For the first time in years, Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel has a decidedly Conservative feel.

Following the elections of new leaders last November, all three elected members of the Hillel steering committee attend the Conservative worship services, causing some members to wonder whether there is a trend away from the traditionally Orthodox leadership of the past.

"Five years ago, Hillel had a ruling body which was almost entirely composed of Orthodox people," says Julia W. Andelman '97-'98, a member of Hillel's Conservative minyan, whose older sister was also a member. "Now the conception of the leadership has changed, as have the people."

Hillel members may attend Orthodox, Conservative or Reform worship services, called minyans.

Although the minyans are funded by Hillel, they are governed separately. Each minyan chooses its own leadership and plans its own services.

Over the past four years, Hillel members say the Conservative community within the Jewish student group has expanded greatly.

Between 60 and 80 undergraduates currently attend Friday night Conservative services, a number which has almost doubled in the past four years, according to outgoing Chair Ethan M. Tucker '97 and incoming Chair David J. Andorsky '97.

In fact, for the 1993-94 school year there was not even a rabbi for the Conservative minyan, according to Hillel Executive Director Bernard Steinberg.

The Conservative minyan is now the best-attended undergraduate worship service at Hillel. Approximately 40 Orthodox students and 10 reform students regularly attend their respective services, says Tucker, who is a Crimson editor.

Orthodox students tend to be very observant of the laws of the Talmud, and consequently usually eat only Kosher meals and sometimes attend services three times a day.

Conservative students tend to interpret Biblical teachings within a modern context, but still follow many of the Jewish laws, including keeping Kosher. They do not share the Orthodox interpretation of the teachings about women, according to Stephanie P. Wexler '97, a steering committee member and a Crimson editor.

Students in the Reform movement tend to follow the laws much less strictly than do members of the other minyans, choosing to use Judaism as a way to help guide their values, if not to control every action, says Reform minyan leader Larry E. Wilson '96.

A Trend?

The three most recent Hillel chairs--Andorsky, Tucker and Elie G. Kaunfer '95--have been Conservative. In the two years prior to that, the organization was chaired by Orthodox leaders.

According to Tucker, seven of the last eight steering committee members have been Conservative, following a period of strong Orthodox leadership.

But some see the increase in Conservative leaders as no trend at all.