One of the most important items on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hillel’s agenda is training the next generation of leaders for the American Jewish community. We are proud to see so many Jewish alumni from UW-Madison represented in the ranks of Jewish professional and lay leaders throughout the country.
As part of our leadership training, Hillel invests money and time taking our outstanding campus leaders to national conferences like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference, the Hillel Leaders Assembly and the United Jewish Communities General Assembly. Milwaukee native and UW junior Monica Meyer will travel to Israel over winter break to participate in the Leaders Assembly in Israel.
This year, the General Assembly (the single largest gathering of Jewish leaders) was in Nashville. Hillel sent two UW students to attend: Sam Chasin (Class of 2010) and Sami Stein (Class of 2008).
Below, Chasin reflects on his experiences there:
This year’s G.A. was an incredible experience for me. I was able to connect with 325 Hillel students from 84 different campuses and more than 3,500 Jewish activists and philanthropists.
The speakers and networking sessions helped remind me of the Jewish tradition of giving back to the community and working to improve the world.
The Tennessee hosts were very friendly and welcoming, demonstrating the strong bond that Judaism embodies, even in a state with a relatively small Jewish population.
The participants represented all corners of Jewish action and leadership in America, from efforts to rebuild the gulf coast to support for Israel.
The G.A. is a perfect example of what we can accomplish together and served to constantly remind me of why I am so proud to be Jewish.
I had an opportunity to meet with leaders from the federations of Wisconsin, the president of the UJC, the president of Hillel, and hundreds of other Jews who continually work to make a difference.
I return to UW-Madison excited and reinvigorated to help my Jewish community reach its fullest potential and continue to make a difference. Next year in Jerusalem — the location of the next G.A.
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