Yudowitz Center
for Jewish Campus Life
The Yudowitz Center for Jewish Campus Life at Cornell Hillel was established in 1998 with a generous legacy gift from Dr. Bernard Yudowitz (z’l), class of 1955, and Evelyn Yudowitz, class of 1956. Their generous support and leadership is the catalyst that launched Hillel at Cornell into a renaissance of programming and new possibility for the Jewish student community at Cornell. Since the turn of the 21st century, Hillel has grown from a two-member staff and limited programming to a staff of 12 who, along with dozens of student leaders, facilitate hundreds of programs each year that celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of the Jewish experience.
Hillel’s space in Cornell’s Anabel Taylor Hall proudly bares the Yudowitz Center name and the Yudowitz endowment established by Bernie and Evelyn supports Hillel’s Jewish student engagement and fundamental programs that enrich Jewish campus life for thousands of Cornellians each year. As we expand into our new home at 722 University Avenue, the Yudowitz Center will continue to power programming across our multiple spaces on campus.
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In the 1950s, Bernie and Evelyn met at B’nai Brith services as Cornell students and were later married by longtime Cornell Hillel Director Rabbi Morris Goldfarb. Both Bernie and Evelyn were active members of Hillel throughout their years on campus. Bernie was also involved with the “Kosher Co-op,” driving to Syracuse to get Kosher meat for the group to cook and eat together, and he represented the Jewish community in Cornell student government and served as a member of the Hillel Council for all 4 years. Bernie also worked beyond campus and with the Ithaca community to combat antisemitism by providing landlords with Cornell bear stickers to put on their doors indicating that they welcome Jewish tenants. Later, Bernie and Evelyn sponsored a series of lectures at Cornell Law on subjects such as racism, equality, and freedom. As students, Bernie and Evelyn sought out community and worked to protect it and to help it flourish; and they continued their dedication to our Jewish community well beyond their graduation through their support of Hillel and kosher food on campus.
Bernard (z'l) and Evelyn Yudowitz​
Grinspoon Hillel is forever indebted to Bernie and Evelyn for their transformational gift establishing the Yudowitz Center for Jewish Campus Life and for their continued generosity, guidance, and volunteer leadership spanning decades.
In recognition of their impact and ongoing legacy, in 2025, Grinspoon Hillel inaugurated the Yudowitz Prize for Jewish student leadership. The prize is awarded annually at our spring gala to a student or recent graduate for their exemplary leadership of the Jewish community on campus.
Anne Yudowitz, daughter of Bernie and Evelyn, with Melanie Schwartz '25, the inaugural Yudowitz Prize recipient at Hillel's gala in 2025.