New Home

WMU Hillel will soon be on the street with no roof over our heads. For the past three years Hillel has had a place to call their own at the Mansard House apartments. This has been a huge asset to the Jewish student community and has become a comfortable place for the Jewish student and to host events. 

Unfortunately the property management has decided to end their commitment to Hillel and is terminating the contract, so as they can renovate and then rent the apartment at market value, something Hillel simply can not afford. This leaves Hillel with no other place to go.

Why Hillel Needs a Place to Call Their Own

• The students need it and have shown it through their leadership.
• The Jewish population at WMU has been growing over the past decade with an increase of students coming from metro Detroit.
• The greater Jewish community needs it. WMU grads stay in Michigan after graduation and will continue our community and traditions when they start their new careers and families.
• There is an appeal to having a place strictly for students to be Jewish and supports students who for first time can practice our faith and traditions on their own accord.
• The old apartment could not hold all the students that attended Hillel events.
• Property is cheap and it would be a good time to invest in our growing community.

If you or someone you know would like to help create a new home for the WMU Hillel please contact us through email at kazoohillel@yahoo.com.

Follow the developments here.

What we are looking for
Our first step is to secure funding from the community to support our own space. Once that is accomplished we can then find the right space. Rentals around Kalamazoo are relatively easy to come by.

The past three years Hillel used a two-bedroom apartment as an office and to host events. This worked well, though at times was not large enough to fit everyone who came to the events.

A similar set up would work well for this coming year. This will simply mean finding the right people that are willing and able to cover the expenses of renting an apartment. Or it could also mean that if the right people we could start looking at property to purchase for Hillel to use as a permanent home.

If you think you are able to help support this initiative in anyway please let us know, any assistance is greatly appreciated. If you would like to discuss what more you can do please email Hillel at kazoohillel@yahoo.com.

Donations can be sent to:

WMU Hillel
1501 Faunce Student Services Bldg

Western Michigan University

Kalamzoo, MI 49007

The Specifics

• A place that is open to all Jewish students and friends, no matter their affiliation.
• Close to Campus and/or the student Neighborhoods (walking distance and/or on bus lines).
• Capable of hosting a minimum of 40 people for events.
• Students and community members in Kalamazoo are capable of helping to find the right space.