Each year, KU Hillel provides leadership experiences for Jewish college students. As part of its mission to develop the next generation of Jewish adults, this is an integral part of the KU Hillel community. From internships covering social media strategy to planning Shabbat dinners for over a hundred peers, students are able to learn real-life skills and create their own leadership style.
With KU Hillel’s staff/student partnership in mind, internship opportunities change each semester to best support the needs and interests of students. Previous years have included Hillel Fresh interns, who delivered Shabbat and holiday meals to students in quarantine, and data interns who planned the logistics and delivery of Shabboxes (Shabbat boxes) for Rock Chalk Shabbat.
This year’s interns are looking forward to planning safe, in-person programming and creating that feeling of hachnasat orchim (welcoming) as Jayhawks return to campus and KU Hillel’s new home, said Executive Director Suzy Sostrin.
“KU Hillel is so fortunate to be overflowing with incredible student leaders who work in partnership with our staff team to continue to make KU a destination school for Jewish students across the United States and abroad,” Sostrin said. “Each year I am so impressed with our students’ creativity and leadership skills.”
These internships make long-lasting impacts on the Jewish community through providing connections, friendships and more, said senior, Corey Cohn.
“I can’t wait to use the skills I have learned while being a part of KU Hillel in my professional and social adult life,” Cohn said.
New for this school year is a group of interns referred to as the “KU Hillel Ambassadors.”
According to Sostrin, this cohort of students will continue to create the vibrant Jewish community KU Hillel is known for. They cannot wait to welcome all the freshman and returning students. This new cohort of students will be working very closely with Sostrin and Program Director Ally Fabes to continue to grow our thriving Jewish community through outreach and innovative programming.
“We have amazing student leaders who truly embody hachnasat orchim. Their energy is contagious, and I am so excited to be working with them,” Sostrin said.
KU Hillel’s programming starts with the beginning of school, August 23, followed by a week of welcome events on campus and at Hillel’s new location at 1101 Indiana Street.