Alternative winter break trips are offered each year for students, but for the first time, Hillel at Ohio University is teaming up with other Ohio universities for a regional service trip to central Florida.
Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, executive director of Hillel at OU, said she thought of reaching out to multiple Hillel organizations around Ohio for the trip because it is a way to form relationships around the region.
“We thought that this would be an opportunity to experiment and get students together to do an important service project while building friendships,” she said. “We are hoping to be able to return and do service in our region.”
Leshaw reached out to Hillel groups at Kent State University and Ohio State University and to a third group in Cleveland.
Putting together a trip with campuses around the region takes a lot of coordination, said Lauren Goldberg, engagement professional for Hillel at OU and a staff member traveling with the students.
“We have weekly phone calls with other campuses to coordinate and make sure that all of the students have their questions being answered,” she said.
Kent State already has three students signed up to go, said Ricky Marcus, director of Jewish student life for Hillel at Kent State University.
“There is a lot of excitement, but it was a little last minute, so some people already had winter plans,” he said. “Now, it’s just a matter of helping people financially and making sure money isn’t a barrier to keep them from participating.”
Thirty-three students are needed for the trip and 15 will be coming from OU, Leshaw said.
“If we don’t get 33 students, there is a possibility we might not be able to run this trip, so all four campuses have quite a bit of work to do,” she said.
There will be an informational meeting for OU students on Thursday where students can get questions answered, hear about a special scholarship for OU students and eat free pizza, Leshaw added.
Although the trip is gathering students from regional Hillels, Leshaw said they are not opposed to students of various religions who are inspired to complete service work.
“If students have religious beliefs that inspire them to serve others, then we are excited to talk with them about this trip,” she said. “We want students on this trip in part because they feel a commitment to religious traditions that encourages this kind of work.”
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If You Go:
What: Alternative Winter Break Meeting
When: 12:00 p.m. Thursday
Where: Baker University Center Room 512
Admission: Free
