EDITORIAL: Constructing the new Hillel

A new building for Hillel will benefit not only the Penn Jewish community, but also the University student body. And yet another construction project will begin during the next year. But unlike other development efforts, which both cater to students while being profitable business endeavors for Penn, this is a project designed to benefit students. We applaud the overdue decision to erect a new, modern Hillel building. The current facility can no longer accommodate the number of students who visit Hillel. This longstanding institution serves numerous members of the Jewish community, who utilize Kosher dining services and attend various events. Despite the fact that Penn has a significant Jewish population and many frequent Hillel, the building was last renovated in 1984. The University needs to care for the campus facilities that cater to student groups and associations. So now Hillel officials are laying plans for the new building, planning for a larger, more elaborate facility. Hopefully, fundraising for such a substantial project is successful. Students, faculty and alumni will need to show their affection for Hillel when the financial campaign begins. Officials hope a newer building will attract a more diverse group of students. They would like to see all members of the Jewish community walking through the doors. But beyond that, they want to see a mix of communities coming together within the new Hillel. They hope a dialogue between cultures and communities will occur beneath their new roof. With the new building will come more space and facilities. And officials plan to use these resources and develop more events and programming with the goal of attracting a broader range of students. We hope that Hillel meets with success in the difficult task of bringing together different campus communities. Obstacles stand in the path towards creating an enlightened Penn student body, but the plan to create a new Hillel is certainly a step in the right direction. With attractive new location, Hillel will be a more pleasant environment for its regulars. And we hope that with the new building and greater visibility on campus, more students will stop in. It just might trigger a new level of communication within the University.