AlternativeBreaks

Hillel Alternative Winter Break to New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina, which hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, was one of the most devastating natural disasters in American history.  Millions of people were affected, hundreds of thousands of homes were destroyed, and thousands of people lost their lives.  Racial tensions flared, as many minority neighborhoods were hit more severely than others, some even being completely destroyed.  This tragedy will live in the minds of all Americans for many year to come.

However, out of the receeding waters of the Gulf Coast came one of the most incredible relief efforts, and New Orleans became the center of the relief activity.  Volunteers poured in from all over the country to help.  Organizations raised money in record amounts to help support the tasks of the volunteers. 

Hillel, being an organization committed to helping others, whether or not they are Jewish, saw an amazing opportunity to fulfill that goal.  A trip was set up to send college students to help in any way they could.  While students gutted homes, rebuilt living rooms, painted doors, cleaned debris, and provided medical assistance in clinics, the greatest impact they had was bringing with them the hope of a better future.  Together with the residents of New Orleans, Hillel students changed the course of history.

You can be a part of this history.  While great progress has been made, the relief effort is not over.  The people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast still need your help!  Join us for an amazing, one week trip to New Orleans and experience what it really means to give back to a community.

To apply, visit this website: http://www.jewishjustice.org/service_app.html

Hillel Alternative Winter Break to Los Angeles

Domestic violence is a serious issues tearing apart thousands of homes every year.  Los Angeles is a city that is heavily impacted by domestic violence, but also a city that has taken upon itself to help out. 

You can help out too.  Hillel at Hunter College runs an Alternative Winter Break program to Los Angeles for students to volunteer in a domestic violence shelter in Los Anglese.  The program runs from January 3rd-10th. 

For more information on any of these programs, please contact hillel@hunter.cuny.edu.