The Hillel Experience: Center Stage at the 2007 UJC GA

Taube Schwartz, a junior theater major at Northwestern University, was one of 325 Hillel students from around the United States and Canada who attended this year's United Jewish Communities General Assembly (UJC GA) which was held in Nashville, Tenn. from Nov. 22-13. The GA is the largest gathering of Jewish leadership in the world and is the most prestigious annual event on the Jewish communal calendar. Schwartz spoke to Jerusalem Online about her experiences at the event. Here is what she had to say:

It was really exciting to be at the UJC GA because it was a unique opportunity in the Jewish year to bring together people from different generations and backgrounds. As a university delegate it was such an opportunity not only to meet with other university students and learn what they are doing on their college campuses and what I could take back to mine, but also to meet people who are 20, 30, 40, 50 years older than I am and to see their life in the Jewish community and how they got to be where they are today. 

I think people were overwhelmingly interested and excited to hear from students. As we were standing around people would come up to us and ask what we are doing on campus. It's a dialogue that needs to be cultivated and it’s something that needs to be at the forefront of things because ultimately we are the future.

We live in a time where there is growing anti-Semitism around the world. There are real issues. The survival of the State of Israel is pressing and never has it been so important. It is vital to have opportunities like the GA to speak to people and to get students involved, to encourage birthright Israel registration so that they can see Israel firsthand. I feel incredibly privileged to have been a part of the GA, to have a seat at that table and to have engaged in this dialogue.

We invite you to submit your articles on your Hillel Experience and the best ones will be published both here and in the Hillel newsletter.