RHCIE Student Leaders Perspective

Julia Cinnamon: Lobbing for Israel on Campus As most students were hustling around finalizing class schedules and picking up books for the fall semester, Freshman Julia Cinnamon was spending her first days on campus in the Rutgers Hillel Center for Israel Engagement (RHCIE) talking to Lihi, Tzvi, and Raffi Mark 13’, Israel Chair at Rutgers Hillel student board, about starting a new organization on Campus. Rutgers is known for its large Jewish population, however, in recent years Anti-Semitic hostility has made it difficult at times to show support for Israel. But this year the RHCIE has been fast at work with various projects, events, and a new organization, Rutgers Israel Public Affairs Committee (RIPAC).

RIPAC’s goal is to advocate on the Rutgers campus for a strong bond between the United States and Israel. RIPAC’s board is known as a cadre. Each member of the cadre plays a specific role from the Campus Curriculum Coordinator to the Campus Legislative Coordinator. Through a kickoff event and volunteering at Federation Super Sundays, RIPAC will build a strong presence in the community and on campus with the aim of strengthening the America-Israel relationship (see a video). Meetings next semester will be held at 8PM on Wednesday at Hillel. Contact Julia Cinnamon for more information and ways to get involved, Cinnamonjulia@aol.com

Daniel Levi: A Student Activist Comments on RHCIE
 I came to Rutgers University knowing that I wanted to get involved on campus. After participating in a pilot Israel leadership program run by Rachel Hodes and Amanda Cove at Hillel, I joined its planning committee and helped to facilitate the program. By participating in the planning and facilitation of what became known as Hillel's Israel Leadership Initiative (HILI), I was able to learn about and deepen my love for Israel while learning about the challenges of leadership. During the last two years, HILI has taught me and others, through a very structured and engaging methodology. During the past two years, the pilot program in which I was originally involved has grown and transformed into a significant force.  This year, with the help and guidance of the newly created Rutgers Hillel Center for Israel Engagement (RHCIE), we have been able to create an advanced program called HILI-Plus for students who have considerable knowledge of Israel but want to take the discussion a step further. The help and guidance RHCIE provides us with is immeasurable. It allows us to finely tune  ideas and take them beyond what we would achieve without their mentorship.Sign up for HILI