Elon University Hillel and its director, Nancy Luberoff, have been selected to take part in the Small and Mighty Campuses of Excellence II, an initiative sponsored by Hillel international to enhance experiences for Jewish students on smaller campuses.
The program offers specialized training for Luberoff and financial resources to Elon Hillel. It includes new opportunities for Alternative Break trips, grant money, site visits from a Hillel Schusterman International Center representative, and priority for Taglit, an organization that provides educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults between 18 and 26.
Seven institutions and seven Hillel directors make up the second cohort of schools to be accepted in the Small and Mighty Campuses of Excellence project. Wellesley College, Smith/Amherst Colleges, Kenyon College, Hamilton College, Union College and Dickinson College are joining Elon in the program.
“Elon’s profile as a welcoming home for Jewish students is continuing to grow,” said Luberoff, who joined Elon in 2008 as Hillel director. “This initiative will increase our capacity to serve Jewish students at Elon University and provide additional resources for Elon Hillel.”
Luberoff will participate Aug. 9-12 in all-expense paid training with the other six Hillel directors. One goal for the newest cohort is to double the number of participating Jewish students in Jewish activities, Jewish life and Jewish experiences and to engage uninvolved Jewish students on campus.
Luberoff and Elon Hillel have committed to participate in the cohort for two years and to work on specific projects to strengthen Jewish life on Elon’s campus. In addition, Elon is partnered with the Jewish Book Network, which creates opportunities for Jewish authors to visit campus.
The first cohort, selected in the fall of 2008, includes Colgate University, Franklin and Marshall College, Lehigh University, Middlebury College, Williams College, and Washington and Lee University.