From Generation to Generation

A Capital Campaign for the Jewish Future at Indiana University

Street View

Help us Complete a Capital Campaign to Provide a New “Jewish Home Away From Home”

IU Hillel is on the cusp of a new era with a brand new building in the middle of campus. Not only will this encourage Jewish students at IU to participate in the Hillel offerings, but it will undoubtedly serve as a reason for Jewish students to come to IU. With 60 days left in the campaign, I believe it is imperative that we leverage what is going on at IU to inspire parents and alumni to donate to Hillel.
— Sheri Rosen, parent of son IU Class of 2027
  • Our goal is to raise just over $1M in the next 2 months to help Hillel reach the goal of $10M.

  • We hope to complete this campaign by the Winter of 2023.

  • We intend to begin construction in the Spring of 2024 and move into our new facility at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.

We’re Growing: The Jewish student population at IU has grown from 2,000 to more than 4,500 in the past 25 years

We’re Outgrowing: The current building, built in 1993, is too small and cannot be renovated to meet our current or future needs.

Location, Location, Location! The new location at 11th and Woodlawn is in the center of IU, across the way from the Kelley School of Business and the O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA), and near to Psychology and Informatics buildings, all popular majors among Jewish Students.

Close to the heart of the Greek community and residence halls, including Foster, Briscoe, McNutt, Walnut Grove and Collins.

Enhancing and Elevating Jewish Campus Life: IU Hillel will be the heart of Jewish life and Jewish community on the IU campus. IU stands with Hillel to increase knowledge and awareness of Jewish culture and the global Jewish people.

 Support Us

Help Make our Dream a Reality

The mission of Hillel is to provide a place for Jewish life and Jewish community on campus. The new Hillel will be the home base for:

Creating a strong, vibrant Jewish community.

Ensuring that Jewish college students will have opportunities to develop leadership skills and connect with Judaism in traditional and creative ways.

A strong anchor in the center of campus to educate the campus community about Judaism, combat antisemitism, and provide a welcoming environment for the entire IU campus to engage with IU’s Jewish community.

Providing a warm, relaxing home away from home, including flexible multi-purpose spaces; a full-service kosher dining room, exhibition/interactive space, a sports grill, and outdoor recreational space.

Increasing our space from 9900 sq. feet to 20,000-30,000 sq. feet

Please contact Judith at judith@iuhillel.org if interested in giving to the Capital Campaign.


When our twins decided to come from LA, Hillel was a major part of their decision. Since they’ve been here, Hillel has become their home away from home. It has allowed them to grow as students, Jews and human beings. Our third child will be a freshman in the Fall and Hillel is a big reason he is coming to IU, like a growing number of Jewish students in LA.
— Betsy Borns and Jonathan Shapiro

Betsy Borns (right) with Rabbi Sue Silberberg


 Our Story

TIMELINE:

1938 - Indiana University Hillel was founded with the strong support of Herman B. Wells

1989 - Rabbi Sue Silberberg took the position of Executive Director of IU Hillel. As a graduate of IU, it was her dream to create the Hillel home for IU students that she never had. She was honored for 30 years of service with a celebration in 2019.

1993 - The current IU Hillel building (Helene G. Simon Hillel Center) opened.

1998 - Rabbi Sue was recognized for Promoting Diversity and Fighting Against Bigotry and Hate by President Clinton at the White House.

1999 - IU Hillel and Bloomington United received the Nancy Howard Diversity Award for Actions to Improve the Environment in our County from the City of Bloomington.

1999 - IU Hillel received the Haber Award for Programs of Quality for the Jewish Campus Community from Hillel International.

2001 - Rabbi Sue became an Honorary Member of the IU Residence Halls Alumni Association.

2004 - IU Hillel received the Haber Award for Mentoring Program from Hillel International.

2006 - Hooshir, IU Hillel’s Premier A Cappella Group performed at President and First Lady Bush’s Chanukah Celebration at the White House.

2007 - IU Hillel received the Haber Award for Building Bridges to the Future from Hillel International.

2007 - Rabbi Sue received the Council for Advancing Student Leadership Mentor of the Year Award from Indiana University.

2008 - Rabbi Sue received the Torchbearer Award from the State of Indiana Commission for Women.

2008 - Rabbi Sue received the Frank H. Newman Award for Professional Excellence from the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis.

2012 - Rabbi Sue received the Council for Advancing Student Leadership Award from Indiana University.

2012 - IU Hillel received the Schreck Community Award from the Indiana University Division of Student Affairs.

2015 - IU Hillel received the Best Israel Campaign of the Year Award from Students Supporting Israel.

2022 - Rabbi Sue was named a Commissioner on the State of Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

2022 - IU Hillel received the Sharon Greene Award for Campus Advocacy for Leading the Charge Against Antisemitism on Campus with Courage, Determination and Creativity from the American Jewish Committee.


From the first Shabbat of my freshman year, IU Hillel has been somewhere that I can always find a community of caring, welcoming people. Our Hillel has let me explore my Judaism and meet other Jewish students that share the same pride and love for our religion and culture.
— Sydney Auerbach, Class of 2022

 Renderings


Hillel eased the transition into college life for me, and made a very large campus feel a whole lot smaller. For four beautiful years, it was nothing short of home to me. Hillel is where I met some of my closest friends, where I honed my leadership skills as a member of the student board, where I explored my Judaism, and where I formed my best college memories. In the Fall of my sophomore year, I met a very cute grad student at Hillel, and next year, we will celebrate 22 years of marriage.
— Brett Stern, IU Class of 1998

 Naming Opportunities/ Make a Gift Today

Help Make our Dream a Reality

The mission of Hillel is to provide a place for Jewish life and Jewish community on campus. The new Hillel will be the home base for:

● Creating a strong, vibrant Jewish community.

● Ensuring that Jewish college students will have opportunities to develop leadership skills and connect with Judaism in traditional and creative ways.

● A strong anchor in the center of campus to educate the campus community about Judaism, combat antisemitism, and provide a welcoming environment for the entire IU campus to engage with IU’s Jewish community.

● Providing a warm, relaxing home away from home, including flexible multi-purpose spaces; a full-service kosher dining room, exhibition/interactive space, a sports grill, and outdoor recreational space.

● Increasing our space from 9900 sq. feet to 20,000-30,000 sq. feet

All gifts are irrevocable and payable over a 3-year period.

Major gift opportunities are available. Please contact judith@iuhillel.org/812.345.3332 or rabbisue@iuhillel.org/812.325.2898 for more information.



The new Hillel is incredibly important to me and every other Jewish student on IU’s campus. By having such a strong and supportive center that is oriented for Jewish life, I feel comfortable and proud to broadcast my Judaism and take part in the culture that I have grown up with. Hillel has fostered such a place for me and continues to do so for every single student that walks through our doors.
— RACHEL APPLEFIELD, IU CLASS OF 2025

Rachel Applefield