University of Michigan Hillel Centennial Campaign
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“JustinWedes was easy to work with and was able to understand our goals easily.”
– Davey Rosen, then-CEO & Rabbi, University of Michigan Hillel
Project Overview
For its Centennial Campaign, University of Michigan Hillel set out to honor 100 years of Jewish life in Ann Arbor while building momentum for the century ahead. Like many campus alumni communities, Michigan Hillel's stakeholders were spread across a broad geography and many interconnected networks. Hillel needed a campaign that could reach both wide and deep to cultivate connection to a nostalgic childhood "home away from home" while also planting a seed of collective encouragement for the future of a critical community institution in a tumultuous time for campus Jewry.
I helped shape a cohesive campaign identity by refreshing the organization’s logo, website, and social media presence and producing an emotionally driven Impact Video featuring testimonials from students, staff, and leadership. Together, these elements connected Hillel’s history to its ongoing role as a vital source of community, belonging, and Jewish life on campus.
Execution
I also chaired the event marketing committee with fellow alumni and stakeholders, helping guide the promotion and production of a landmark centennial celebration at Michigan Stadium in March 2026 featuring renowned comedians The Sklar Brothers. The event brought together hundreds of students, alumni, families, donors, and community leaders from across the country and around the world. The event wasproduced by writer/producer Wendy Shanker, a Umich alum.
Results
Through coordinated storytelling, branding, video, and event marketing, the campaign raised more than $500,000 to support future programming and resources for Jewish students at the University of Michigan. The event generated significant social media and traditional press coverage, and was well-attended - one of the largest fundraising events in the organization's history.
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"
– University of Michigan Hillel review of JustinWedes on Clutch.co