Hillel Impact Stories

​My first time at Hillel was the welcome brunch my first year. I felt so welcomed, everyone was so kind, and I knew it was a place I would return to. Hillel has become my home away from home in Tempe, which especially as an out-of-state student is so important to have.

I’m grateful for the many experiences and memories Hillel has given me so far, but especially for the opportunity to be a signature social chair and help plan large-scale social events. Hillel gives students a space to go to have fun and feel connected to friends, whether that be at Shabbat or a signature social event, like Casino Night and HillelChella!

My favorite Hillel memory is from this past fall during HillelChella. The environment was fun and upbeat, encouraging us all to break out dancing! We started dancing the Horah and lifting each other up in chairs and it was a joy-filled, fun-filled, night for all!
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My college experience would not be the same without Hillel, and the experiences I get connecting with other Jewish students and students from all across campus, thanks to the signature social events.

Last week, we hosted 200 students from all walks of campus for our annual Casino Night. One of our flagship Signature Social programs, Casino Night transformed the Hillel parking lot (programming lot) into the Hillel Sportsbook - a sports-themed "casino" complete with four different casino games, a DJ, a food truck, a bar, and even a "Partner Plaza" featuring 7 different student organizations. Among them, Gift of Life was there giving students the opportunity to join the national bone marrow registry. 

One of our biggest learnings from the pandemic was to “lean in” to significant community-building opportunities. So, while Casino Night may appear to be just a big social event, it is so much more. These Signature Social events represent an opportunity for students to make new connections to each other and to the wider ASU campus community. The Partner Plaza - a feature of both Casino Night and November's Hillelchella - has become an avenue through which Hillel fosters deeper ties with the greater ASU community, creating relationships with diverse organizations such as TAMID at ASU, Engineers without Borders, Blaze Radio, Gift of Life, and even the Album Listening Club at ASU. With these partners, plus a food truck, yard games, a quiet inside lounge, and of course, casino games, Casino Night was designed to ensure everyone felt comfortable, welcome, and at home at the Hillel Sportsbook.