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Hillel story needs clarifications

To the editor,

We at Hillel greatly appreciated your enthusiastic coverage of our Yom Kippur services, ("Yom Kippur celebration packs Hillel center," Tuesday's Wildcat) which took place on Sunday night and Monday of this week.

Nonetheless, we wish to provide some clarifications.

Hillel is staffed by a group of devoted individuals, who work to provide fulfilling experiences for Jewish students and those interested in Judaism during the High Holy Days, and throughout the year. Hillel's mission is "to maximize the number of Jews doing Jewish with other Jews." We also sponsor a mentoring program that connects students with community members and professors in their fields of interest.

Hillel provides two different styles of Jewish worship, representing the two biggest Jewish denominations in North America today, the Conservative and Reform movements. We also help students connect with other Jewish movements, such as the Orthodox and Chabad synagogues near campus.

Professor Green led Conservative services on Sunday night and Monday, attended by as many as 250 people. At the same time, I led Reform services in the Rincon Room in the student union, which were attended by over 175 people, over the course of the holiday. Both services serve many individuals beyond the student and faculty communities of UA.

Thanks again for your attention to things that happen in the Jewish community at UA. I hope that this letter provides some clarification and expansion of the picture painted in Tuesday's paper.

Rabbi Jonathan Freirich

Assistant director, Hillel