[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HILLEL ON THEIR CENTENNIAL 
                              ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 
centennial of Hillel at the University of Michigan. When it was founded 
in 1926, Michigan Hillel was the fourth Hillel to be established in 
North America. As a center for Jewish life, the University of Michigan 
Hillel not only provides programming and a physical space where 
students can observe their faith and celebrate their community.
  Arising out a need for a growing Jewish student population to find 
familiarity and fellowship, Hillel provided a foundation for carrying 
forward their cultural and social traditions into adulthood and to 
future generations. Whether it be celebrating Shabbat, the High 
Holidays, or any day in-between, Hillel has provided a forum to 
encourage Jewish students to more fully engage with and explore their 
identity. This important work has and continues to help shape the 
Jewish American identity.
  Hillel's impact extends far beyond its Jewish religious and cultural 
programming. Hillel provides students with opportunities to develop 
their leadership skills and engage with the broader campus community, 
by encouraging student-driven engagement on campus and beyond. Dozens 
of student groups have grown out of and are supported by Hillel, 
providing educational programming partnering with other social, 
educational, and cultural groups within the university ecosystem.
  Hillel has left an imprint on the university's legacy. Hillel 
supported producing the first performance of then-student, now renowned 
playwright, Arthur Miller in 1937. In the 1960s, Hillel encouraged 
students to engage in the great societal debates of the Civil Rights 
era, including the Vietnam war, helping to shape the discussion on 
campus. More recently, in the 1980s, has continued its mission of 
encouraging student engagement in the intellectual debates of the 
university community, exemplified by its support of Consider Magazine, 
which highlights topics of interest to the Michigan community and 
enables a presentation of many perspectives on those topics.
  Given the passion with which Hillel has pursued its mission and 
commitment to the university community, it is not surprising it has 
received several awards, including the Outstanding Campus award by 
Hillel International in 2020. It is a testament to Michigan Hillel's 
success that University of Michigan is recognized as one of the best 
schools in the country for Jewish students. I congratulate Michigan 
Hillel on reaching this great milestone in its history and wish it, its 
current students, and alumni continued success and meaningful 
engagement in fulfilling its mission.

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