Friend,
My name is Adir. I’m a student at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and the J Street U Midwest Vice President. I wanted to fill you in on a situation happening on our campus.
For over a decade, the J Street U chapter at the University of Michigan has been a part of our campus Hillel. Together, we’ve held dozens of events, convened hundreds of students and become a vital part of Jewish life on campus.
This partnership endured until last week, when Hillel gave us an ultimatum: Disaffiliate from J Street or cease to exist under the Hillel umbrella. Unwilling to leave this movement, we chose the latter. Hillel claims their decision was motivated by the notion that J Street is “political,” yet other pro-Israel groups have been allowed to stay.
At its core, Judaism emphasizes the importance of disagreement, wrestling with hard questions, reckoning with the state of the world and our role in making it a better place. That’s why this decision is particularly hurtful.
It was also surprising, due to Michigan Hillel’s history of advocacy and political engagement on our campus. In my time as a student, they’ve run ‘Get Out The Vote’ campaigns, encouraging students to show up in critical elections. They’ve hosted Reproductive Shabbat and held teach-ins that affirm what so many of us believe – that reproductive freedom is a Jewish value.
The role of J Street U in Hillel is no different. We don’t focus on partisan advocacy – but rather are a space for dialogue, disagreement, education and mobilization.
Our events educate on the occupation of the West Bank and dissect current events. We’ve brought countless students to Hillel who would otherwise be too intimidated to engage, demonstrating that there’s a place for them in Jewish communal spaces, reflecting their pro-peace values while serving as a religious home.
Right now, the ground is shifting beneath the feet of major Jewish institutions. Seeing the Israeli government violate some of our deepest moral values, younger Jews are questioning their relationship with Israel – and demanding a new course of action.
Some are even going so far as to disaffiliate from Jewish institutions altogether – movements like “Drop Hillel” are gaining traction as young Jews seek alternative spaces. J Street U offers an alternative to push our spaces to be better.
Let’s be clear: Refusing to address Israel’s complex history is just as political as grappling with it.
By welcoming Jewish students with different perspectives on what it means to be pro-Israel, Hillel could foster community, ease tensions and make themselves a welcoming space for everyone, not just those who share their specific worldview.
J Street U students are proud to be bridge builders. We’ve played a pivotal role in Hillel and in the future of our community, and we need your support to continue doing so.
So I’m asking you to stand with J Street U by sending a message to Hillel and to Jewish institutions everywhere:
Meet the moment. Welcome J Street U! →
Reading, signing and sharing our petition will help us demonstrate a groundswell of support. We must make clear – to Hillel and Jewish institutional spaces across the country – that excluding J Street U is a misguided, short-sighted move that will gravely harm Jewish campus life.
Our community is evolving. It’s time Hillel caught up.
Thank you for standing with us. It means the world.
With hope,
Adir Waxman
Midwest Vice President, J Street U
