irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $98KFRESHFEST: FRESHFEST IS THE LARGEST PRE-ORIENTATION PROGRAM AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, HOSTED BY SYRACUSE HILLEL. STUDENTS THAT SIGN UP FOR FRESHFEST WILL HAVE ACCESS TO EARLY MOVE-IN, BE GUIDED BY AN UPPERCLASS STUDENT MENTOR, AND PARTICIPATE IN TWO DAYS OF ACTIVITIES THAT HELP THEM GET ACCLIMATED TO CAMPUS. PAST ACTIVITIES HAVE INCLUDED FIELD TRIPS TO LOCAL ATTRACTIONS AND PARKS, WELCOME BREAKFAST FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND ICE BREAKER TYPE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.
- #2 $53KISRAEL PROGRAM: SYRACUSE HILLEL SEEKS TO PROVIDE EVERY JEWISH STUDENT WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE AND BUILD AN ENDURING RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL. SYRACUSE HILLEL OFFERS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH ISRAEL INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: ISRAEL LEARNING FELLOWSHIP (ILF) IS HILLEL'S 8 WEEK LEARNING FELLWOSHIP FRO STUDENTS LOOKING TO DIVE DEEPER INTO ISRAELI CULTURE, POLITICS, AND HISTORY, SPEAKERS FOCUSED ON ISRAEL RELATED TOPICS, ISRAEL TRIPS, AND ISRAEL CULTURAL PROGRAMS.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Birthright Israel
Free 10-day educational trips to Israel for Jewish students, offered during winter break and after the spring semester, to connect students with Israeli culture and heritage.
Community Engagement Interns (CEI)
Student leadership program where interns build relationships with Jewish peers and connect them to meaningful Jewish experiences on campus.
FreshFest
Pre-orientation program for incoming Syracuse University students that includes early move-in, three days of programming, mentorship from returning students, and community-building activities.
High Holidays Observance
Religious services and meals for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, including Tashlich, Kol Nidrei, Neilah, and break-the-fast events.
Israel Learning Fellowship (ILF)
Eight-week cohort-based learning program exploring Israel's history, culture, diversity, and ethos for students interested in deepening their understanding of the Jewish state.
Learning Fellowships
Semester-based cohort programs such as the Jewish Learning Fellowship, Tzedek Learning Fellowship, and Jewish Values and Leadership, combining study, discussion, and meals.
Shabbat Programming
Weekly Shabbat services and free kosher dinners hosted every Friday at the Hillel Center, open to all students.
activities · 12 groups
What they do
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Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 1 activity
- Deliver cohort-based Jewish learning programsOffers structured learning programs lasting 4 to 9 weeks that include meals and optional stipends upon completion, fostering deeper engagement with Jewish life and values.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Engage board and alumni in organizational governance and supportBoard members contribute financially and participate in governance through committee service and meetings; alumni are engaged across all graduating classes to sustain long-term involvement.
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Nonprofit Internship Programs 1 activity
- Engage students through internships and relationship-buildingEmploys engagement interns to build relationships with Jewish students, connect them to meaningful opportunities, and plan initiatives grounded in Jewish values.
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Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
- Facilitate student trips to IsraelOffers free 10-day and 11-day educational trips to Israel for Jewish students, focused on exploring Jewish identity, history, culture, and Israeli society.
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Jewish Holiday and Shabbat Community Events 1 activity
- Host holiday and religious observance programsOrganizes and hosts holiday events including Rosh Hashanah services with lunch, Yom Kippur pre-fast and break-the-fast meals, Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur services, and educational sessions with clergy.
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Campus Facility Operations and Management 1 activity
- Operate campus facility for Jewish student lifeManages a 16,000 square-foot facility serving over 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students, providing a central hub for Jewish life, learning, and community engagement at Syracuse University.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Organize student engagement and social programmingHosts regular events such as speaker series, study breaks, movie screenings, and small group activities to build community and student connections.
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Kosher Meal Services 1 activity
- Provide kosher dining and Shabbat mealsOffers a kosher dining hall and provides free Kosher Shabbat dinners for students, supporting religious observance and community building.
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Jewish Leadership Development 1 activity
- Run Israel education and cultural fellowship programsConducts an 8-week learning fellowship focused on Israel’s history, culture, and society, and hosts an Israel Fellow from the Jewish Agency to share Israeli culture with the campus community.
