Hillel of the University of Minnesota records

The precursor to Hillel on the University of Minnesota campus was the Menorah Society. Founded in 1903, the Menorah Society, also called the University Jewish Literary Society, was created to "cultivate interest in and discussion of topics related to Judaism," although it mainly acted as a social group. It enrolled Jewish faculty members and most of the Jewish students on campus, a group that was predominantly male. However, by 1926 nearly 50 percent of the society's 180 members were women. Funding and the lack of a permanent home were early concerns, and despite growing membership and activitity, the Menorah Society never had its own home. In the 1930s the United Jewish Fund gave them an emergency grant. Several other Jewish groups also existed on campus at the time, sponsored by Temple Israel (a local Minneapolis synagogue) and various Jewish professional and social fraternities and sororities.

Hillel International is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, starting first at the University of Illinois in 1923 and branching out to eventually include students at more than 550 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. The University of Minnesota Hillel Society was founded in 1940 with Rabbi Louis Milgrom acting as its first director, a position he would hold for 27 years. By 1941 the membership was over 500 members who enjoyed a full agenda of programs including classes, discussion groups, debate, drama, and social activities. Hillel activities were intended not to overlap with those of existing Jewish groups on campus, including the Menorah Society, which eventually merged with Hillel. The lack of a permanent home was an issue as early as 1943, and the United Jewish Fund and Council sanctioned a fund drive in 1945. Even without a home, activities included a model seder, Friday night services and dinners, and activities such as vocational guidance for returning veteran students. A permanent building, which remains their home to this day, was purchased in 1956 on University Avenue on the East Bank of the campus.

The Hillel program is funded by B'nai B'rith and the Jewish community federations, with supplementary funds provided by the university, alumni, and students. In the 1960s and 1970s, problems such as insufficient funding, unpaid pledges and declining student interest became more serious. New services such as non-credit Jewish studies classes, a kosher meat cooperative, and a Jewish bookstore were offered to increase relevance for its constituency. Rabbi Moshe Adler led Hillel through the 1970s and into the 1980s; in 1984 Rabbi Irvin Wise became the executive director. In 1981 the facilities were renovated. Currently, Hillel boasts a vibrant and engaged community with the continued vision of inspiring students to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel. For more information regarding Hillel of the University of Minnesota, visit their website at ujnews.com