Los Angeles, CA – USC Hillel Cuts Shabbat Dinner Costs. Students to Cook, Serve the Shabbat Meals

Los Angeles, CA – Economic hard times have caused the USC Hillel foundation to cut back on programming and focus more on building student initiative and a stronger sense of community.

“It would be irresponsible of us to mask the economic situation,” said Shira Moldoff, assistant director of development and outreach for USC Hillel. “We want to cut back so we can be more efficient, but still provide some programming on a shoestring budget.”

USC Hillel is cutting back by not serving traditional Friday night Shabbat dinner on long holiday weekends, when students are less likely to be on campus. Shabbat, which usually serves around 40 to 80 students, is now served on disposable plates.

“The real thing that needs to happen is to make programs that don’t cost money,” said Hillary Gregg, a junior majoring in biochemistry. “We need to do simple stuff that’s more community-building.”

Hillel at UCLA used to have students serve Shabbat dinner a few times per quarter, but now is saving money by having students cook and serve Shabbat dinner every week.

Talking while cooking, eating and hanging out will help to build more bonds and a sense of Jewish community, Gregg said.
“At first people might be scared and hesitant, but it takes time to get people to get involved,” Gregg said.

The Chabad House at USC is also feeling the effects of the economy.
“The weekly Shabbat dinners are a crucial thing for the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Dov Wagner of the USC Chabad house. “Sometimes it is more difficult to raise the funds. But when something is important we make it work. We are still looking to cut costs where we can as any fiscally responsible organization does.”

Over winter break, students also started an initiative to raise funds to provide for some of the sacramental wines used for Kiddush, Wagner said.
“It is not so much about the dinner itself but about the community experience. It is about students getting together to celebrate their heritage,” said Wagner.

Sophomore Jonathan Minzter, president of the Hillel Student Board, said he is unsure how this new emphasis on student leadership will take hold at USC.
“It’s not in the mindset at USC yet. For example, at Berkeley, they know that if kids don’t cook Shabbat, there is no food,” Mintzer said. “The problem may be a change in the culture because kids might not be used to taking the initiative.”

Hillel is also trying to get its board of directors — which includes faculty, community members and parents — more involved by asking them to host a few Shabbat dinners.

“We need to urge the Jewish community more now than ever to make charitable donations to ensure the well-being of the Jewish community,” said Daniel Wallman, a sophomore majoring in astronautics and space technology.

The University of San Francisco has also made changes to its Shabbat dinner. They now request a $1.80 donation for the traditionally free meal, according to Kojfman.