Hillel first appeared at Michigan State University (then Michigan State College) in 1939, holding meetings at People’s Church and later quartering above Jacobson’s furniture store. Hillel became a permanent fixture on campus in 1947. In the years that followed, Hillel was guided by Rabbi Aba Feinberg and served Jewish students at MSU by holding religious services, hosting dances, radio parties, speakers, publishing The Hillel Post and offering housing for Jewish students. Under the guidance of different rabbis, Hillel continued to develop and expand, advocating Jewish culture and religion on campus. It wasn’t until the 1980s that Hillel appointed an executive director who was not a rabbi. From the 1980s through 2000, Hillel’s popularity with students ebbed and flowed – never reaching full stride.

In 2000, Cindy Hughey was appointed as MSU Hillel’s first female director. Cindy’s immediate goal was to make Hillel a place where every Jewish student could feel welcome - to make Hillel a home away from home. Cindy and her staff initiated broad outreach programs, and based on student input and feedback, created innovative and dynamic programming, engaging more Jewish students than Hillel had ever seen.

By 2001, student participation was at an all time high. In fact, for Shabbat dinners both Hillel’s dining and living rooms were filled by students hungry for traditional Jewish foods and camaraderie. Initiatives to engage students were so successful that Hillel’s physical structure no longer could comfortably (or safely) accommodate the growing student community. A capital campaign was launched and, in fall 2002, after successfully raising $3.1 million, including a lead gift from the Prentis-Morris Family Foundation, the Lester J. Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center was dedicated.

With the opening of the new Lester J. Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center, student interest continued to surge. Students flocked to Hillel to study, for meetings and events, Shabbat dinners and Sunday brunches, or just to hang out. Once again, Hillel outgrew its dining, office and chapel space. In 2006, Cindy’s efforts to transform MSU Hillel were recognized by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life when she received the Richard Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award. In 2008, Hillel launched a second capital campaign. With the support of generous donors, the building expanded by 25% and was rededicated as the Lester and Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center. After 24 years of dedicated service, Cindy Hughey retired in December 2023. Robyn Hughey, who has been part of MSU Hillel for 16 years in various roles, now serves as the Executive Director. MSU Hillel remains a vibrant community center, supporting and enriching the lives of a growing Jewish student community.

MSU Hillel is "the place to be" for more than 3,500 Jewish students at MSU. Students take ownership of Hillel as their Jewish community center on campus. Our mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Together, we are building a new generation of Jewish leaders.

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To inspire every Jewish student to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life.

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MSU Hillel believes in the inherent worth and dignity of all people, for as the Jewish tradition teaches us, we are all created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. To that end, MSU Hillel is committed to pluralistic Jewish life on campus, a diverse workforce and the values of inclusivity. We appreciate all the identities, experiences and backgrounds each person brings. We welcome students, professionals and community members with respect for all abilities, races, ethnicities, socio-economic status, gender identities, sexual orientations, interfaith backgrounds or observances. We are invested in making our gatherings, resources and workplaces accessible for all and will work together with individuals to meet their needs so that they can experience the richness of Jewish life and community.

At MSU Hillel, we wish to include everyone. We also recognize we may not be meeting everyone’s needs. We want to hear from you. If you have an accommodation request for future programs or an accessibility concern, please let us know by emailing hillelspartan@gmail.com or a staff member for follow up.