But others say they see meals at Hillel as achance to step back from the bustling diversity ofHarvard's campus.

"The social opportunities of being able to hangout with people who are like me is a break frombeing with people who aren't like me," says JoshuaHeller '94. "[Hillel] offers a friendly,protective environment."

The reputedly better-than-dining-hall food alsoaccounts for Hillel's appeal: "That's the maindraw," says one recent dinnertime guest, whodeclined to give her name.

But Hillel has not always been the activecommunity students say it is today. Theorganization was once housed at a distant locationnear the Divinity School, which Finestone sayskept its membership small.

Its present location at 74 Mt. Auburn St. and adeliberate campaign to foster a more inclusiveimage have increased student participationsignificantly.

"I think since the '80s that Jewish studentshave been more cohesive," says Finestone. "Thestructure and location of the Hillel has made thateasier."

In the past, students say, there was awidespread perception that Hillel regulars werecliquishness toward outsiders.

According to Held, the organization's leadersare currently engaged in programs to try to reachthe 80 percent of the College's Jewish studentswho do not participate in Hillel activities.

Held points to cultural and social programslike discussion groups, Israeli dancing, andSunday morning bagel brunches as draws for Jewishstudents interested in exploring non-religiousaspects of their heritage.

Although the situation is improving, somestudents say, the cliquishness is not entirelygone.

"Hillel is a really hard place to go alone,"says Stephanie Stein '94.

Richard Abrahmson '94 says he thinks manyJewish students see Hillel as "a very cliquishcommunity," but notes that "in reality, there areJews from all kinds of backgrounds."

Similarly, while Heller says that "it'scertainly possible to hide out in Hillel," hethinks the number of students who do so is small.Finestone estimates that approximately one-thirdof students active in Hillel use it as "analternative to Harvard life."

But for the majority of Hillel regulars, theorganization is "a supplement to their life atHarvard and not a barrier to it," she says.

The sense of a limited social pool is onereason a number of Jewish students say they do notspend much time in the Hillel building.