 "Photo: Eitan Hochster")
Saint Louis Hillel is planning to replace their decades-old student center with a larger, student-friendlier building located closer to campus. Hillel has not set a date to break ground and will use the upcoming school year to plan the rebuilding and renovation process.
The Hillel Executive Board, along with the Jewish Student Union (JSU), met several times regarding the renovations in May of 2005, and more meetings are planned for later this year.
"It would be great if we could have a space where the entire staff could work together," Executive Director Margo Fox said, adding that the most prevalent request from students was for "separate and unique praying spaces" for Friday night and Saturday morning services.
"We met with two to three student focus groups. The committee was made up of staff, lay leaders and students, and we asked the groups what they would like to see in an ideal Hillel," Fox said.
The committee has already received a grant from International Hillel and has selected an architectural firm, but Fox says that the planning is still in its very early stages. Hillel committee members plan to start a funding campaign later this year, and the work will begin once the finances are in place.
Rabbi Avi Orlow, the University campus rabbi, sees the potential of having an active student participation surrounding the new building.
"Hillel is committed to having a place for students to work on their programming and to maintain a space for various kinds of religious expression," he said.
The Jewish population at the University is estimated at about a third of the total undergraduate population, and Hillel, along with the JSU, offers a full kosher meal plan, daily morning prayer services and an array of pro-Israel and social action programming. Rachel Kaplan, president of JSU, said, "We have a fantastic Jewish community. Now we can step back and ask, how can we make ourselves stronger?"
The Saint Louis Hillel currently resides in a building at the corner of Forsyth Blvd. and Forest Park Parkway. The building serves both the University community, as well as other universities in the area, including St. Louis University and the University of Missouri St. Louis.
