The Hillel Club at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) was named the Outstanding Student Organization of the Year during the SCSU awards celebration this spring. "This is a huge honor in the world of our student clubs and organizations," said Dr. Deborah Weiss, President of SCSU Faculty Senate and Co-Director of Judaic Studies.

Two years ago, when the group experienced a gap between advisors, the club was effectively "a non-entity" and needed to be reconstituted from the ground up. With Rabbi Barbara Paris as the advisor and an amazing student Executive Committee, the group has done amazing things this year, despite the restrictions in place due to the pandemic. Between weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Remembrance Garden, regular study with Rabbi Paris, learning Hebrew, social activities centered around the holidays, and more, there have been many ways to connect and experience Judaism on and off-campus.

"We were surprised and honored. Truly a labor of love and a wonderful group of students," said Rabbi Paris.

"We are very appreciative of the support that we have received from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, which helped us reach this milestone. You have made a difference," offered Dr. Weiss on behalf of the Hillel Club, and added, "may the group go from strength to strength