The W&L Hillel House

“I think a Hillel House would attract more Jewish students to W&L and I also think it would strengthen the bonds that form once they come to campus.”

-Carly Cowley '07, Past Hillel Co-President

Thanks to the generosity of many alumni, parents and friends, the University has begun work on the Washington and Lee Hillel House.

The W&L Hillel House is the fruit of several years of growing momentum. Sparked by Washington and Lee Hillel, this momentum has reversed declining Jewish enrollment, drawn Jewish alumni back to their alma mater, engaged the Lexington Jewish community, and awakened greater appreciation on the campus for the value of a strong Jewish presence at Washington and Lee.  Now, W&L is poised to capitalize on this momentum by building a dedicated space for Jewish life on campus.  

The W&L Hillel House will be the catalyst for increasing Jewish enrollment and building Jewish community life at Washington and Lee to a level that provides an attractive and outstanding college experience for Jewish students, and enriches the entire University community. The house will demonstrate to current and prospective students and their families that not only is Washington and Lee one of the nation’s best colleges, but it is also an excellent environment for Jewish students to develop as universally human and uniquely Jewish.

The cost of the house, including all construction costs, design fees, equipment, furnishings, and an endowment for long-term maintenance of the facility, is $4 million, and has been funded entirely through private donations.  The fundraising campaign was aided by many generous benefactors, and concluded with a dramatic finish during W&L's May 2009 Board of Trustees Meeting.  Click here to read the story of how the fundraising was completed.

To learn more about plans for the W&L Hillel House, please contact Dennis Cross, Vice President of University Advancement, at dcross@wlu.edu or (540) 458-8232.