<p>I just read a reference to both Hillel and Chabad. Can anyone explain the difference between these two organizations? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hillel is the predominant Jewish student organizations on most college campuses. It can vary in size from a few students to very large groups that provide activities and religious services for college students. When it is large enough, there can even be a choice denominations- Conservative, Reform… It coordinates holiday celebrations, Kosher meals if available, alternative spring breaks.
Chabad is an outreach program sponsored by Chabad Lubavitch which is a division of Orthodox Judaism. It is more family style as the Rabbi and his family live in the Chabad house and interact with the students. They provide home cooked Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations. While the Rabbi and his family are orthodox, they are not stringent with the students. The Chabad houses I have visited are warm, accepting, and pretty laid back. Students can come in their regular school clothes- even jeans. The Rabbi’s I have met tend to be young and enjoy the company of college students who can feel like part of the family- sometimes playing with the kids while the parents prepare for Shabbat. Some Chabad services are open to the community while Hillel primarily serves students.
Participation in both can vary. On some campuses, the Chabad house can even be as active as Hillel, and on others, the students attend either one, sometimes going to one or the other. Some students may have a stronger preference for one over the other. Both organizations sponsor Birthright trips, learning programs, and I’ve seen where both will deliver chicken soup to a sick student if called.
The best way for a student to see if either Hillel or Chabad fits them is to visit and see. </p>
<p>Thank you for that detailed explanation, Pennylane. I also really didn’t know the details of each organization. Hillel gets most of the press at Tulane. They are one of those that delivers chicken soup (maybe matzo ball as well??). The Hillel House at Tulane was completely renovated and had a grand opening not all that long ago, maybe last fall? Time flies, I forget when. But the photos looked spectacular. And while it is smaller, I think the Chabad house was recently renovated also? Not sure, I might be confusing it with the Catholic house. I only remember someone besides Hillel recently renovated fairly extensively. Which to me says that there is quite active student participation in these kinds of organizations still, which in this day and age might be a bit surprising to some. There is also an Episcopal Chapel across the street from Newcomb Hall that actively serves the Lutheran community as well (and I believe other religious groups use the facility for worship).</p>
<p>I think it’s good that these organizations are there to support students, and I’m glad to see students participating in them. The organizations also serve to help them feel at home when they are far away from family. The familiarity of their own holidays and rituals is a support, even if they question religion like some college students do.
Not sure if there are matzo balls in the chicken soup or not. That might vary according to campus and holidays. It does add some punch to that Jewish penicillin. </p>
<p>Thanks, pennylane, for the explanation! </p>
<p>A timely article given the discussion! <a href=“http://www.nola.com/mardigras/index.ssf/2014/02/tulane_hillels_kosher_king_dav.html”>Mardi Gras | NOLA.com;
<p>I love this post… thank you for the info. I’m going to bookmark this post and hold onto it for future reference… we may need it!</p>