Broomall native Ira Blum has taken the lessons learned from his parents, who were deeply engaged Jewish communal workers, with him to the University of Pennsylvania, writes Greg Johnson for Penn Current.

Blum, who is the director of Jewish student life at Penn Hillel, holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Muhlenberg College, as well as master’s degrees from the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University.

“I grew up in a more liberal, egalitarian Jewish community, but I would go to school with some orthodox students and some secular Jewish students,” he said.

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This exposure to diversified Jewish thought, practice, and character made Penn Hillel a natural fit for him.

“We are inclusive and open to all streams and all expressions of Jewish identity,” Blum said. We “provide the human resources to help direct people on their own path.”

He said that Penn Hillel also engages with cultural life on campus, including a weekly Shabbat dinner.

“Students will participate in that event out of a religious sense of obligation or commitment,” said Blum, but added that many others simply come for the food and camaraderie.

Read more about Ira Blum at Penn Current by clicking here.

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