Vanderbilt Hillel held a ribbon cutting for its newly renovated Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life building on the university’s campus. The event was attended by community members, volunteers, Hillel board members, and many supporters. Attendees enjoyed mimosas and bloody marys, and munched on a lunch buffet prepared by Goldie Shepard in the building’s brand new kitchen, toured the new facility, and cheered the project’s leaders.
Ari Dubin, Hillel’s Executive Director, welcomed and gave thanks to those who led the two-year fundraising effort. Shannon Small, Hillel’s Development Director says, “This ribbon-cutting event was the culmination of two years of hard work from many volunteers, especially Cindee Gold and Alyssa Hassenfeld, our Kitchen Naming Campaign Chairs. We are so grateful to the Benjamin D. and Ruby G. Schulman Foundation, all our kitchen naming donors, and 20th anniversary donors for making this renovation possible.” She says the updated security and the new kitchen are key improvements and looks forward to a new school year in the expanded and improved spaces. “Some of the students have already come by to see the change to the programmatic spaces and are so excited for the year to start. Our renovated outdoor patio is making it possible to have our first-year orientation program in the building - our program for first year Jewish students is so large now we need the extra space! I’m so grateful to be working for Vanderbilt Hillel at this exciting time.”
Goldie Shepard says the ribbon cutting event was a full circle moment for her and Sylvia Shepard. “Sylvia Shepard is determined and devoted to making the world a better place. She started by nudging Ari Dubin and never let up. She was determined to get what we needed, and she did, plus a few extras. She raised the necessary funds and never caved; it all seemed simple to her.” Shepard was pleased to see so many generations of community members at the event. “People of all ages were in attendance and cutting that ribbon made the project tangible.”
Sylvia Shepard, 96, was accompanied by three generations of her family. Goldie Shepard says, “To say I am proud is an understatement, and truthfully my head is still spinning. Congratulations to all who participated and persevered.”
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