A dedicated entrance directly into Hillel will enhance the students' experience, while outdoor seating will ensure a lively and multifaceted space for programming and socializing.

Florida Atlantic University received a gift commitment of $2.6 million from Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach for the renovation and expansion of the Hillel space within the S.E. Wimberly Library on FAU’s Boca Raton campus. Plans for the new space include a modernized area to study, learn, socialize, host events –including large Shabbat dinners – a secured main entrance, and an outdoor covered seating area to accommodate additional programming for the benefit of FAU students and alumni, as well as the community.

In honor of the lead donor, Boca Raton philanthropist Debbie Newman Bernstein, FAU’s Board of Trustees has agreed to name the expanded space The Newman Bernstein Hillel at Florida Atlantic University. Bernstein is president and director of The William and Anita Newman Foundation, a family foundation that primarily supports Jewish organizations in Florida and New York and was established by her parents, Anita and William Newman, in 1985.

“We are grateful to Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach and to Debbie Newman Bernstein for this generous gift that will support vibrant Jewish student life on our Boca Raton campus,” said FAU President Stacy Volnick. “We are dedicated to ensuring that all students feel welcome at Florida Atlantic, and this gift will enable the University to meet the growing needs of our Jewish students.”

Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach provides a central meeting point for Jewish life at FAU, as well as at four other area universities – Palm Beach State College, Lynn University, Nova Southeastern University and Broward College. The organization’s mission is to enrich students in a welcoming and pluralistic environment by engaging them in meaningful experiences that foster connections to Judaism and Israel.

The Hillel Center at FAU, the Palm Beach headquarters of Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach, opened in 2006 with generous support from Mildred and Abby Levine and Ruth and Saul Weinberger. Since then, the Levine Weinberger Center for Jewish Life has served as a central gathering place for Jewish students on campus. Hillel is grateful to the Weinberger Family and the Weinberger Family Foundation for their continued ongoing support of Hillel and the substantial gift they have made toward this project.  

Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach serves more than 5,000 Jewish students across Broward and Palm Beach counties and offers social and networking events, community service projects, travel experiences to Israel, Jewish learning opportunities, free Shabbat dinners, and mentoring programs that integrate Hillel with the community. It is part of Hillel International, which represents Jewish students at more than 850 colleges and universities worldwide.  

“Building a home for FAU’s Jewish students is particularly meaningful for Debbie, as it combines her passion for nurturing the next generation along with her father’s unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish community,” said Brandey Edelson, board chair of Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach. “This extraordinary achievement not only addresses the immediate needs of Jewish students at FAU but also strengthens our commitment to creating a supportive and thriving environment across all campuses in our region. At this moment in history, it is more critical than ever to provide a safe and welcoming space on campus for Jewish students and the wider FAU community. While we've made significant progress, there is still much work ahead to ensure that every Jewish student feels secure, supported and empowered.”

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