RIT Hillel Increases Awareness of Israeli Culture and Current Events

Open communication about Israel is goal of program

To open the doors of communication about Israeli culture and events, Rochester Institute of Technology’s Hillel is kicking off the year with a campaign for Israel activism.

From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 15, Hillel is sponsoring an Israeli Culture Night in the Skalny Room of the Interfaith Center. A night filled with Israeli food, music, and dancing, it will offer a chance to experience life as an Israeli student. Also in the program will be a short presentation on some of Hillel's student trips to Israel. Admission is $2 and the event is open to the public.

From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 22, Relentless: The Struggle For Peace in Israel, will be shown in the Van Peursen auditorium in the Gosnell Building. Produced by Honest Reporting and Palestinian Media Watch, the video is described as an “an eye-opening documentary which unravels the myths and exposes the obstacles to achieving peace in the Middle-East.” It will be followed by a moderated question and answer session supported by the Hasbara Fellowship. The event is free and open to the public. Hillel also holds discussion forums at 10 p.m. every Wednesday in the Hillel House in Colby Residence Hall. Begun in fall 2003, discussion topics range from what incited the second intifada to recent developments in security and peace efforts. Their purpose is to emphasize, enforce and explain Hillel’s position on the subject and to continue open discussion.

Hillel is a nationally recognized Jewish student organization with the mission to foster and promote education, service, community and religion. At RIT, Hillel strives to build friendship and awareness.