News

by Dara Harper 

Behind some of Hendricks Chapel’s most impactful student veteran support programs lies a generous donor. As a Syracuse University alumna and parent of a U.S. military veteran, the donor – who asked to remain anonymous for this story – became keenly aware of the challenges facing military service members, particularly those who attend university after military service. This personal family connection has led the donor to spark and sustain support for various initiatives through Hendricks Chapel in partnership with the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) and The David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. These programs include the Student Veteran Support Fund, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Resiliency Program and the Moral Injury Project. 

The donor, who has a background in healthcare, became particularly invested in veterans’ causes after a family member served in Iraq and subsequently developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This firsthand experience highlighted the need for veteran support services, which are not always available through traditional channels. 

“When a veteran has this kind of problem, they need help now,” the donor explains. “That’s why I want to support programs like the Moral Injury Project and the OVMA Resiliency Program.”  

The donor’s support extends beyond mental health initiatives. Through her involvement with Hendricks Chapel, she has come to understand the unique challenges facing student veterans. “They might come in here as a first-year student at 24 years old, and they just don’t have the same concerns as an 18-year-old student,” she notes. “They’ve had life experiences that their fellow students haven’t had.” 

“They’ve had life experiences that their fellow students haven’t had.” 

Anonymous Donor

This understanding of veterans’ distinct needs has led to providing support funds that can be quickly distributed when student veterans face urgent situations. The donor emphasizes the importance of having resources available for immediate needs, whether it’s helping a student get home for an emergency or accessing mental health support without delay. 

The connection between Hendricks Chapel, the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, and The David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, represents a unique partnership that the donor and others see as particularly valuable. Her own connection to Hendricks Chapel has been strengthened over the years, from receiving a nursing diploma decades ago to watching her child benefit from the Chapel’s meaningful presence during challenging times, including September 11, 2001. 

The donor’s commitment to faith-based support and veteran services stems from her understanding of how these two elements can work together to support students. While her personal faith background is Christian, she appreciates how Hendricks Chapel provides support to students of all faiths, creating an environment for all student veterans seeking care. 

Syracuse University has the longest continual ROTC program in the country, which started in 1918 as the Students Army Training Corp. The donor notes that the university’s strong commitment to veterans, demonstrated through conversations with senior administration, helped reinforce her dedication to these causes. 

Established in 1930 as a home for all faiths and place for all people, Hendricks Chapel now sponsors over 1,900 programs for more than 900,000 annual attendees. Hendricks Chapel hosts 16 chaplains who represent 6 world religions and over 25 religious and spiritual life groups. We employ student workers, support musical ensembles, offer care through the Student Veteran Support Fund, Student Opportunity Fund and The Coach Mac Food Pantry, and partner throughout the campus community to ensure academic excellence at a university welcoming to all. 

“We appreciate that these veterans want to come back to school,” the donor says, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who have served as they pursue their educational goals. Through continued support, she helps ensure that student veterans at Syracuse University have access to both the practical and spiritual resources they need to succeed. 

To donate to the Student Veteran Support Fund, please visit the website or call the Hendricks Chapel office at 315.443.2901. 

by Michela Wallach ’27

When I began working at Hendricks Chapel as a Communications Associate, I wasn’t sure what the job would entail. I thought I would be doing the mundane tasks of a traditional office job, but my experiences thus far tell a different story. I’ve attended the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and engaged with the Syracuse University community in simple, yet rewarding ways like handing out frisbees to students and tabling at events.  

This past month, Dara Harper, the head of communications at Hendricks Chapel, asked me to write a story about the Jizo statue-making event sponsored by Hendricks Chapel’s Buddhist Chaplaincy. As a secular Jew myself, I have never felt strongly connected to religion in the “religious” sense, but more so to the community and cultural aspects.  

In my New Jersey hometown, I was always surrounded by Jewish family and neighbors, attended synagogue, and was Bat-mitzvahed. Now, I would say I have learned more about the values of being Jewish through the hearts of my friends and family than through prayer and observance. 

Naturally, when I attended the Jizo statue-making event, I was a little nervous that I would feel out of place at a Buddhist event. However, this was far from the truth. I spoke with Sensei JoAnn Cooke, the Buddhist chaplain at Hendricks Chapel, who shared with me that her teacher, Singe Roshi, is Jewish and that people who practice Buddhism—especially in the United States—often come from other traditions.  

