Frequently Asked Questions
All good questions deserve good answers. This is where we keep our best answers to your outstanding questions. If you want to know more about something that isn't addressed on this page, e-mail us at yonikb@ufhillel.org
What do you want to know?
- How many Jewish students are there on campus in Gainesville?
- What kind of student programs and groups does the UF Hillel facilitate at UF and Santa Fe Community College?
- How do students get involved with Hillel? Are there membership fees?
- Is there kosher dining on campus?
- What is Shabbat like at UF/Santa Fe?
- What are holiday observances and celebrations like at UF/Santa Fe?
- Can prospective students visit UF/Santa Fe and stay overnight with a Jewish student?
- What social justice opportunities does Hillel have?
- How can I support UF Hillel?
- I received a letter/phone call asking me to make a donation. Where does Hillel get its funding and how would my contribution make a difference?
- My student doesn't go to Hillel. Why should I make an annual donation?
- I graduated and/or my son or daughter graduated. Why should I continue giving to the UF Hillel?
- How is Hillel connected to the University community?
- I never had anything to do with the Hillel at UF when I was a student 10/20/30/40 years ago, so why should I support it now?
How many Jewish students are there on campus in Gainesville?
There are approximately 8,000- 10,000 Jewish undergraduate and graduate students at The University of Florida (UF), about 16-20% of the student population. At Santa Fe Community College (Santa Fe) there are approximately 500 Jewish undergraduate students, about 10% of the undergraduate student population.
What kind of student programs and groups does the UF Hillel facilitate at UF and Santa Fe Community College?
UF Hillel runs a wide array of programs designed to enhance the Jewish awareness of our students including spiritual, cultural, historic, and Israel-based programming. We have our own student board, Manoah (Hebrew for Engine) and work closely with the UF Jewish Student Union (JSU), the recognized UF Jewish student group on campus. While the boards operate autonomously, they work collaboratively on many committees including Jewish education, social justice, Israel, social, and Shabbat and holidays. Together, with our staff, they plan programs, events and holiday celebrations that are open to the entire Gainesville Jewish university student population. Students are encouraged to pursue their ideas, take the initiative, as well as get involved with existing projects and committees. For those not on a committee - students with good ideas are still provided funding and mentoring. The only limitations we have are our own imaginations!
How do students get involved with Hillel? Are there membership fees?
Any student on campus can participate in any UF Hillel sponsored event. There are no membership fees and students are encouraged to plan and/or attend as little or as many programs and activities as they wish. Programs are supported by Parents, Alumni and the Jewish community of Gainesville. If you have an idea for a program or would like to find out about leadership opportunities, please click here.
Is there kosher dining on campus?
UF offers a kosher dining option centrally located at UF Hillel. You can sign up in advance through Gator Dining or at UF Hillel. In addition, all food served at UF Hillel programs and events is kosher. UF Hillel and our caterer are always open to exploring options and accommodating special needs whenever possible.
What is Shabbat like at UF/Santa Fe?
Every week between 200-400 students join together at Norman H. Lipoff Hall for student-led Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Shabbat services followed by a free Kosher Shabbat dinner. The students often plan special themed Shabbats that include culinary, cultural and educational themes. Afterwards, students are welcome to "hang out" at with their friends and enjoy the game room, student lounge and spirit of Shabbat by just being with friends. On Saturday morning, students organize morning services followed by a cholent lunch. Some students choose to come to services and meals. Others may attend only services or only to join their friends for a Shabbat meal. For a schedule of upcoming Shabbat programming, please visit our calendar of events.
What are holiday observances and celebrations like at UF/Santa Fe?
UF Hillel runs a full program of services and meals for the High Holidays, Passover, and other festivals and holidays. During Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, services are held and meals are offered including dinners and pre-fast and break-fast meals on Yom Kippur. During Passover, there are a variety of Seders on the first and second nights. Other holidays are celebrated with programs, services, and dinners depending on where they fall during the academic calendar. For more information, visit the Shabbat and Holidays Committee <insert link here> page.
