named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF)
10-week small group text study program exploring Jewish texts and values in the context of college student life, using chavruta-style learning and large group discussions
Kosher Comfort
Kosher meal program located in Douglass Dining Center, offering kosher meals and take-out options under Star K supervision for students and the broader campus community
Memorial Torah Scroll
Stewardship of a Torah scroll from Domazlice, Czech Republic, received from the Memorial Scrolls Trust as a memorial to Jewish communities destroyed in the Holocaust
Shabbat at Hillel
Weekly Friday night student-led services followed by communal dinners featuring home-cooked meals and opportunities for learning and reflection
Sip & Schmooze
Casual drop-in event offering coffee and tea for students to connect with Hillel staff and student leaders in an informal setting
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 3 activities
- Develop dedicated Jewish student spaceCreating a dedicated space within the new Student Life Building for Jewish students to celebrate, learn, connect, and grow, enhancing the infrastructure for Jewish campus life.
- Maintain religious and educational artifactsHolds and utilizes a Memorial Scrolls Trust Torah scroll as part of its educational and community programming, preserving Jewish heritage on campus.
- Provide inclusive Jewish student life programmingCreates a welcoming and inclusive environment for Jewish students of all backgrounds and levels of observance at the University of Rochester, fostering vibrant, pluralistic Jewish life through opportunities to explore Judaism and Jewish practice regardless of prior knowledge or background.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Build community through informal social eventsOrganizes casual and recreational gatherings such as coffee or tea conversations, bagel brunches, apple picking, game nights, and outings to foster personal connections among Jewish students and Hillel staff.
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Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Communicate updates to students and supportersOffers a mailing list for students, families, and friends to receive updates on Hillel activities, Jewish life on campus, and special events.
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Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 1 activity
- Facilitate Jewish learning and text studyOffers structured educational programs such as the Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF), a 10-week text study series that enables students to explore Jewish texts and values in the context of college life.
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Jewish Holiday and Shabbat Community Events 1 activity
- Host Shabbat and holiday gatheringsOrganizes regular weekly Shabbat services and dinners every Friday at the Interfaith Chapel, featuring student-led services and home-cooked meals, along with semesterly holiday celebrations centered on learning and community connection.
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Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
- Support Israel engagement and leadership developmentConnects students to Jewish culture and traditions through programming in Israel engagement and leadership development as part of a broader mission to empower student involvement in Jewish life.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$546K
Contributions & grants$523K96%
Program service revenue$450%
Investment income$19K4%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$353K
Program expenses58%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising15%
Salaries & benefits$264K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$873K
Cash$873K
Investments$0
Liabilities$215K
Net assets$659K
Liquid reserves29.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +6.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOY GETNICK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $120K |
board members · 15
- ANN BENNETT — PAST CHAIR
- BARRY SWINDLER — DIRECTOR
- CINDY FEINBERG — DIRECTOR
- DEBBIE SHALOM — PAST CHAIR
- GABE NECHAMKIN — PAST CHAIR
- JENNIFER PARADISE — DIRECTOR
- LOUISE LITT — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL P FELDMAN — DIRECTOR
- NOAH D PIZMONY-LEVY DREZNER — CHAIR
- RAMI KATZ — DIRECTOR
- RICH GORDON — DIRECTOR
- RICK GOLDSTEIN — TREASURER
- SCOTT COHNSTRENGER — DIRECTOR
- SHARON HOFFMAN-MANNING — DIRECTOR
- STEVE GIVANT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Center for Jewish Studies Partner — Partners to promote research, education, and programming in Jewish studies.
- Department of Religion and Classics Partner — Collaborates academically through course offerings and Jewish studies programming.
- Dining Services Partner — Collaborates to provide kosher meal options for Passover and regular dining needs.
- George Eastman Circle Network — URochester Hillel donations count toward membership in the University of Rochester's George Eastman Circle giving program.
- Interfaith Chapel Partner — Collaborates with the Interfaith Chapel on shared spaces, resources, and interfaith programming.
- Memorial Scrolls Trust Partner — Partner organization that allocated Torah scroll #988 to Hillel at the University of Rochester on indefinite loan.
- Michael Pollak Partner — Member of Hillel staff available for connection with students interested in Sip & Schmooze.
- Students' Association for Interfaith Cooperation Partner — URochester Hillel students participate in SAIC to engage in interfaith learning and cooperation.
- University of Rochester Government — Gifts to URochester Hillel receive University donation credit, including toward George Eastman Circle (GEC) pledges.
- University of Rochester Partner — Collaborating on the development of the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life within a new Student Life Building.
- University of Rochester Advancement Partner — Partnership enabling gifts to Hillel to receive University donation credit while Hillel receives the full gift amount.
- University of Rochester Parents Council Partner — Coordinates recognition of gifts to URochester Hillel through the University's Parents Council program.
strategies · 4
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 Community Building Grounded in Jewish Valuesmethodology: hachnasat_orchimBy applying the Jewish value of hachnasat orchim (welcoming the stranger) as a design principle, we create pluralistic and inclusive environments, because a sense of belonging rooted in ethical tradition increases student participation and ownership of Jewish life.
- Integrated Campus Presence as a Hub for Connectionmethodology: integrated-campus-hubBy locating Jewish life programming within a shared student life building, we increase accessibility and organic engagement, because physical integration into campus life reduces barriers and fosters belonging through everyday visibility.
- Integrated Experiential Engagementmethodology: integrated_jewish_engagementBy combining holiday celebrations and communal dining with educational and leadership opportunities, we create multifaceted Jewish experiences that foster enduring connections, because immersive, student-led traditions make Jewish life accessible and personally meaningful.
- Relationship-Based Jewish Engagementmethodology: relationship_based_engagementBy fostering informal, personal connections through low-barrier interactions like coffee or tea, we build trust and gather student input, because meaningful relationships are foundational to sustained engagement with Jewish life.