The Campaign for Hillel at Stanford:
Strengthening Jewish Life, Securing our Future
The welfare of Jewish students at Stanford has always depended on the care and commitment of visionary supporters. Now is our moment to invest in the next generation. Join us in shaping the Jewish Future at Stanford.
Hillel at Stanford’s Story
Supporting Jewish Life on Campus at This Pivotal Time
For 75 years, Hillel at Stanford has mirrored the university’s own pioneering spirit — a story of bold vision and enduring community. What began as a modest, off-campus presence has evolved into a pluralistic hub for Jewish life at the heart of one of the world’s leading universities.
Today’s Jewish students arrive at Stanford with diverse stories, traditions, and questions. Hillel welcomes them exactly as they are — inviting them to explore their identities, forge deep friendships across differences, and practice rigorous, thoughtful engagement with the world.
Our goal is simple and unwavering: to ensure Jewish life at Stanford is safe, vibrant, and enduring.
Why Now?
The landscape has changed; our mission has not
The landscape for Jewish students has fundamentally shifted. Students today navigate a campus environment their predecessors never imagined, one that demands both courage and community. Hillel must be resourced not just to respond to this moment, but to lead through it and whatever comes next.
That requires transformational investment: in the safety of our spaces, the strength of our leadership, and the scope of our programs. We need to secure the resources to persevere, no matter the circumstances of the moment.
Join us as we launch a $23M capital campaign for the future of Jewish life at Stanford.
Our Campaign Priorities
1
A Secure & Reimagined Hillel Campus:
A dynamic, welcoming, and safe hub, reengineered for today’s security needs
2
Leadership & Campus Stewardship:
Investing in exceptional staff who bring Judaism to life and anchor Hillel’s presence across the university
3
Transformative Student Experiences:
Innovating and expanding Jewish offerings so every student finds a meaningful on-ramp
A Secure & Reimagined Hillel Campus
Goal: $12M
No student should have to choose safety over Jewish identity. This campaign will reimagine our space as a complete campus, featuring a cohesive security perimeter, smarter access and monitoring, and a new entrance — secure and true to Hillel’s core value of openness.
And we won’t stop at safety. Our buildings and grounds will be transformed to be fully accessible, energy-efficient, user-friendly spaces built to serve the next 50 years of Jewish life at Stanford.
Key Investments:
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Secure & welcoming buildings with an enhanced perimeter
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Transformed outdoor space maximized for student use
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Modern, flexible gathering spaces
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Indoor and outdoor kosher kitchens
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Sustainability and accessibility upgrades
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Settings inspired by Jewish design
Leadership & Campus Stewardship
Goal: $5M
Every meaningful student experience at Hillel begins with a trusted staff member. Our professionals build relationships, craft programs, and navigate complex campus dynamics to make Jewish life exciting and meaningful. Our staff is essential to creating a pluralistic environment where students gain the confidence to advocate for, navigate, and build their own Jewish life.
In a market with the highest housing costs in the country, endowing core positions ensures Hillel remains a destination for top talent.
Key Investments:
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Endowed Executive Leadership
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Endowed Rabbinic & Educational Leadership
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Sustained Graduate Student Support
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An Israel Educator Initiative
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Campus Stewardship & Jewish Advocacy Infrastructure
Transformative Student Experiences
Goal: $6M
Stanford students are builders — they create new ideas, communities, and movements. Our students are not just patrons, but co-creators, partnering with us to design meaningful Shabbat and holiday gatherings, immersive learning experiences, leadership development opportunities, and Israel and peoplehood exchanges.
Key Investments:
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Student Hospitality & Belonging Fund
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Shabbat Fund
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The Center for Jewish Thought, Meaning, & Practice
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The Stanford Jewish Global Engagement & Immersion Initiative
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Student Leadership & Innovation Fund
Join Us in Shaping the Jewish Future at Stanford.
This campaign invests in our community as an integrated whole. Every dollar strengthens the foundation — reimagining and securing our space, sustaining our staff, and expanding experiences that transform students’ lives.
Now is our moment to invest in the next generation. Together, we will ensure that Jewish life at Stanford remains safe, vibrant, and enduring.
Contact Us
If you feel inspired to support this work, we would love to connect and share more.
Please contact Amit for a call or a meeting.
Amit Metzl Raz, Director of Development