​The UW Hillel works at many levels to engage today's Jewish students on their own terms. By offering a diverse range of creative and innovative programs, organizations and activities, we hope to provoke them to become involved in Jewish life. It is our hope that they will choose to celebrate and explore their Jewish identities in ways that are meaningful and appealing to them.  Our programs are held in dormitories, in the public spaces on campus and at Hillel as our staff strives to meet students in their own environments and comfort zones.

Through programming and activities, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own Jewish identity; whether they wish to participate in community service, express themselves artistically, participate in a social event, engage in formal Jewish learning or attend religious services. We create a broad understanding of what it means to be Jewish by providing a caring environment for students to grow religiously, socially and ethically. Visit our calendar of events to find out what's happening at the UW Hillel Foundation.

The UW Hillel staff are always available to meet one-on-one with students who are interested in exploring their own Jewish identity or to talk about their experience on campus. 

Our Mission
Hillel at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is home to over 5,000 Jewish students on campus and provides programs and activities for the campus community at large. Our building is located in the heart of the UW campus and downtown Madison and provides a home and support to over 30 independent student organizations. 

Every expression of Jewish life is represented: religious, cultural, political, traditional and alternative.  Hillel enables University of Wisconsin Jewish students to have a voice in their community - one that helps them maintain their ties to Judaism.

Governance of UW Hillel
The Hillel Foundation at the University of Wisconsin, inc. (UW Hillel) is the second oldest Hillel Foundation in the world, founded in 1924, immediately after the Hillel at the University of Illinois.  UW Hillel is an independent non-profit organization with an independent board of directors.  The Board and its Executive Director are solely responsible for the policies and practices of the UW Hillel. 

UW Hillel reflects ninety years of committed service to Jewish life at the UW as represented by the varied interests and experiences of the Jewish students, the faculty and staff of the University of Wisconsin and the ideals that make the university, the city of Madison, and State of Wisconsin an important and great place. While we are part of the larger international Hillel system, we are independent, have always been, and will continue to be so. We hold our mission, our independence, and our self-governance to be sacrosanct.

We recognize our unique role with our many Jewish communal partners, including but not limited to, the Jewish Federation of Madison, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and Hillel International.

UW Hillel sets its own policies based on our values, our community, and its traditions.  In doing so, we take the history, culture and teachings of our community to heart.  As we do, we also affirm our role and commitment to Jewish life and Judaism, in its totality, and to the idea of life in the Academy of higher learning as guideposts for our work. 

Our commitment to our mission and independent governance holds true as we take to heart the inclusive message of our namesake and the deep commitments to intellectual discourse at the university, perhaps most recognized by the Wisconsin Tradition of “Sifting and Winnowing” and the Jewish concept sheilot v tshuvot or “questions and answers.”  Our commitment to Jewish student life is deep and strong.  Our concern for students and the development of their identity, intellect, and spirit are held at the highest regard.

To those who ask what is Hillel?   The UW Hillel is here to serve the totality of Jewish campus life.   Just as we have asked for the past ninety years, we now ask that you think critically, be passionate and participatory, and challenge yourself and others to make a difference in our community and the world at large.