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Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
- Strengthen organizational leadership and staffingHires and appoints key personnel including directors, innovation fellows, and Israel Fellows to expand leadership capacity and program delivery.
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Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 1 activity
- Support student and family engagementBuilds relationships with parents and families to support student involvement in Jewish life at Syracuse University.
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Admissions and Enrollment Support Services 1 activity
- Support student onboarding and transitionProvides early move-in, a three-day pre-orientation program with field trips, campus tours, shared meals, and mentorship pairings to help incoming students transition to campus life.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.49M
Contributions & grants$1.36M91%
Program service revenue$112K7%
Investment income$24K2%
Other revenue$33
expenses
Total expenses$1.01M
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$547K
Grants paid out$3K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.98M
Cash$605K
Investments$1.26M
Liabilities$323K
Net assets$1.66M
Liquid reserves22.1 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +31.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JILLIAN JUNI | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $133K |
board members · 18
- ANDREW SPECTOR — BOARD MEMBER
- BARBARA KURMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- BRUCE ROSEN — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIEL GOLDSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID ROSEN — JUNIOR BOARD MEMBER
- DEBBIE ROSENBAUM — BOARD MEMBER
- EVAN KALISH — PRESIDENT HILLEL JEWISH SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
- GUY RUNYON — BOARD MEMBER
- JASON KUPERBERG — SECRETARY
- KENNETH MANDELBAUM — BOARD MEMBER
- LEAH OKO — BOARD MEMBER
- LISA SILVERSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
- MARA SILVER-SMITH — BOARD MEMBER
- MATTHEW WOLFE — TREASURER
- SAM KAGAN — BOARD MEMBER
- SARAH SCHUGEL — JUNIOR BOARD MEMBER
- STEVEN BECKER — BOARD MEMBER
- ZACHARY GOLDBERG — BOARD CHAIR
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Birthright Israel Partner — Organizes free 10-day trips to Israel in partnership with Birthright Israel.
- Birthright Israel Partner — Partner organization providing funded trips to Israel for Jewish students.
- Birthright Israel Foundation Funder — Private philanthropic partner supporting the funding of Birthright trips.
- Government of Israel Government — Co-funder of the Birthright Israel program through a national partnership.
- Hebrew Union College Zelikow School Network — Jared Stern graduated with a MA in Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College Zelikow School.
- Hillel International Network — Hannah Smuckler was heavily involved with Hillel International during her time at the University of Kansas.
- Hillel International Network — Provides application infrastructure and oversight for campus-based Birthright trips.
- Jewish Agency Partner — Hosts an Israel Fellow through a partnership with the Jewish Agency.
- Jewish Agency for Israel Partner — Key implementing and eligibility partner in the Birthright Israel program.
- Jillian Juni Partner — Contact person for alumni engagement at Syracuse Hillel.
- Masa Israel Journey Partner — Offers immersive gap year, study, and volunteer programs in Israel through partnership with Masa.
- Onward Israel Partner — Offers internship and study opportunities in Israel through partnership with Onward Israel.
- Rabbi Natan Partner — Rabbi Natan is the contact person for Shabbat services and student engagement.
- Syracuse University Partner — Collaborates on student engagement initiatives through the Community Engagement Intern program.
- Syracuse University Partner — Collaborates with Syracuse University as part of the Syracuse Welcome program.
- Syracuse University Partner — Collaborates with Syracuse University to support student experiences.
- Syracuse University Partner — Collaborates with university systems to support student religious observances, including class absences and accommodations.
- Tel Aviv University Partner — Provides study abroad opportunities in Israel through Syracuse University's program at Tel Aviv University.
- The Jewish Agency for Israel Partner — Hosts Maya as an Israel Fellow through a partnership with The Jewish Agency for Israel.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Inclusive Governance for Community Ownershipmethodology: inclusive_governanceBy governing through a diverse board of alumni, parents, faculty, and students, we deepen community engagement because shared leadership fosters broader buy-in, accountability, and intergenerational continuity.
- Peer-Led Community Buildingmethodology: peer-led community buildingBy leveraging peer relationships and authentic follow-up in comfortable settings, we build stronger Jewish student communities because peer interactions are more relatable and less institutional, fostering trust and sustained participation.
- Relationship-Based Engagement Modelmethodology: relationship-based engagementBy aligning Jewish programming with students' personal interests, passions, and aspirations, we foster deeper engagement because meaningful connections form when individuals see themselves reflected in the community and its activities.