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The University of Arizona campus features a wide array of modern and historical buildings. One of these belongs to the UA’s Hillel organization.
One of the many programs that Hillel sponsors is the Taglit-Birthright Israel Program.
Taglit-Birthright is an organization that provides 10-day, first-time trips to Israel for Jewish students between the ages of 18 and 26.
All expenses are paid except gratuities and personal expenses, including souvenirs.
According to the organization’s website, over 260,000 young adults have gone on Birthright trips from 52 countries, including the United States, Brazil and Cuba.
Ethan Widdes, a senior at the University of Arizona’s Eller School of Management, took a Birthright trip in December 2010.
“It was a truly life changing experience,” Widdes said.
Despite the fighting and violence going on in the Middle East, Widdes said that during his time in Israel he felt safe.
“We had a tour guide and an armed guard with us at all times,” he said.
“I never really felt unsafe. I was surprised to see that the citizens seemed to feel this way too. They just went about their everyday life and didn’t seem to let what was going on affect them.”
Upon his return to campus for fall semester, Widdes will find many changes at the Hillel building, which is undergoing a makeover.
Located across from the Student Union Memorial Center on East Second Street, the building houses the Hillel organization, which sponsors Jewish programming and studies on campus.
Work being done on the building includes moving the kitchen into a new downstairs area and moving the lounge area and offices.
Three multipurpose rooms, which will be available for rent, are also being added to the building.
Planning for the project began in 2007, when the organization received a grant, said Michelle Blumemberg, executive director of UA Hillel.
One of the biggest difficulties was scheduling the construction around the school schedule, she said. Work on the project began May 2.
Renovations are expected to be completed by Aug. 15 and construction completed by the first week in December.
According to Blumenberg, all funding for the project is coming from donations and grants.
“We’re working in a real fast pace,” said Joel Cleary, project superintendent. “We’re confident that we can get it done though. This is Michelle’s baby and we want to do a good job for her.”
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