Hillel Foundation Jewish Student Center

I have attended and graduated from 3 Universities (Iowa, Texas A&M, and Cal) and was involved with each of their Hillel activities. This one is both the most interesting one. After I graduated, I would still stop by during the High Holy Days as a prayer option. And when you combine the services of Lehrhaus Judaica «Downstairs», it’s a Jewish learning combination that can’t be beat.

I like my Judaism conservative AND nonjudgemental. Which means I’m hard to please. Hillel’s done it, though. Been going there for 7 years now (whoa, I really AM getting old) and it’s always a pleasure — from breaking the fast heartily in the Boalt Hall courtyard to getting all the dirt on Birthright to Tashlich at Strawberry Creek to meeting other young Jews (which I rarely do). Plus, they do it all on a pretty shoestring budget, but don’t get snotty when you can’t or won’t donate.

For some cosmic reason, almost all my friends I made in the dorms were Jewish. Perhaps its that my mother is and they seem more familiar. So I wound up being invited regularly to Friday night shabbas. I’m a rather strict agnostic, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
What I like about the atmosphere at hillel was that it was incredibly open and welcoming and not at all preachy (even though we were at a service). They have all 3 services for students (orthodox, traditional and reform) and then all eat together. I’ve been to all the various types of services and me being the total blonde schicksa had the best time in orthodox. When we came together for a meal it was wonderfully friendly and warm and welcoming.
Anyways, Hillel gets 5 stars for being great, funny, welcoming, kind and generous to strangers. If only we could all be such menschen.