A Top University Needs a Top Hillel
In less than a decade, the University of Florida has become a premier, top five public institution, making an already competitive school even more appealing to Florida’s best and brightest Jewish students. This rapid ascent to elite status raised the bar in all areas of campus life: facilities, faculty, research, career readiness, innovation, and more.
In this new landscape, Gators also expect exceptional Jewish life to serve the needs of one of the largest Jewish student populations of any university in the country. They want a campus that boasts a strong, vibrant, safe, and pluralistic Jewish community - one that the Diane and Howard Schilit Hillel at University of Florida is uniquely positioned to provide with the right resources.
To catalyze this critical phase of growth, we are inviting transformational investments from alumni, current families, faculty, staff, and all of those who care about the future of Jewish life at Florida.
Schilit Hillel seeks to raise at least $10 million through two core areas, capital and endowment, which together will help us realize our immense potential. These funds will be used to renovate and sustain Norman H. Lipoff Hall, which has served as Hillel’s physical home since 2005, and to create permanently endowed funds to ensure the long term vitality of Jewish life at UF. We hope you will join us as we seek to fulfill our vision to become a top Hillel.
Progress to Goal
$7.3M
$0M
$10M
Campaign News
UF HILLEL SECURES TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFT -
BECOMES DIANE AND HOWARD SCHILIT HILLEL AT UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
January 14, 2026
University of Florida Hillel announced today that it will be renamed the Diane and Howard Schilit Hillel at University of Florida, following a transformational seven-figure gift from Diane Lipson Schilit and Howard Schilit.
"Diane and Howard's generosity will strengthen our ability to support Jewish students during a critical time in their lives and on campus," said Rabbi Jonah Zinn, Executive Director of Schilit Hillel. "We're grateful for their partnership in meeting the moment as UF continues to attract many Jewish students seeking a vibrant, welcoming community.”
The transformative gift, part of a comprehensive $10 million campaign that has raised $7.3 million to date, will support facility renovations and programmatic endowments serving UF's robust Jewish population.
"This gift represents a new chapter in our own philanthropy," said Diane Lipson Schilit. “Seeing the thriving community at UF and understanding the challenges Jewish students face today, we knew this was our opportunity to ensure that future generations of Jewish Gators have a home and a community that will sustain them."
Diane is a UF Hillel Board Member, a former Hillel International board member, and UF alumna. She brings decades of Jewish communal leadership to this gift. The Schilits are also active members of the Jewish communities in Washington, D.C. and Miami, Florida.
“As a long-term stock investor, I’ve learned to recognize potential,” said Howard Schilit. “We see tremendous opportunity for University of Florida’s Hillel to become a national model, and Diane and I are excited to make that vision a reality and watch, with pride, as Hillel grows from strength-to-strength.”
The campaign supports renovations to Norman H. Lipoff Hall, the Hillel facility that opened 21 years ago and has seen record levels of engagement. The first phase of the renovations was completed last summer with construction of the Stuzin Family Outdoor Pavilion. Next up is the ground floor renovation scheduled to begin in May 2026. The campaign will also establish new endowment funds to support Schilit Hillel’s program in perpetuity.
“Diane and Howard's extraordinary generosity and vision will ensure that UF Hillel remains a vibrant cornerstone of Jewish life on campus for generations to come,” said Lander Gold, Board President of Schilit Hillel. “Their leadership reflects a deep commitment to the current and future of Jewish students at the University of Florida and sets a powerful example for others to follow.”
"UF has become a destination for students seeking both academic excellence and a flourishing Jewish community, and this extraordinary gift from Diane and Howard will take Jewish life at UF to the next level," said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of Hillel International. "This investment demonstrates confidence in UF Hillel's work and sets an inspiring example for others who want to make a lasting impact on Jewish student life at public universities."