When someone enters a temple, they bow to the spirit in their own hearts and then they remember that we are all essentially Buddhas.

Sensei JoAnn Cooke

“The Jizo statue represents an Enlightened being who comes back to Earth to help others, and is a protector of children, travelers, people in transition, and people who have passed away and are navigating the six worlds of Buddhism,” said Sensei JoAnn. “When someone enters a temple, they bow to the spirit in their own hearts and then they remember that we are all essentially Buddhas.”  

At the event, I met Janna Vranken, the vice president of Buddhist Meditation Association at SU (BMA) who leads meditations at Hendricks Chapel weekly. I attended one of her sessions, which was a special experience because it was the first time I had ever meditated for longer than a few minutes.  

The group sat in meditation for 15 minutes and then chatted about our experience. I became aware of physical feelings I had never noticed before: the tightness in my spine, tension in my jaw, and the irregularity of my breath. During the meditation, I was able to observe these sensations without judgement and discuss them openly. 

Janna also told me about sound-bathing at the Barnes Center at the Arch. A sound bath is a meditative practice of listening to resonant sounds made by gongs and singing bowls, that create a relaxing atmosphere to reduce stress. I immediately signed up and invited my friend Maddie too! 

During my experiences with Jizo statue-making, meditation, and sound-bathing, I realized something very important: it’s worthwhile to do things out of our comfort zone. I never thought that playing with clay for a few hours would lead me down this path of exploration, but I am so glad it did.  

I believe Hendricks Chapel is an invaluable resource for student’s college experience that many do not take full advantage of. At Hendricks Chapel, we have the opportunity to engage with others and to build trust and understanding, because Hendricks Chapel isn’t just a place of prayer, but a place of community. It’s a place we can meet and learn from one another.

March 28, 2025

Recently, Lucy Gonzalez, a communications associate at Hendricks Chapel, asked some of Hendricks Chapel’s hospitality associates about their role at the chapel. Hendricks Chapel hires several (up to 50 per year!) hospitality associates to help with events and cover the welcome desk. Here’s what Lucy heard from some of our student employees:

The easiest thing to do is welcome others with a smile. Also, I’ve learned people may not ask for help, but they still need it. I always approach groups hosting events in the Chapel and check to see if they need assistance. —Anna Dyjach ’28 

My favorite events are the a cappella events because it’s like I’m living out my Pitch Perfect dreams in real life. —Isabelle Rodriguez ’26 

Hendricks Chapel really is the heart of campus, both physically and spiritually. I’ve built a lot of relationships through working at the Chapel and I’ve made many new friends who have different spiritual backgrounds than my own. I come here and it doesn’t feel like I’m working. —Dylan Lehouiller ’25 

Hendricks Chapel really is the heart of campus, both physically and spiritually.

Dylan ’25

Working at Hendricks Chapel is very organized! Our supervisors, Nadine and Alex, have things down to a science. That makes our job as hospitality associates so much easier. If there is confusion, I text them and they get back to me immediately. At Hendricks Chapel, the staff listens to your problems and thoughts, I always feel included. —Brenna Butler ’27  

It’s really cool to meet a variety of students who aren’t in classes with me. As an architecture student, I don’t have much time outside of my schoolwork and I like meeting and helping people at the Chapel. —Danna Ochoa ’29 

Last week during my shift, the Muslim Student Association was holding Ramadan prayer upstairs and the Christian Protestant Chaplaincy was holding a worship service downstairs. At any given time, I have an opportunity to learn about faith practices different than my own! —Lillie Kochis ’28 

My favorite part of working at Hendricks Chapel is connecting with the staff members and having People’s Place right here to get a coffee during my shift! The staff is fun, understanding and kind. Everyone treats each other with respect and they genuinely value the hospitality associates and the work we do. —AJ Jaramillo ’27 

World’s largest Jewish college organization convened campus leaders, for the 2024 Global Assembly, recognized extraordinary leadership efforts.

Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, honored outstanding Hillel professionals and campus Hillels for their exemplary efforts in supporting Jewish students at colleges and universities. The awards were presented during the 2024 Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA), an annual gathering of Hillel professionals from around the world. 

Hillel International awarded Syracuse Hillel with an Excellence Award, which celebrates success achieved in a specific area of Hillel work, whether through the strengthening of a local relationship or the creation and solidification of new or existing relationships.

