Program Summary: Hillel hosted a Shabbat Dinner on Livingston, Busch and Douglass campuses so that all campuses were celebrating Shabbat together.
Program Description: Shabbat is celebrated weekly only on College Avenue Campus of Rutgers. A goal of Hillel is to build Jewish Community on the four �outer� campuses of Rutgers. Therefore, we would like to expand to celebrate Shabbat on all of Rutgers campuses through Shabbat Across America, Shabbat Across Rutgers. Many Jewish students do not attend Shabbat services or dinner because they are not held on their campus and they prefer to avoid the commute. This program will make Shabbat more accessible to students and will build community.
Date: Friday, April 5, 2002
Goals of Program: By hosting Shabbat on these campuses, we will enable these students to celebrate with fellow students from their campus on their own campus. Shabbat Across Rutgers will serve as an introduction to Shabbat on Rutgers to many students who will hopefully join our weekly Shabbat services and free meal on the College Avenue Campus in the future. Additionally, we will help these students to continue to create Jewish programming on their campus. This program will raise awareness of Shabbat to the whole Rutgers Community.
Meet Goals? Why or why not?: Somewhat. The event was executed very smoothly and each meal was prepared very nicely. However, we did not have the turnout we had expected. I believe that had some part to do with the publicity.
Type of Program: Religious, Holiday, Social
Program planned for: Students on the outer campuses
Why planned: There is a need for programming on these campuses; to engage new people; to help foster Jewish life on these campuses
Receive grants: Yes, Kolker-Saxon-Hallock Grant
How far ahead start planning?: 1 and � months. The event requires much coordinating with the other campuses to reserve rooms. In addition, you must order from the caterer, baker, etc. early. The more time there is to prepare also allows for more publicity, which is key for this program to be a success.
People who help plan: 4; JCSC Fellow and Ross Fellows
People who help implement: 4
Expected attendance: 15-25
Actual attendance: 8
Budget: $900
Food for Shabbat meals: $8 per person @ 15 people per campus @ 3 campuses=$360
Room Reservations: $100
Publicity: Quarter page ad in Targum (Rutgers Newspaper): $152 @ 2 days=$304
Classified Ads for 10 days: $140
Forms of Publicity: Word of mouth, tabling, calendar, flyering, classified ads, quarter page ads
Suggestions for someone else: Make sure that publicity is effective at least two weeks prior to the event. A flyer should be made and posted EVERYWHERE on the campuses. The actual program was planned well, but if no one shows up then there is no point. Also, make sure the students are comfortable with their discussions/d�vrei torah that they will be leading at the dinner. Also, I would advise to cosponsor these programs with the governing associations on each of the campuses. NOTE: Shabbat Across Rutgers was originally planned for March 8, 2002 but because the fellows were so new and didn�t have a real feel for their positions yet, we postponed it until April.
Why or why not successful: The organization for the event was great. Each of the Ross Fellows put together a great meal. But, the turnout wasn�t what we had expected.
Impact of program. Students enriched?: The students now know that we are trying to create Jewish life on their campuses. We will involve the students who attended in planning of future programs.
