By Sara Rubinfeld, Development Manager at Hillel at University of Delaware
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College is a time of growth and reinvention for so many young people. This is their first time away from home, and they are developing an independent sense of self and discovering new interests and concerns.
Here at the Grant Hillel, we are investing in student health and wellness in a big way. It starts with our Freshmen Impact program. A group of freshmen comes together weekly to learn leadership skills, the ins and outs of UD, and how to get the most out of their four years on campus. But the support continues throughout a student’s time on campus.
Throughout the year, with the cooperation of student leaders and staff, we now offer “Wellness Wednesdays.” This is a weekly program focused on an activity that relieves stress and provides a positive outlet for our students. In the past, these programs have included movie nights, de-stress coloring, resume prep, visits from the UD Puppyraisers Club ahead of midterms and final exams, bracelet making, tie-dye, and more.
Additionally, during the fall semester, we introduced a Krav Maga program to campus. We are proud of the 42 students who joined us for the class series, learning about Jewish pride, confidence, situational awareness, de-escalation, and self-defense. We are excited to bring the program back this semester and look forward to involving more students in this important initiative.
Our support for students doesn’t happen only inside Hillel; it happens all over campus. Our student engagement team meets with Jewish Blue Hens daily to get to know them and check in. During the fall semester, they met more than 120 students for a cup of coffee and a one-to-one chat. We have 20 students meeting weekly with Rabbi Jeremy Weisblatt, Campus Director for counseling and learning.
The project which always gets accolades from our students, parents, and the UD campus community at large is the Matzah Ball Soup Hotline! This is a one-hundred percent free, volunteer-run project. The service that we provide allows UD parents to send a homemade quart of matzah ball soup to any Blue Hen student who is feeling unwell. We are extremely appreciative of our student interns who run this program. They cook and deliver hundreds of quarts of soup each semester. We like to think of it like a long-distance hug when your student isn’t feeling well.
“At Grant Hillel, student wellness is intertwined with our values, community (kehillah), care (chesed), and mutual responsibility (areyvut). We create a welcoming, supportive space where every student feels they belong and care for their whole selves. Through our programs, relationships, and daily presence, we prioritize connection, compassion, and support so students can grow and thrive.” —Haddie Daner, Grant Hillel Student Engagement Team
To learn more about how we care for our students, consider following us on social media or visiting our website, www.udhillel.org. Instagram: @udhillel; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UDHillel
