Brick by Brick: Building the Jewish Future
by SARA RUBINFELD, Development Manager at Hillel at University of Delaware
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Under a stunning autumn sky, a diverse group of students, board members, donors, staff, and the Delaware Jewish community came together to celebrate the groundbreaking of Hillel at the University of Delaware’s long-anticipated expansion. Since 2020, the number of Jewish Blue Hens has surged, with over 2,250 Jewish students—roughly 13% of the student body—now calling UD home.
In response to this growing community, the visionary members of the Hillel at UD Board of Directors, supported by dedicated long-term donors, initiated a capital campaign to bring a new 18,000-square-foot facility to life at the University of Delaware. The groundbreaking ceremony marked a significant milestone in the “Building the Jewish Future” campaign, which has successfully raised $9.5 million toward its $12 million goal to date.
The event featured speeches from Todd Kristol, President of the Hillel at UD Board of Directors; Dr. Laura Carlson, Interim President of the University of Delaware; and donors Stuart Grant and Neil Book. The campaign has secured three major contributions of over $1 million each from Stuart and Suzanne Grant, the Kristol Family, and the Book Family. In honor of their transformative leadership gift, the new facility will be named the Stuart and Suzanne Grant Hillel at the Kristol Center for Jewish Life.
“This new Hillel building is not just a building. Rather, it is where the next generation of Jewish leaders will be trained,” said Stuart and Suzanne Grant. “It is where those students with just a spark of Jewish identity will go to explore their Jewish journey. It is where Jewish students at UD will gather in times of joy and in times of crisis. The building will be beautiful. But the true beauty is what will go on inside these walls. That is the investment we have chosen to make.”
“Breaking ground on this new facility is an incredibly meaningful moment for our community,” said Donna Schwartz, Executive Director of Hillel at UD. “This building represents our commitment to providing Jewish students with a welcoming home where they can explore their identity, build lasting friendships, and create meaningful connections to Jewish life. We’re grateful to our donors, board members, and community partners who have brought this to life.”
The new building will replace the existing Kristol Center for Jewish Life and will include a large event hall capable of seating 250 students for Shabbat dinners, small study rooms, lounge areas—including a rooftop deck—and a Beit Midrash. Construction is anticipated to be completed by December 2026.
We’re thrilled to see this project quickly move from vision to reality,” said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of Hillel International. “The Stuart and Suzanne Grant Hillel at the Kristol Center for Jewish Life will provide Jewish students with the space and resources they need to thrive—not just during their college years, but as they build a lifelong sense of belonging in the Jewish community. This groundbreaking is a testament to the dedication of donors, staff, and students who believe in the importance of Jewish life on campus.”
For more information about the campaign or to donate, visit www.delawarehillelcampaign.org.