Syracuse Hillel’s FreshFest, a signature pre-orientation event at Syracuse University, set a new milestone this year with a record-breaking turnout of over 350 first-year students, the largest of any Hillel. Designed to help incoming students and their families transition to college life, FreshFest fosters connections and builds a sense of community before classes even begin. Many participants credit the event with forming their first friendships on campus, with some relationships lasting beyond their college years. The program’s excellence is bolstered by Syracuse Hillel’s partnership with Syracuse University as a chaplaincy of Hendricks Chapel, which has enabled the program, including a Family Breakfast in the JMA Wireless Dome, to continue to grow and flourish. FreshFest exemplifies Syracuse Hillel’s mission to provide a welcoming, inclusive space where students can explore their Jewish identity and find a supportive community that endures long after graduation.

“We are so inspired by campus Hillels and professionals who are dedicated to building vibrant communities for Jewish students at a time when they need it most. Syracuse Hillel has been a true leader in creating welcoming and inclusive spaces on campus for Jewish exploration and learning, and giving Jewish students the opportunity to thrive,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman. “Every Hillel, including Syracuse, has been core to the strength of Jewish students this year, and we are so proud of the work they are doing.”

In the presence of more than 1,200 colleagues and supporters in the global Hillel community, the awardees were selected for their leadership and impact in advancing Hillel’s mission to enrich the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. 

“FreshFest is the heart of what we do at Syracuse Hillel, and winning the Excellence Award at this year’s HIGA is a testament to the incredible dedication of our staff, students, and university partners,” said Jillian Juni, executive director of Syracuse Hillel. “Our team works tirelessly each year to create a meaningful and welcoming experience that sets the tone for students’ entire college journey. I’m so proud of the hard work and passion that make FreshFest such a success, and I’m deeply grateful to the university and our students, who continue to inspire us to build an even stronger community.”

Last night, Eboo Patel, the founder and president of Interfaith America, shared his vision of what the future can hold for our country and our world. To a crowd of nearly 300 community members, he shared several messages of hope and responsibility to weave us together.

Here are Eboo’s 5 points for moving forward in a thoughtful society:

1. Diversity is a treasure.
2. Identify is a source of pride.

3. Cooperation is better than division.
4. Faith is a bridge.
5. Everyone is a contributor.

Here are a few key ideas from the evening:

“I think there are things in America that we should cherish. We should nurture those things in the light and in the dark.” —Eboo Patel

There is great wisdom in not embarrassing people.

Diversity is not just the differences you like.

Whoever is in charge politically is not in charge of civilization.

“I am moved by gentle things that change consciousness.” —Eboo Patel

For a full story of the evening, Shivika Gupta ’27 of The Daily Orange wrote an article on the lecture.

This event is SOLD OUT!

BUY TICKETS:

• Syracuse University staff, faculty, and the general public (dinner and program): $40
• Students (dinner and program): $20 See below for additional ticket information!

Sarah Willie-LeBreton, the 12th president of Smith College and daughter of Syracuse University’s first Black full professor, department chair, and vice president, Charles Willie G’57, H’92, will serve as featured speaker for the 40th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in the JMA Wireless Dome at Syracuse University.

This year’s theme is: “Living History.”

Tickets are now available. Due to a special 40th anniversary combined dinner program setting, guests are encouraged to reserve their tables and seats as soon as possible.

This annual event is known as the largest of its kind on any college campus. The dinner program seeks to honor the life and legacy of a leader who brings hope and healing to our world and is a direct expression of Syracuse University’s commitment to advancing academic excellence at a university welcoming to all.

“Forty is a special number, and forty years is a special commitment. We are honored to welcome President Sarah Willie-LeBreton as our featured speaker for this historic 40th anniversary celebration,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel. “Through her remarkable impact built through years of dedicated service, President Willie-LeBreton honors her father’s legacy by creating a legacy of her own, and she inspires us all to spark and sustain a better world.”

Sarah Willie-LeBreton, Ph.D. is the 12th president of Smith College. An accomplished administrator, scholar, and sociologist who studies social inequality and race & ethnicity, Willie-LeBreton is known for her commitment to the liberal arts, strengthening community, and energizing the work of equity and inclusion.