Can prospective students visit UF/Santa Fe and stay overnight with a Jewish student?
The best way to gain a sense of either UF and/or Santa Fe is to visit our campus in person. The University Office of Admissions at UF and The University Office of Admissions at Santa Fe can arrange for prospective students to tour the campus, observe classes, and eat in the dining halls. The office can also assist students with overnight stays. Prospective students interested in Jewish life on campus hosting over a Shabbat should contact our staff and visit our calendar of events for UF Hillel sponsored activities specifically for potential students throughout the year.
What social justice opportunities does Hillel have?
UF Hillel is at the forefront of social justice programming at UF and Santa Fe. With programs ranging from Darfur awareness, Katrina Relief, and Environmental awareness to volunteering in our own community, there is a wide variety of programs to become involved in. We have sent students to the Ukraine and Poland as well as Alternative Spring Break trips to the Gulf Coast. UF Hillel is committed to conducting engaging programs that make social justice and the teaching of related Jewish texts and values a core component of our mission on campus. To request more information on our social justice programming click here.
How can I support UF Hillel?
UF Hillel relies on the generous donors to support our on-going programming and special initiatives. We firmly believe that by investing in the Jewish future of our students, we are investing in our own Jewish future as today's students have the potential to play a meaningful role in our Jewish future... if we can reach them. Please click here to learn more about giving opportunities to UF Hillel.
I received a letter/phone call asking me to make a donation. Where does Hillel get its funding and how would my contribution make a difference?
A majority of UF Hillel’s funding comes from private foundations and donors. A portion of our budget comes from the Jewish Federations in Florida, however, more than three quarters of our budget, has to be raised annually from parents, alumni and other friends of UF Hillel. We simply could not sustain this extraordinary range of programs and services without the annual campaign. Your contribution is a critical part of what makes Jewish life on campus in Gainesville possible.
My student doesn't go to Hillel. Why should I make an annual donation?
Your son or daughter may not have come to UF Hillel (though it's possible he or she has and just has not told you), but Hillel has certainly come to him or her. Students at UF and Santa Fe "happen upon" our Jewish life on campus — whether it is the fall orientation events, Sukkot Survivor (our own version of "Survivor"), holiday services, or merely a sign on campus. Our location directly across from “The Swamp” and “The O-Dome” along with our presence on campus ensures students are more often than not aware of UF Hillel and participate in a UF Hillel and/or JSU sponsored event at some point.
I graduated and/or my son or daughter graduated. Why should I continue giving to UF Hillel?
UF Hillel has grown tremendously over the past 5 years. Whether you witnessed the peak of this growth or whether you experienced Hillel when it was merely a small older building, we simply cannot sustain this extraordinary range of programs and growth without the support of alumni. More than three quarters of our budget, has to be raised annually from parents, alumni and other friends of UF Hillel. Your contribution is a critical part of what allows UF Hillel to continue to grow, develop student leaders, and create a Jewish community on campus that will in turn enhance the Jewish people and the world.
How is Hillel connected to the University community?
UF Hillel is a private not-for-profit organization (501-c3) and is fully accredited by Hillel International. UF Hillel is integrated into the University community through its dynamic programs, co-sponsored events, and the involvement of active students in many other University groups. Both UF and Santa Fe are very supportive of UF Hillel and the unique role we play on their respective campus' to provide a welcoming atmosphere for Jewish students, faculty, and families in Gainesville.
I never had anything to do with UF Hillel when I was a student 10/20/30/40 years ago, so why should I support it now?
If you are like many Jewish UF alums, you probably wish that Hillel had been like this when you were in school. The fact is that few Hillels offer as wide an array of quality programs as UF Hillel. With a beautiful new building, free wireless internet, a sports lounge, incredible campus programs, new kosher food on campus and student led Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform services weekly, UF Hillel has become a destination for Jewish students. Support for UF Hillel is an investment in the future of American Jewish life, and one which we are trying to ensure will continue to pay great dividends for all of us.