Why a new Building?
The UW-Hillel Board—comprised of students, alumni from across the nation, and local community leaders— initiated the capital campaign in response to Hillel’s growth over the past decade and the steadily increasing student population the facility serves. The old facility, built in 1956 to accommodate 1,200 Jewish students on the University of Wisconsin campus, was no longer able to sustain the current level of student activity. Student workspace doubled as staff workspace and there was simply too little space to support all of UW-Hillel’s activities—we were literally bursting at the seams.

The facility was old and tired, and was no longer served the needs of a 21st century student community. Today, UW-Hillel has a building that can accommodate the tremendous demand placed upon it by one of the largest and most active student populations in the country. The award-winning new Hillel, The Barbara Hochberg Center for Jewish Student Life, now stands as a landmark on Langdon; a welcoming and engaging place for Jewish students, their families and UW alumni to gather.

The goal of the University of Wisconsin Hillel capital campaign is to raise $11 million for construction costs of a new facility, and $3 million to endow a portion of the program, staff and operations of the new UW Hillel. To date, a little over $10.6 million has been raised for the new Hillel facility to be named the Barbara Hochberg Center for Jewish Student Life. While Hillel works hard to complete the building campaign, it is equally important to begin working in earnest to build the endowment.

The Barbara Hochberg Center has replaced the  two level, 5,963 GSF building with a 40,000 GSF "green" certified facility on 611 Langdon Street. The site is located at a critical juncture in the city of Madison where the adjacent residential neighborhood, primary downtown retail corridor and Campus fabric come together. The building will be comprised of four levels of program space over a below grade parking and service level.

The new facility includes multiple spaces for students to gather in a community setting for recreation, meals, classes, lectures, concerts, social events and studying. The community terrace, café, staff offices, and spacious lounge are located on the main or sidewalk level to create and encourage interaction with the greater campus community.

In step with UW-Hillel’s longtime commitment to social justice and environmental stewardship, Hillel will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “Silver” certification standards for a “green” building. The board feels it is UW-Hillel’s duty, and its long-term financial advantage, to adhere to government measured standards of sustainable and responsible development. The Board envisions the facility to be both an educational and social tool to increase the awareness of green and sustainable design practices on the University of Wisconsin campus and the greater Madison community. Construction commenced in January 2008, and the building opened to the public in August 2009. We encourage you to visit the new Hillel facility next time you are in Madison; the staff would be happy to give you a tour.