What is a Hillel Rabbi’s job?
Rabbi Yehuda Sarna of NYU Hillel spoke at the Riverdale Jewish Center last Shabbat. He related that when he first came to NYU Hillel, he figured his job was basically to teach and learn. Through a very moving story of a formative experience there, he ultimately came to understand that his real job was to care - deeply - about the students on campus, as individuals. All of the strategies, programming, etc. designed to inspire Jewish kids or to keep them in the fold, are transparent to them - they realize that they are statistics for someone’s agenda. What they really seek are people to care about them.
I was startled into the realization that as the father of a high school senior applying to college, I have always been interested in (on the Jewish side) Jewish programming, a critical mass of an orthodox population on campus, kosher food, etc. I never once thought in terms of a campus rabbi or professional who would truly care about my son and his wellbeing.
Of course, how to determine an answer to that question in advance is not immediately apparent. Rabbi Sarna did promise his help, if I contact him personally, for which I am grateful.
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