Rodin praises Penn Jewish community

University President Judith Rodin praised the Jewish community for its involvement in campus affairs during her annual Shabbat dinner speech this Friday. Addressing a crowded hall of students, Rodin also discussed the importance of community in a speech sponsored by Hillel and held at the Faculty Club. "I believe the notion of community is increasing but is also being threatened," she said. "Community is a challenging word and a word that is being challenged." Rodin stressed the "importance of the present moment" to act for change and referred to Hillel's Talumdic-era namesake's quote, "If not now, when." She added that "we must not wait until tomorrow, for tomorrow may never come." Citing many of Hillel's activities, such as its soup kitchen and Israel outreach programs, Rodin said, "to me, the role you play -- among each other -- and within Penn as a whole ? is a demonstration of the Hillel community." Student reactions to Rodin's speech varied from disappointment to admiration. Rifki Zable, a College and Wharton sophomore and member of the Hillel Executive Board, believed Rodin's speech was "full of fluff." She explained that after eating dinner with Rodin and hearing her speak, she was "not impressed." Zable noted that Rodin seemed hypocritical in her sincerity for Jewish students at the University. "She didn't say too much, and we didn't have much to say to her either," Zable said. "She was passive during dinner and didn't interact with the students much. Then her speech came off as really caring about the Hillel. It seemed unbalanced" But College freshman Elana Rosenberg enjoyed Rodin's speech, noting "she addressed the issue of the Penn community, which I think is appropriate." However, Rosenberg did not attend the event specifically to hear Rodin speak. Rosenberg said she attends the Shabbat dinner at Hillel every Friday and was not even aware Rodin was speaking this week. Hillel President Elie Haller, a College junior, also ate dinner with Rodin and said Rodin "didn't realize what a vibrant Jewish community there is at the University." "We informed her that Penn's Hillel is the largest in the country, and she was very surprised," Haller added. Following the brief speech, one member of the audience questioned whether Rodin downplays her Jewish heritage. Rodin responded that she too was surprised to see people at the Shabbat dinner that she had previously not known were Jewish. "It was quite a witty response," Rosenberg said. "It would have been interesting if she had addressed her own Judaism in her speech, but really it's her prerogative how she deals with that. First and foremost she is the president of the University. Her faith is separate." Haller said she was also impressed with Rodin's quick response to the question of her Jewish identity. "The comeback was phenomenal," Haller said. "There are many people at Penn who don't proclaim their Judaism, and Rodin is just one of them. Hillel understands that some people find us intimidating, but we seek to encourage involvement from everyone." The only other question from the audience addressed how the University should foster a better sense of community. Rodin responded again by praising Hillel for "reaching out to everyone" but then continued to admit the University's failure on the whole. "As a group of people we have failed to reach out," Rodin said. "The crucial unmet need in the University is to create broader groups through reaching out. Through this we can raise the comfort level."