UMass Amherst Student Brings Jewish Ritual Leadership Back to Campus
Hillel International and Repair the World’s Bridging Service Fellowship Returns for Second Year
New Hillel Director Looks to Build Community at Ithaca College
Hillel International Expands Shabbat Opportunities at 130+ Hillels
This fall, more than 130 Hillels will receive grants to expand Shabbat programming as part of Hillel International’s “Shabbat Surge,” a movement-wide effort to strengthen Shabbat experiences during the first six weeks of the semester. The initiative aims to bring more students together around the Shabbat table and create opportunities for connection and community. “There’s something really special about seeing students who might not otherwise cross paths sitting around the same table, laughing, talking, and creating community together,” said Ben Novorr, director of Jewish student engagement at University of Kansas Hillel.
Welcome Week Brings Jewish Students Together on Campus
Hillel International Welcomes Its 10th Student Cabinet Cohort at Annual Gathering
UC Berkeley Hillel to Celebrate 100 Years of Jewish Student Life
Pitt Student Ashley Mason Joins Hillel International Student Cabinet
University of Pittsburgh student and Hillel at Pitt student president Ashley Mason will serve on Hillel International’s 2026–27 Student Cabinet, joining 19 other Jewish student leaders from across the Hillel movement. Mason, a senior studying early childhood and special education, plans to share Pitt’s model of an interconnected Jewish community with fellow student leaders while helping Hillel International develop strategies to engage students, strengthen programming, and expand Israel education.
Clemson University Launches Its First Professionally Staffed Hillel
Clemson University’s first professionally staffed Hillel will open this fall, expanding Jewish programming, support, and leadership opportunities for its growing community of Jewish students. Jewish student participation at Clemson has increased fivefold in recent years, with an estimated 500 Jewish undergraduates now on campus. “Clemson’s growing Jewish student community deserves a professionally staffed Hillel that can provide Jewish students their fuller opportunities for Jewish joy, pride, and leadership,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman.
Hillel Ontario CEO Advocates for Stronger Jewish Campus Life Amid Antisemitism
In an opinion piece, Hillel Ontario CEO Jay Solomon examines rising antisemitism on Canadian college campuses and calls on administrators to do more to protect Jewish students. At the same time, Solomon says these students need more opportunities to explore their Jewish identities and live joyful Jewish lives on campus.
Duke University Establishes Permanent Campus Rabbi Role with $2.5 Million Endowment
Jewish Life at Duke established a $2.5 million endowment to permanently fund its full-time campus rabbi, ensuring Jewish students will have ongoing access to rabbinic leadership, pastoral care, and Jewish learning for generations to come. Rabbi Elana Friedman, who has served as Duke’s campus rabbi since 2015, said, “Every conversation, coffee chat, Shabbat meal, moment of celebration or challenge at Duke is an opportunity for students to discover meaning, purpose, awe, resilience, and hope.”
Northeastern Hillel Mourns Longtime Supporter Richard Lesser
Northeastern University honors the life of Richard Lesser, a 1957 graduate, longtime university trustee, philanthropist, and co-founder of Reebok USA, who passed away recently at age 91. Lesser supported Northeastern Hillel since its founding in 1962 and remained deeply involved for decades, regularly checking in to ensure Jewish students had a strong campus community available to them. He also encouraged connections between Hillel and other campus groups, believing in the importance of building bridges across differences.
Hillel and Jewish Greek Life Work Together to Help Students Build Community on Campus
For many Jewish college students, Hillel and Jewish Greek life organizations like AEPi offer spaces to build friendships, celebrate Jewish life, and develop leadership skills. Students at Northeastern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Iowa describe how participating in both communities shapes their Jewish identities and strengthens their sense of belonging on campus. Said Northeastern student Noah Ben-Zion, “thanks to my community at Northeastern, both in Hillel and AEPi, which for me are very intertwined, I was lucky enough to feel safe and protected by those around me.”