Volunteer with Hillel
Often in Judaism, we discuss doing mitzvahs and giving tzedakah. Most of us understand that a mitzvah is a “good deed”, but do we understand tzedakah? How do we translate tzedakah? How is it defined? In truth, it is an untranslatable concept. Some will say it means “charity”. However, there is a distinction to be made here. Charity is often associated with caring or sympathy; it is an act born out of compassion, and perhaps, pity. Tzedakah is not an act born of emotion, but rather, an obligation. In the Jewish religion, tzedakah is an imperative; one is encouraged to perform “good deeds”, not because one feels pity or one finds it rewarding, but because it is the right thing to do. A closer translation of tzedakah would be “justice”; justice should be at the root of our reasons for volunteering. With this webpage, we hope to help you connect with service opportunities that allow you to forge connections with your community and help those in need.
UW Hillel offers many volunteer opportunities throughout the year such as:
Alternative Breaks
Spend your school break making a difference in the lives of others. Travel with other UW Hillel students to a community in need, work on a service project, and get the chance to explore world.Contact Ilana for info about our upcoming trips and visit the UW Hillel Alternative Break webpage.
Capitol Lakes Shabbat
Friday each month, Hillel brings UW students to the Capitol Lakes retirement community to celebrate Shabbat with songs, challah and sharing in a small, intimate community. The Shabbat gathering is led by students and by Rabbi Andrea Steinberger. It is a great opportunity to connect with an older generation and help to create a wonderful inter-generational community. Hillel is a proud partner with Madison’s Jewish Social Services on this program. No experience is necessary! For more information about this group contact Rabbi Andrea Steinberger.
Challah for Hunger
An international not for profit organization that promotes awareness and provides assistance for global hunger and disaster relief through sales from baked challot, the traditional Jewish egg bread. The UW-Madison chapter is a registered student group that will bake almost 100 loaves each week and proceeds from the weekly challah baking go to the AJWS's Sudan Relief and Advocacy Fund as well as a organization of the group's choosing. For more information visit the Challah for Hunger webpage.
Love Your Neighbor: Day of Service
Join us for a day of community service and involvement on Sunday, October 16, 2011! It’s a great way to give back and improve the world around you.There will be several different volunteer sights around the UW campus and Madison community. If you would like to sign up for the Day of Service or woudl like more information contact Ilana.
UW Hillel Badger Volunteers
A semester-long program run through the UW Morgridge Center where a group of students volunteers together each week. In the past the Hillel Badger Volunteers group as volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank and Schools of Hope - Wright Middle School. For more information contact Ilana.
Capitol Lakes Shabbat
Tzedek, tzedek, you shall pursue – Deuteronomy 16:20 – צֶדֶק צֶדֶק, תִּרְדֹּף
For more information on how you can make a difference through volunteering with Hillel email Ilana.