By Rabbi Jeremy R. Weisblatt, Campus Director, Kristol Center for Jewish Life at UD
I think it was my abba (z”l) who showed me Field of Dreams. In the years that followed that evening, I always thought the focus was on the field itself—the need to have the space to create community. In the last few years, however, I think I missed something beneath the surface. As much as it is important to have the space, the building, a gathering place for community, it is just as important to create the community that will call that space home.
In this pivotal moment for the Kristol Center for Jewish Life, we find ourselves at this crossroads. We’ve done the second half—we’ve built the community. And as a result, we’ve well outgrown our “field.” It is time to build it.
Jewish life at the University of Delaware is vibrant and growing. We are welcoming over 100 students to Shabbat each week—sometimes more than 200—filling every corner of our building and beyond. Students pack hallways, crowd into side rooms, and we serve in shifts just to make sure everyone is fed and seen. We never turn anyone away—but there’s something to be said for having enough space to turn.
That overflowing energy isn’t limited to Friday nights. Most evenings, we have three to four programs at once, ranging from learning cohorts to wellness gatherings to leadership meetings. Jewish fraternities and sororities want to use our space. So do Israel groups and interfaith partners. But far too often, we simply don’t have the room. Our staff has also grown, as has student demand—but our physical space hasn’t kept pace. We’re bursting at the seams, but we don’t stop!
We’re meeting students where they are—bringing Jewish life into the freshmen dorms, expanding our Pop-Up Shabbat events around campus, and growing our Jewish learning cohorts. Our three pro-Israel student groups are thriving and our multifaith collaborations are opening powerful new doors for dialogue and shared purpose. And with great hope and excitement, we’re planning the return of immersive travel to Israel this winter.
We’re excited and full of hope as we continue to engage the students and build on the momentum of our campaign launch in May. If you haven’t yet, I invite you to participate and support the shaping of the next generation of Jews and Jewish life at UD. Let’s build something lasting. Let’s build the field.
Photos provided by University of Delaware Hillel
