RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HILLEL ON THEIR CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HILLEL ON THEIR CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S756] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HILLEL ON THEIR CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the centennial of Hillel at the University of Michigan. When it was founded in 1926, Michigan Hillel was the fourth Hillel to be established in North America. As a center for Jewish life, the University of Michigan Hillel not only provides programming and a physical space where students can observe their faith and celebrate their community. Arising out a need for a growing Jewish student population to find familiarity and fellowship, Hillel provided a foundation for carrying forward their cultural and social traditions into adulthood and to future generations. Whether it be celebrating Shabbat, the High Holidays, or any day in-between, Hillel has provided a forum to encourage Jewish students to more fully engage with and explore their identity. This important work has and continues to help shape the Jewish American identity. Hillel's impact extends far beyond its Jewish religious and cultural programming. Hillel provides students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills and engage with the broader campus community, by encouraging student-driven engagement on campus and beyond. Dozens of student groups have grown out of and are supported by Hillel, providing educational programming partnering with other social, educational, and cultural groups within the university ecosystem. Hillel has left an imprint on the university's legacy. Hillel supported producing the first performance of then-student, now renowned playwright, Arthur Miller in 1937. In the 1960s, Hillel encouraged students to engage in the great societal debates of the Civil Rights era, including the Vietnam war, helping to shape the discussion on campus. More recently, in the 1980s, has continued its mission of encouraging student engagement in the intellectual debates of the university community, exemplified by its support of Consider Magazine, which highlights topics of interest to the Michigan community and enables a presentation of many perspectives on those topics. Given the passion with which Hillel has pursued its mission and commitment to the university community, it is not surprising it has received several awards, including the Outstanding Campus award by Hillel International in 2020. It is a testament to Michigan Hillel's success that University of Michigan is recognized as one of the best schools in the country for Jewish students. I congratulate Michigan Hillel on reaching this great milestone in its history and wish it, its current students, and alumni continued success and meaningful engagement in fulfilling its mission. ____________________