High Point, NC - High Point University’s Jewish students and supporters gathered to open and dedicate the new Bergman Family Hillel House on Sept. 22, during HPU’s annual Fall Family Weekend and two days before the start of Yom Kippur.

HPU President Nido Qubein welcomed guests and addressed a group of supporters that included donors Sam and Amanda Bergman, whose son Parker graduated from HPU in 2016. Their son Shafer is a current HPU student.

“This momentous occasion is a very special time,” said Qubein. “I’m really delighted to see that we have an active Hillel. I hope that you’re proud of what happens here, that these young people want to come here and want to have a heritage, their background and their religious beliefs all in one place. You made that possible for them. Let me just say to all of you, we’re glad to have all of you at Family Weekend. God’s hand is on this work somehow. We get up every morning, and we work very hard to make our world a better place in which to work, raise a family, live and be kind to each other. That’s what HPU is all about: civility, kindness and respect.”

The Bergman Family Hillel House provides a gathering space at HPU for nearly 250 Jewish students or approximately 4 percent of the school’s population. Hillel is the world’s largest Jewish campus organization.

Amanda Bergman noted Rabbi Hillel’s teachings emphasize inclusivity, compassion and the importance of fostering a sense of belonging within the Jewish community.

“This Hillel House will embody these values by providing a welcoming and nurturing space for Jewish students – a home away from home,” Bergman said. “It is with immense joy and pride that we gather here today to inaugurate our brand-new Hillel House. Today marks a significant milestone for the High Point University Jewish community as we come together to create a space that will foster learning, unity and meaningful connections. This Hillel House represents a commitment to the continuity of our Jewish identity, a place where our heritage can be celebrated, where Shabbat can be observed, where festivals can be marked, where traditions are passed down and new ones are made. It’s about ensuring that Jewish students at High Point University have the resources and support they need to thrive academically, spiritually and socially.         

“We are honored to be a part of the positive impact this Hillel House will have on generations of Jewish students at High Point University,” she said.

Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, senior educator and campus support director of Hillel International, recalled meeting with Qubein and HPU Jewish Life Coordinator Amy Epstein more than two years ago to build relationships that led to the establishment of this Hillel House.  

“It’s inspiring and meaningful to reach this occasion,” said Leshaw. “Providing beautiful physical spaces for campus Hillels to offer programming, build community and practice Jewish rituals is an exciting opportunity that deserves celebration. It’s always important to work to make sure that Jewish students have a home away from home on campus, and that they have an inspiring physical space where they can learn and develop their Jewish identities.”

Epstein said she was tasked more than five years ago with growing the Jewish life program on campus. She joined forces with students and supportive parents.

“This Hillel house is a place where Jewish students are coming together to learn, grow and connect with their community,” said Epstein. “Amanda and Sam have seen first-hand the growth of Jewish life on this campus. It’s been 10 years since their son Parker attended High Point University with less than 100 identified Jewish students on campus. Now we have Shafer, a sophomore, and nearly 250 Jewish students identified on campus. Thank you again to the Bergman family for sharing our vision to expand Jewish life here at High Point University.”          

Epstein recognized past and present students for their leadership and hard work, and thanked Craig Schneid, Class of ’15, for starting the effort for this Hillel.

“To see just in the last 10 years what it’s grown into and having our own space, it really is an amazing feeling,” said Schneid, who lives in Greensboro. “It makes me feel proud to be a part of something that’s grown and has such an impact on Jewish students and the Jewish community of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. It’s just awe-inspiring to see all the hard work that students continue to put in this program and I’m very thankful to have been a part of it.”