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​JCC Announces Management Agreement with Hillel

Staten Island, NY – Today, the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island joined with representatives from UJA-Federation of NY, Hillel International, the College of Staten Island, Wagner College, and elected officials to announce that the JCC has entered into a management agreement with Hillel.
 
This management agreement will create a new, first of its kind model of one Hillel that serves both CSI and Wagner, as well as other college-aged students on the Island. Hillel of Staten Island will have access to all of the JCC’s resources, strengthening its impact in the community.
 
“Our goal is to create a future community for all Jewish young adults to engage, thrive, and grow. Hillel of Staten Island is a unique model that will create a seamless connection for those attending college, participating in alternative educational pathways, and individuals who are already on their career paths. These young adults will build, strengthen, and lead the Jewish community both on college campuses and throughout Staten Island,” said JCC CEO Orit Lender.
 
The funding for this initiative comes from UJA-Federation of NY, a core partner of the JCC and Hillel.
 
Eric Goldstein, UJA-Federation of NY CEO, said, “Many students who attend college in Staten Island also settle here after graduation. This new partnership introduces the JCC into student lives during college, providing an established connection to Jewish life and community after they graduate,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York. “We are grateful to the leadership of the JCC, Hillel, the College of Staten Island, Wagner College, and everyone else who helped develop and launch this exciting new program.”
 
Hillel of Staten Island will be part of Hillel International, the world’s largest and most inclusive Jewish campus organization.
 
"Hillel International is thrilled to support the expansion of Jewish life on college campuses through the Staten Island Hillel, in partnership with the JCC of Staten Island, UJA-Federation of New York, Wagner College, and the College of Staten Island. Through robust programming and opportunities for student engagement and Jewish learning led by Rachel Vaynshteyn, the Staten Island Hillel will become a center of Jewish life in the area." - Adam Lehman, President and CEO of Hillel International.
 
The JCC has hired Rachel Vaynshteyn, a CSI Hillel alumnus, to serve as Director of Hillel of Staten Island. Ms. Vaynshteyn will work with students on both campuses and beyond in the areas of education, professional life, mental health, socialization, activism, and exploration of their Jewish journeys. 
 
“A stronger structure for Hillel will support Jewish life and create a safer climate on campus. For a growing number of Jewish students, ignorance and hate are becoming more commonplace. Hillel of Staten Island is already working with our local colleges to help fight back against Anti-Semitism and hate of all kinds. By coming together for our young adults, the JCC and Hillel can integrate a sense of belonging to the Jewish community. It is imperative that the young adults on Staten Island be empowered to become the leaders of the next generation of Jewish life for our community,” said Lender.
 
Dr. Timothy Lynch, President of the College of Staten Island, said, “The College of Staten Island is thrilled to be partnering with the Joan & Alan Bernikov JCC of Staten Island, Hillel of Staten Island, and Wagner College to further support all Jewish young adults in our community. Hillel at the College of Staten Island has always been a wonderful student organization and partner in not only providing our students a special space to socialize while staying connected to culture, traditions, and values but also helping our students develop the skills they need to become strong leaders in the Staten Island community.  The appointment of Rachel Vaynshteyn, a graduate of CSI and a former President of our Hillel chapter, to the position of Director of Hillel of Staten Island is a prime example of how this organization helps us build a strong foundation for our students which contributes to their success beyond the College experience.   We are proud of Rachel and look forward to working with her and our new partners in building an even stronger and more welcoming and inclusive community for our students, where everyone has a true sense of belonging and opportunity to succeed.”
 
“Wagner is proud to be part of this collaborative where young people from the two colleges and from the community can come together as a Staten Island Hillel to learn and participate in meaningful and powerful experiences that will help develop their leadership skills and propel them into the civic professionals of tomorrow,” said Ruta Shah-Gordon, Vice President of Enrollment and Campus Life at Wagner College.
 
Hillel serves more than 140,000 students each year at 850 colleges and universities around the world.

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