Willie-LeBreton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College in 1986, and an M.A. (1988) and Ph.D. (1995) from Northwestern University, all in sociology. After having taught at Colby College (1991–1995) and Bard College (1995–1997) in tenure-track appointments, she was tenured at Swarthmore College, where she served as coordinator of the Black Studies Program and chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology for a total of 17 years. She was appointed as provost and dean of the faculty at Swarthmore in2018 and served in that role until 2023.

President Willie-LeBreton currently serves on the boards of the Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, and the Consortium on Financing Higher Education. She is a member of and has been active in the Eastern Sociological Society, Sociologists for Women in Society, the Association of Black Sociologists, and the American Sociological Association (ASA). For several years, she reviewed sociology and affiliated departments as a member of the ASA’s Departmental Resources Group.

Willie-LeBreton follows in the footsteps of her father, the late Charles Willie G’57, H’92, who came to Syracuse University in 1950 as a graduate student and teaching assistant in sociology. He later earned his doctorate in 1957 from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. When he was appointed chair of the sociology department in 1967, he became the first Black department chair in Syracuse University history and later, the first Black full professor. He served as vice president for student affairs from 1972-74, becoming the University’s first Black vice president. A graduate and class president of the Morehouse College class of 1948, Willie’s legacy will forever be tied to his classmate Martin Luther King Jr., whom he recruited to the Syracuse University campus to speak in 1961 and 1965.

Our 2025 program marks the 40th year for the MLK Celebration at Syracuse University, which will include an address from Willie-LeBreton, student and community group performances, and a presentation of this year’s Unsung Hero Awards.

Dinner buffets will open at 5 p.m. and will be held near the JMA Dome’s west end zone. Guests can enter the “Courtside Lounge and Suites” entrance located between Gates A and B. Halal, Kosher, gluten-free and vegetarian options will be available. This year all guests will remain at the tables for the program.

Ticket purchase options are as follows:

• Syracuse University staff, faculty, and the general public (dinner and program): $40
• Students (dinner and program): $20Click here for general tickets and here for student tickets.

All tickets will be assigned a table number at the time of purchase, which will be included in the mobile tickets. Guests interested in sitting with friends are recommended to purchase tickets together to ensure the same table assignment. If your school, college, unit or organization has purchased tables, please email chapel@syr.edu to let us know so we can create a table card with your organization’s name!

Guests may order up to 8 dinner and program tickets online. To purchase one full table (8 seats), select 8 total tickets and proceed to checkout. To purchase more than one table or more than 8 individual tickets, or if experiencing difficulties, please call the JMA Dome Box Office at 1.888.DOME.TIX (315.443.2121), option four.

Buy tickets online at mlk.syr.edu, in person at the Dome Box Office inside Gate B at 900 Irving Ave. (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or by phone (888.DOME.TIX or 315.443.2121, option four). Tickets will be mobile this year and uploaded directly to your MyCuse account to manage upon purchase. View the step-by-step guide on mobile ticketing for more information.

Free parking is available in the Irving Avenue Garage, the Raynor Lot, Henry Lot and the Standart Lot. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, AIRA and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available for the event.

For more information about the MLK Celebration or to request accommodations, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901. Learn more about this and other Hendricks Chapel events by visiting chapel.syracuse.edu.

An ongoing tradition hosted by Hendricks Chapel and the Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts of Syracuse University, “Holidays at Hendricks” celebrates the sounds of the season and is anchored by the Hendricks Chapel Choir and its director José “Peppie” Calvar, professor of applied music and performance and assistant director of choral activities in the Setnor School. You can still register for the virtual concert which will be available on Dec. 19.

By Dara Harper

Rabbi Ethan Bair and Imam Amir Durić, chaplains at Hendricks Chapel, model how friendship and understanding can transcend and transform adversity. Through the Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship they co-founded, Bair and Durić have helped the Syracuse University campus community unlock the potential of religious and spiritual diversity, and their shared efforts are receiving national recognition.

Each year, Interfaith America, founded by Eboo Patel and known as one of the nation’s premier interfaith organizations, chooses exemplary leaders as Interfaith Innovation Fellows. Out of over 200 applicants across the country, both Durić and Bair were chosen. The Fellowship awards grant funding to leaders with an inspirational vision for social change. Durić and Bair will network with cohort members, learn from one another’s projects, participate in a retreat geared toward professional development, and work with mentors at Interfaith America. Along with Durić and Bair, nine other Fellows representing various worldviews and projects were also named as Fellows.

