Celebrating Hillel’s Annual Commonwealth Kiddush Cup

Campus Hillels are one of the main vehicles in which students connect to Jewish life, and as such, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington deeply values our collaboration with the Hillels from across the DMV. Through these partnerships, we seek to build a more interconnected Jewish community and support young Jewish adults to keep Jewish values present as they navigate their personal and professional lives.

Continuing its long-standing tradition for an eleventh year, our partners at both Hillel at Virginia Tech and the Brody Jewish Center (Hillel at UVA) successfully completed another Commonwealth Kiddush Cup (CWKC). This event, which includes a fundraising competition between the two Hillels, serves as both organization’s largest annual fundraiser to support Jewish life on campus and across the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year’s CWKC started on November 27^th and ended on December 4^th, with both campuses meeting each other at Hillel International’s Gathering Assembly in Dallas, Texas for a nail-biting conclusion that ultimately saw UVA’s Hillel pull away with the victory for the second year in a row.

This year’s campaign was a milestone for both Hillels’ Executive Directors. It was Hillel at Virginia Tech’s new Director, Amanda Herring’s, first CWKC. “It was incredible to see the outpouring of support from our alumni in such a short period of time, this is an incredible tradition I’m lucky to be stepping into,” said Amanda Herring, reflecting on her first Commonwealth Kiddush Cup. It was also Rabbi Jake Rubin’s, Executive Director for the Brody Jewish Center, last as he transitions into a new role with Hillel International.

As punishment for “losing,” Herring had to wear UVA football gear and colors – head to toe. The physical trophy, a representation of the actual Commonwealth Cup exchanged between the two school’s football teams, will call the Brody Jewish Center home for another year.