From Amsterdam to Colorado: Standing Strong

Eighty years ago this month, Anne Frank was deported from Amsterdam and later died at Bergen-Belsen.  Today, in Amsterdam Jews were brutally attacked.   

101 years ago, the first Hillel was founded. Today, Hillel of Colorado is stronger than ever, here for our 2,000+ students.

A message from Daniel W. Bennett, Hillel of Colorado Executive Director

Snow is falling heavily in Colorado today, another sign that Hillel is well into the academic year on our Colorado campuses. Meanwhile, almost 5,000 miles away in Amsterdam, yesterday, Jews were brutally assaulted for being Jewish, an echo of an era we thought we’d left behind a lifetime ago.

Hillel students feel outrage, fear, and dismay in the face of the antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam. Such acts of Jew-hatred are emblematic of Hillel students’ wariness, anger, and uncertainty. It is no wonder we have seen record numbers of students flocking to our Colorado Hillels this fall to feel support and amplify their voices. They ask to be safe in their Jewish identities and secure in their Jewish journeys.

At Hillel they find Jewish pride, supportive mentors, powerful peer relationships, and tools to confront campus antisemitism – which we know isn’t going away. Hillel of Colorado’s staff, through our new Wellness Center, continue our important work assuring students have what they need to face what has become a “new normal” while helping them answer these burning questions:

• Can we eliminate campus antisemitism?
  • No: unfortunately, despite all our successes speaking truth to power and holding university leadership accountable for Jewish student safety, hatred isn’t going away. ADL calls the Amsterdam attack a prime example of what haters mean by “globalize the intifada,” a chant we still hear on our campuses, weekly.

• Can we empower Hillel students to confront rising antisemitism with confidence as they grow into tomorrow’s Jewish leaders?  
  • Yes: In these turbulent times, Hillel isn’t just a safe space. Our home-away-from-home provides students a rich, formative experience proven to shape Jewish identity, instill confidence, and inspire commitment to Jewish values and Israel.
    • We do this 1-1, with literally hundreds of staff-student coffees and meetings so far this fall.
    • We do this through large, Friday night dinners, programs and services where we sing, learn, and experience the best of solidarity in community.
    • We do this through group by trainings, where students learn, integrate, and plan their responses.

This snowy Erev Shabbat we are grateful for your support that allows all this to happen.  WE ARE HILLEL. Shabbat Shalom.

Through the generosity of the community Hillel’s staff has grown.  Please contact Dr. Shoshanna Shachtman, Director of Wellness for Hillel of Colorado, or any of our fine staff should you – or someone you know –need extra support or resources now or any time.