel" coincides with the mission of the centers "Hillels" all over the world: "Maximizing the number of Jewish doing Jewish with other Jews ". However in Ukraine "Hillel" adapts to specific needs of students and special conditions. Through the programs of "Hillel" students get acquainted with history of people, traditions and culture. Students take active participation in a life of a community, express themselves by means of projects which carry through, study and learn, celebrate and create, become the leaders. Programs of "Hillel" are directed to the search and attraction of the students who were not participating in the Jewish life before; any student can come here. "Hillel" does not belong to political movements and religious currents, providing, thus, full freedom of self-expression for everyone.