Our Mission

Encounters@Shalom is the educational department of The Shalom Institute. The mission of The Shalom Institute is to advance Jewish engagement, learning and leadership within the post-secondary-school population in an inclusive manner, supportive of the local Jewish community and of Israel.

The Shalom Institute fulfils its mission by being a centre of excellence in the provision of programs and services for:

• university students (Hillel)
• young adults (Network)
• the broader community (Encounters)

 
Encounters@Shalom

• Provides a range of programs that promote Jewish learning and literacy, appealing to the great diversity of the Jewish community in NSW, including those with limited or no affiliation;
• brings together members of this diverse community in order to explore their common heritage and shared destiny, to engender a spirit of respect and understanding among them;
• is a reliable and respected source of information about Judaism and Jewish issues.
•  is supported by current and former students who are members of FRESH (Friends of Education at Shalom);

Network

• Is the roof body for Jewish young adult groups serving ages 18-39 in NSW, promotes and publicises the work of its constituents, and establishes new groups where a need has been identified;
• reaches out to and engages unaffiliated Jewish young adults;
• offers leadership programs, resources and consultancy services to Jewish young adult groups and individuals; and
• is the major point of contact for Jewish young adults.

 Hillel

• provides ongoing professional support, leadership development and educational consultancy services to AUJS in NSW and the ACT higher education institutions; and
• provides Jewish students with chaplaincy, counselling and support services, and represents the concerns of Jewish students to university administrations.

Shalom College

• provides and maintains a high standard Jewish residential facility for UNSW students where intellectual, cultural, moral, inter-personal and physical development are valued and fostered;
• provides a physical base for the activities of the Institute, and office accommodation for AUJS (a self-governing student society); and
• serves as the "Jewish address" on campus.