Student Well-Being

Student mental health and well-being are at the forefront of issues for Minnesota Hillel. Hillel staff and student leaders have been hard at work going above and beyond their mission to connect students to Jewish life, learning, and Israel. From weekly Shabbat meals that invite students to come together and unwind after a stressful week, to monthly Hillel "BeWell" programs, Hillel offers numerous ways for students to address mental health and wellness while away from home.

With food costs on the rise, access to healthy food on campus at a minimum, and 80-100 attendees weekly, Minneapolis Jewish Federation funding has helped ensure students have a Jewish space to celebrate Shabbat and enjoy a healthy meal together. This year, Hillel served close to 4,000 Shabbat and holiday meals at the newly-renovated Johnson Family Center for Jewish Student Life, supported by Minneapolis Jewish Federation Building Our Future Campaign.

Mental health and wellness go far beyond Shabbat and holiday meals. And thanks to support from the Minnesota Jewish Community Foundation, Hillel launched "BeWell," a program created by students for students, that addresses the eight dimensions of wellness: Emotional/Mental, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Occupational, Physical, Social, and Spiritual. From activities like yoga and basketball to one-off programs like Sukkot Succulents Planting, Night of Painting, and Pause for Paws, students are offered a variety of opportunities to alleviate the stress of college.

Hillel has also created an informal educational space that models Jewish culture and traditions for their students. Each year, this work inspires hundreds of students to bring Judaism into their postgraduation lives and into our community. In 2022, allocations from Minneapolis Jewish Federation helped to support over 700 students at Minnesota Hillel.

Check out the 2022 Impact Report to learn about Minneapolis Jewish Federations local impact.