הלל ספיר זכה בפרס מאירהוף

צילום: איל מצליח

בתחרות שנערכה בוושינגטון די. סי. ארה"ב בחודש דצמבר 2008, במסגרת הכנס השנתי של ארגון הלל העולמי, זכה בית הלל במכללה האקדמית ספיר בפרס הראשון, על שמו של ג'וזף מאירהוף. וזהו נימוק השופטים בתחרות על הענקת הפרס (באנגלית):

Vision and Values Awards:  The Joseph Meyerhoff Award For

Meaningful Jewish Experience

Hillel at Sapir College

Nominated Hillels in this category demonstrated how a single initiative or the integration of multiple experiences increased the number of students on their campuses having meaningful Jewish experiences.  

In particular, the award committee examined nominations to assess whether initiatives generated exciting and challenging educational content that engaged and connected students to Jewish values, Jewish life, and the global Jewish peoplehood.

To double the number of students involved in meaningful Jewish experiences, Hillels need to provide opportunities to learn and explore Jewish values; then build experiences and relationships that empower students to be leaders with visions that enrich their campus and local communities.

Given the current global crises relating to the environment and security, the two Jewish values of hesed and tzedakah, or lovingkindness and charity, have become particularly important in building ecological awareness and community volunteerism not just within Hillel’s campus communities but also within their local communities, as well.

Hillels that exemplify hesed and tzedakah do much more than gather clothes for the homeless or encourage greater recycling on campus.  They generate and share g’mach experiences, or acts of lovingkindness, which enrich not just individuals and communities in need but also those who are volunteering or giving.

The traditional relationship of charity in which - those who have - give to - those who have not - is transformed into partnerships in which everyone in the community feels as if they are part of a larger purpose.

For creating meaningful Jewish experiences for hundreds of students and community members, we are proud to give the first Joseph Meyerhoff Award for Meaningful Jewish Experience to Hillel at Sapir College in S’derot, Israel.