A

s the Jewish Family 
Service social worker 
at Hillel of Metro 
Detroit, I know how important 
it is to address 
our students’ 
mental health 
and wellness for 
their academic 
success. This 
year, I planned 
a series of 
events for 
HMD students, including a 
presentation on safe drinking 
around Purim, a volunteer 
event packaging spices for the 
Detroit Community Kitchen 
and a session with therapy 
dogs to bring joyfulness. These 
events were all designed with 
their well-being in mind. 

I am excited to share 
upcoming summer events with 
students, including a pickleball 
workshop, a volunteer event 
and a trip to the zoo that 
incorporates mindfulness with 

the animals. Planning mental 
health programming has been 
incredibly rewarding. I view it 
as a way to integrate positive 
mental health practices with 
fun activities.
During college, I often 
wished for a social work 
resource at my local Hillel. 
Now, I am privileged to be in 
that role, helping to guide our 
diverse group of students and 
working with them to help 
them succeed. 
Each week, I would rotate 
between our six schools, 
making myself available to 
anyone who needed a friend 
or support. These meetings 
provided students with help 
with issues such as housing 
or transportation problems or 
help connecting them with the 
university counseling center. 
Our conversations included 
tools to manage anxiety, tips to 
reduce nerves while studying 
or offering a confidential ear 

to vent to.

This year has been very 
eventful at Hillel of Metro 
Detroit. Antisemitism on 
campuses has been at an all-
time high, and students have 
been seeking support from me 
and our staff. They come for 
comfort and guidance and help 
in reporting their experiences 
to the appropriate authorities. 
Reporting campus hate 
incidents can be daunting, so I 
work with the students to help 
them understand that it’s not 
their fault and that resources 
are available to support them. 
I also have private sessions 
with students to provide 
validation and assistance, 
acknowledging that this has 
been an incredibly challenging 
time for a Jewish student on 
campus.

Despite the challenges we’ve 
faced this year, I’ve grown to 
love my role and am eager 
to meet all the incoming 

freshman and transfer 
students. If you ever feel the 
need to talk, don’t hesitate 
to drop by our office at the 
Wayne State Student Center. 
You’ll easily spot me with my 
fun, daily-changing socks. We 
can chat about anything — 
your classes, love life, video 
games or the newest Marvel 
movie. I’m here to listen and 
support you!
I want to take a moment to 
express my deep appreciation 
for the incredible efforts of the 
Hillel of Metro Detroit team. 
They have worked tirelessly to 
ensure a positive and safe year 
for our students on campus. 
Their dedication is truly 
commendable.

If any incoming students 
want to connect, email me at 
jake@hillel-detroit.org, and we 
can get coffee this summer. @ 

Jake Rubin is the JFS social worker at 

Hillel of Metro Detroit. 

Mental Wellness Equals 
Academic Success

for college students 
by college students

Jake Rubin

Hillel social worker plans fun events with students’ well-being in mind.

A Mental 
Health Yoga 
event put on 
by Jake Rubin.

72 | MAY 23 • 2024