JHP
Active Campuses
Updated March, 2008
Binghamton
University | New York University | Temple
University | University of Delaware
University of Pennsylvania | University
of Pittsburgh
“JHP was certainly an unexpectedly awesome experience. I went on the New York trip not knowing what to expect but everything was so much fun or beneficial to me in some way. Even the people who I never thought I would be friends with ended up being my closest.”
– Rita VinnickJHP made a great start at Binghamton this semester. We began with very few interns because there had been a large graduating class, but the dedicated interns and fellows built a strong organization with a great future. Recruitment was a major goal this fall. We succeeded in introducing JHP to a large group of people who either were not aware of it or did not understand its goals. The highlight of the semester was the trip to New York City. The retreat began with Binghamton interns joining NYU interns at a karaoke house, which was a great way to break the ice between the new interns. On Sunday, the interns spent the day at JP Morgan. Interspersed with a wonderful mentoring event, the Binghamton lead interns led the retreat programming, which included role playing to demonstrate publicizing a JHP event as well as an exercise meant to encourage the interns to outreach to their social circles.
This trip solidified the commitment of the new interns to JHP and got everyone excited for the future!
“JHP has basically had a hand in shaping my entire college experience so far. I met friends who were older and had been in the city longer; I was introduced to mentors who have helped me get an amazing internship at an international law fi rm; and now as a lead intern I have a chance to be involved on campus and give my two cents into further development of the program. I’m so much more involved with Judaism now than I ever thought I would be, and seeing incoming students and how we can help them the way that JHP helped me gives me something to look forward to every Tuesday.”
– Lara DrasinFall 2006 started off strong with a cruise around Manhattan, co-sponsored with Chabad of NYU. Aboard the boat, 381 students enjoyed the New York skyline. Once again, NYU’s fall club fair introduced some amazing new interns to JHP. They, along with the returning interns, created fun and successful Jewish programming for NYU’s Jewish community. They took part in two of the large JHP mentoring events this fall as well as hosting Josh Neuman, Editor of Heeb Magazine, at a weekly meeting.
They are really looking forward to next semester. Several new interns are stepping into leadership positions and will continue to move the group in the right direction. They plan to meet over winter break to make sure that their calendar is in place before the spring semester begins.
“Shabbat for 100 was my favorite event because so many different groups of Jews were brought together from all throughout campus.
There was truly a radiating feeling of warmth circulating the room!”
– Tara WernerTemple JHP has seen many new accomplishments on campus this semester. We had an offi cial JHP offi ce on campus for the first time, which has become a great place for small meetings and social gatherings. We also became an offi cial member of the Temple Student Government, which not only gives us additional funding and office supplies, but provides us with exposure and campus-wide recognition.
Our two most successful events were the Mentoring Event and Shabbat for 100. All of the interns were very proud of the Mentoring Event and look forward to having it again next semester. Many non-interns who attended were impressed with the quality and number of mentors and are thinking about getting involved with JHP in the spring. Shabbat for 100 was equally successful.
This was the first big on-campus Shabbat ever held at Temple. When we started planning over the summer, many interns were doubtful
that we could get 100 students to attend. They were thrilled that we reached our goal and look forward to holding the event again. Having
high-quality events that the interns can be proud of makes the interns feel that they have a stake in the organization.
Our biggest focus for the upcoming semester will be the recruitment of freshmen. We have planned a Shabbat dinner at the AEPi house during the first month of the semester as well as a party the second week of school. These two events should bring fresh faces to the organization.
“Being involved in JHP has been a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed the Montreal retreat with Temple University. I have been involved in JHP
for a few years now and this is the best retreat we have ever had. It was a real bonding experience... and a great way to get new students
involved in JHP. JHP has always been awesome, but the new students and interns we have recruited are going to make it incredible. I know
that they are going to carry on the legacy of JHP here at Delaware.”
– Marisa SchniderDelaware has had a very good fall semester, especially at recruiting new students. The upperclassmen have done a great job reaching out to the freshmen, who in turn have spread the word and recruited more freshmen. There are a few new faces at almost every weekly meeting. The Montreal retreat was a huge success. Forty interns from Temple and Delaware traveled to Montreal for their fall leadership retreat. The trip lent itself to bonding through social interaction, learning and informative discussion groups. Discussions included how to promote Jewish and Israeli advocacy, negate anti-Semitism, promote JHP on campus and improve Jewish leadership on campus. Listening to Schmelvis, an Elvis impersonator wearing a big “Chai,” provided an entertaining excursion from the daily activities.
The interns are excited about next semester. They already have a handful of events planned, including a welcome back party, tabling for Birthright, camping, a Matzah Ball semi formal, Laura’s Bat Mitzvah, and Relay for Life. We are going to work on having more “hands on” activities at meetings. Additionally, the students are going to try to take a more active role in including more Judaism into their events. We would like to integrate an “Israel” minute into our meetings as well. We plan to continue our recruitment efforts focusing on students involved in Greek life on campus.
“Over the past four semesters, I have been satisfi ed and felt accomplished that I introduced several of my peers and friends to JHP so they could find a social and cultural connection to Judaism as I have... I have taken away great personal meaning from the mentoring and networking events. At the New York retreat, I met an inspirational mentor in the publishing business who taught me about the critical balance between engaging in the secular world and balancing it with Jewish observance.
This lesson I learned from a Jewish professional reinforced an integral
balance that I now strive to implement every day.”
– Elana HoffmanJHP at the University of Pennsylvania had a wonderful semester. An influx of new interns spiced up the already remarkable group on campus. In Spring 2008, nearly 2,000 Penn students ate Shabbat dinner simultaneously at 70 locations around campus.
The New York retreat offered students the opportunity to meet an incredible array of JHP mentors at the mentoring event hosted by Larry Hill at Dewey Ballantine. And spending Shabbat in New York helped the students to bond with one another. After Shabbat dinner on the Upper West Side, the interns went to the home of Jay Lobell, President and CEO of Paramount Capital. The Shabbat afternoon program at Columbia University gave the interns the time to digest all that JHP is and all that it can be with their efforts.
Next semester, an important goal will be to encourage all interns to plan his or her own program within the first few weeks of school. This will not only help the interns to intensify their JHP experience, but also expand the variety and quantity of campus programs. They will, of course, continue to participate in the large campus events including Shabbat for 2000 and Mitzvah Week.
“Participating in JHP has allowed me to connect with my Jewish roots by connecting me to fellow Jewish college students in an interactive
relaxed environment.”
– Lauren Dobin, Lead InternJHP at Pitt has been great this semester! Students are very positive and motivated about their involvement in JHP. We have begun to shift to more events that are non-alcoholic, including more community service. Several new interns have been recruited from various social groups on campus, providing more diversity to the group.
