The Hillel Year

During the 1972-73 academic year, the Dartmouth Hillel experienced a greater increase in its active membership than in many previous years. This enabled the organization to engage in numerous and varied activities over the three terms, which benefited not only the members but individuals of all faiths from the Dartmouth community as well.

During the winter, the Friday night services held in Rollins Chapel continued and the organization had two major functions, a Sabbath dinner in January and a weekend of activities at the end of February which was led by Jerry Benjamin of Network, a national Jewish students organization. The latter coincided with Freshman Fathers Weekend and a number of parents were able to attend a Hillel brunch.

As soon as the spring term began, members of the group became busy with preparations for the Passover holiday. As a result, an unprecedented 45 students attended the first night seder, and a substantial number of them were able to keep Kosher during the week of the holiday by arrangement with Thayer dining hall. May will wind up the Hillel's activities for the academic year with a period of discussion and workshops led by Joel Walters '71, a past president of the Hillel, who is presently running a day-care center in Cleveland, Ohio.

There are several underlying concerns which have occupied Hillel members throughout the year. One basic motive has been an effort to raise the Jewish consciousness and create more of a sense of community among Jewish students at Dartmouth. In this capacity, the most important campaign has been the attempt to acquire an on-campus Hillel House where Jewish students would be able to keep Kosher during the school year if they desired, where all members of the Dartmouth campus could have access to the growing Judaics library, and where several students might be able to live.

As this goes to press, the College administration has informed Hillel officers that such a house will be available at 29 South Park St. starting in the fall. This is a fitting culmination to a very full year for the Hillel. The members are presently encouraging communications from any alumni or other persons who would be interested in being more personally informed of Hillel activities, and who might also have suggestions for the future. Such individuals can contact the Dartmouth Hillel by writing to: Hinman Box 5051, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. 03755.