Who are we?

Information about Hillel Association which activates in Tel-Aviv and in Jerusalem

 

Who are we?

 

Hillel is a non profit association and has no political agenda or interest of any kind. The association helps people in Israel who wish to leave the Haredi world (Ultra-Orthodox) and want to integrate in the modern pluralistic State of Israel. Since its foundation in 1991, the association helped hundreds of young people to join the society in Israel.

Hillel is the only organization which helps the Yotzim (ex-haredi).

 

All of our work is done by volunteers. We are a group of over 250 volunteers that includes students, psychologists, lawyers, teachers, accountants, housewives, social workers, communication persons, kibbutz members, public relations experts, organizational advisors and many more.

 

      Watch an interview with the General Director of Hillel in Channel 10 – Nov. 2006:

To whom do we offer assistance?

The people who turn to Hillel come from all the various haredi communities in Israel: Lithuanian (Mitnagdim), Hasidic and Sephardi.  They are men and women from many different cultural and family backgrounds.  What they all have in common is the desire to freely choose their own way of life.

Most of our newcomers are young, between the ages of 18 and 23.  At later ages most haredi men and women are married and have children, and for many reasons leaving becomes virtually impossible.  (We have absorbed a few young families with children).  We can help minor children only if they are referred by the Juvenile Courts or by Social Services.

In the initial contacts with potential newcomers, Hillel volunteers stress the problems that lie ahead in the traumatic adjustment to a strange new world. Only when we are convinced that the decision to leave is fully-informed and mature do we offer assistance.

 

Why are we needed?

Leaving brings with it enormous problems of adjustment. Haredi men and wormen who join modern Israel are new immigrants in every sense and in a special sense all their own - they come from communities that have cut themselves off as completely as possible from the modern world. They must find ways to support themselves and survive while acquiring a modern education and professional skills. They endure a break with their former life, and devastating loneliness.

The situation can be so difficult that, without our help, some new arrivals might find themselves on the street, vulnerable to all the influences of crime and drugs. With our aid this grim scenario can be avoided.

Many of our newcomers go on to play active roles in Hillel and to assist more recent arrivals.  We believe that their participation is the most eloquent testimony to the importance of our work.

The early years of Hillel

Hillel was founded in 1991 by twelve founding members. Its purpose was to act as a support group and the first efforts were devoted to establishing an "open-line" and in providing social and emotional assistance.

During its first six years of operation Hillel was very much a pioneer outfit, run by a small group of dedicated volunteers working in isolation and confronted by the hostility of the haredi world.  We still deal with this enmity, which arises from a total misinterpretation of our mission.

In the early years much of the emphasis was placed on regular contact between volunteers and newcomers, frequent weekend meetings with social and educational content, and counseling in various areas (psychological, educational, contact with the army etc.).

This kind of support remains the centerpiece of our efforts. It is important also because of the relationships it fosters between the newcomers themselves, who discover partners in a frightening world where they thought themselves completely alone.

 

     The address of the Associat

ion

                                                                          

   

The branches of Hillel

Hillel has two branches – in Tel-Aviv and in Jerusalem. Each branch activates the Open Line during evenings and many other activities: private lessons, Yotzim and volunteers encounters, cultural club once a week, Friday nights' dinners every two weeks. Each branch owns libraries and computers for the use of the Yotzim, as well as cloths and housewares, donated by generous people.

Our organizational structure  

Hillel is run by a Board of Directors chosen from the entire membership of the organization. 
The Executive Committee meets regularly to deal with the daily problems of the association.

Our General Assembly convenes annually and elects the Board every two years.

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