2. When my co-fellow Jodie and I were tabling at library mall during the second week of school we met a student entering her last year. She apparently had been involved with Hillel her first year, but had become less involved in her second and third years. In an essay she wrote and had me proofread at the end of the year, she had written that her interactions with me were one of the main reasons she had become re-involved with Hillel again.
3. One of the first weeks of school, I had the opportunity to meet a student through a mutual friend I had known from California (my home state). She and I had continued to touch base every couple weeks throughout the year. She had very little interest in Hillel when she came to Madison. This student, although never the most involved engagement student throughout the year, had come to more events as the year progressed and actually took a job with Hillel second semester.
4. There is one student in particular that would come to Israeli dance every time we held a session. Unfortunately, for most of the year she did not have time to come to too much else, so she and I used to talk after Israeli dancing to catch up on the previous couple weeks. However, I noticed towards the end of the year that her attendance at certain functions definitely increased. Better late than never.
5. There was a student that I formed a bond with during the first week of school. He and I would meet up for lunch once every couple weeks. He was a little disenchanted with Hillel, but became more comfortable with the people and the Jewish community as the year went on. He does not necessarily seek leadership roles, but we definitely see him at many Hillel functions, such as Friday night dinner and services. I am happy he has found a niche within the Hillel framework.
6. A student involved with the Jewish Business Venture (JBV), a student group I advise, has only shown interest in that capacity. He expressed interest to me at the end of the semester to take a larger leadership role with JBV for next year. We must have done something right, to motivate him into taking on a larger role.
7. I know a student that found a particular niche within intramural ultimate frisbee. He has other committements and can not participate in too many other functions, but he attends every Ultimate Frisbee game. I konw he definitely feels connected to the Jewish community through his continued involvement with Ultimate Frisbee. I am pleased he found a comfortable place in the Jewish community.
8. One student I had the opportunity to meet at the begining of the year has become involved with numerous aspects of Hillel, from helping setup for an event at Hillel to being the tenth member of a minyan (minimum of 10 people desired for a service) whenever needed. He does not have any official title within Hillel, but is an integral part of the Hillel and the campus Jewish community.
9. Many students are "engaged" by numerous people. One such student that comes to mind (that was engaged by almost everyone on staff) has quickly become someone who holds numerous leadership roles within Hillel. She is very enthusiastic about everything that is happening within the campus Jewish community and strives to be a part of as much as possible. She is a valuable figure in the community and has three more years to participate on various levels.
10. There is a group of three students that have become involved in differnet ways individually, but often attend Hillel functions as a group. I have had the opportunity to attend a freshmen weekend with them, and drive them to a weekend at a local camp. I have had the opportunity to learn about how phenominal these three women are and witness how much excitement and positive energy they bring to the Jewish community.
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