After Bair and Durić first met at a Hendricks Chapel retreat in 2022, they perceived potential not just for their friendship but for the opportunities to continue the interfaith work they both valued. “Interfaith work has always been a priority for me,” said Bair. “Amir and I really only knew each other for a year before we created this Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship and applied for our first grant from Interfaith America. I’ve been an ordained rabbi for 15 years and have dedicated myself to interfaith work in every position I’ve held. What’s new is being able to work with an ordained Muslim imam who shares so many of my values. That is a blessing.”

Durić completed his undergraduate degree in Sarajevo, Bosnia, which is known for its religious and spiritual diversity. In one part of the city, you can locate a mosque, synagogue and cathedral all on one city block. However, when he attended the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace seminary in Connecticut, he was able to observe interfaith dialogue in practice. Durić remembered visiting campus when two friends (one Jewish, one Muslim) came to speak about a summer project. Their organization in California visited the Middle East to bring together Jews, Muslims and Christians. “I was like, wow, this is really powerful. They are investing time, and resources just to invite people to have a meal together,” said Durić. “So when Rabbi Bair joined Syracuse University, I felt we could team up, and that was really a blessing.”

A Friend for Virtue and Creating Connections for Students

According to Bair, in Jewish tradition there are teachings about finding a mentor, acquiring a friend, and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. “There are a few different versions of friends, and the top level is a friend for virtue. I feel like Amir and I are friends for virtue,” said Bair. “Our friendship helps us become better people. We talk about our values, our vision for our own chaplaincies, and also for what we can do together.”

Bair and Durić’s friendship extends into their work as chaplains in various ways. As chaplains serving minority religious groups, the pair have a unique opportunity to create more understanding between their respective communities. Bair notes that their partnership and fellowship are focused on creating intentional space between two communities that rarely meet each other. “There are so many unique similarities between Jews and Muslims, such as dietary rules and holidays that follow the lunar calendar,” he said. “And, of course, there are differences as well.”

What’s Next?

The imam and rabbi have already implemented the Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship, which has created support and understanding during an undoubtedly challenging year for their students. Now, the two are seeking to create a Living Learning Community (LLC) in which Muslim and Jewish students can live communally in a residence hall. They hope the LLC will build the foundation for shared communities, lasting friendships, understanding, and imagination. Syracuse University offers over 25 LLCs, such as “Arts and Expression,” “Education,” and “Science and Technology.”

Durić and Bair will travel to Chicago for a retreat with the other Interfaith Innovation Fellows in mid-November. In addition to the work they’ll be doing with their Interfaith America cohort, they’ll be working on their second round of Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowships and creating opportunities for their students to build relationships and support their communities through kindness and service.

Both Bair and Durić are grateful for their experience at Hendricks Chapel and the support they receive from both the Chapel and Syracuse University. “When we enter spaces that are not Hendricks Chapel, I recognize how challenging it is what we’re doing. And yet, I am very comfortable here and I feel so much support for the kind of work and relationships that we build. The entire team of Hendricks is supportive and it’s an example of helping across the boundaries of religion, of worldviews, of race, of whatever we can think of,” said Durić. “Hendricks Chapel is an example of how it looks when we elevate ourselves and go beyond those boundaries that often limit what we can do.”

For more information on Hendricks Chapel’s chaplaincies and programs, visit the website or call 315.443.2901.

When an anonymous donor family pledged $1 million to Hendricks Chapel and issued a challenge to inspire other donors to match it, no one could foresee the extraordinary outpouring of support for what is widely known as the spiritual heart of Syracuse University. The donor family promised an additional $1 million if the challenge could be met. Since last March, more than 2,500 donors stepped up to meet—and exceed—the challenge, raising $1,757,496.

That brings the total funds raised as part of this campaign to more than $3.7 million, significantly amplifying the impact of the initial pledge. “Hendricks Chapel is such an important part of the Syracuse experience for not only our students and alumni, but for faculty, staff, parents and friends,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “This outpouring of support is the direct result of the good work Hendricks Chapel does every day to foster belonging, friendship and acceptance within our campus community. It is truly in the spirit of Hendricks Chapel that so many who benefited from its programs made gifts to support a strong interfaith community for the next generation of students.”…

Read more in the full SU News story!