Former UVM Hillel Student President Highlights LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Carnegie Mellon University Investigates Anti-Israel Messages and Alleged Call for Violence on Campus Fence
Hillel International Scales Peer-Led Jewish Learning Pilot to Boost Male Student Engagement
Initially developed at Penn State Hillel and supported by the Maimonides Fund, the Men to Mensches (M2M) initiative trains student facilitators to lead discussions on Jewish values and identity within their existing networks, including fraternities and athletics teams. This spring, Hillel International piloted M2M on 17 college campuses to address declining participation and leadership roles among male Jewish students. This model shifts professional staff into coaching roles while placing the ownership of the educational conversations onto the students themselves.
Jewish College Students Build Global Connections Through Hillel’s Birthright Trips
Eight University of Michigan Anti-Israel Activists Indicted on Counts of Vandalism and Threats
Expanding Jewish Campus Engagement Beyond The “Coffee Date”
Rabbi Miriam Hoffman to Join GW Hillel as Senior Jewish Educator
Rabbi Miriam Hoffman will join George Washington University Hillel in July as its senior Jewish educator after serving as program director at Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community in Rockville. She previously worked at Brandeis Hillel and interned at USC Hillel. Rabbi Hoffman will focus on supporting students in exploring their Jewish identity, community, and spirituality.
University of Arizona Student Reflects on Hillel International Internship
Courtney Saxe, a rising fourth-year student at the University of Arizona, extended her summer internship with Hillel International into a multi-year role supporting Jewish campus life and digital storytelling. Saxe credited the experience with giving her a meaningful opportunity to shape some of Hillel’s signature initiatives, including Content Creators Forum, noting, “I gained a new appreciation for the work happening behind the scenes at Hillel International, but what surprised me most was how much my own voice mattered.” She added that she never felt like “just an intern” because her perspective as a student was trusted and valued.
Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow Brings Chaplaincy To Jewish Campus Life
Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow, executive director of Northeastern Hillel, describes how she accompanies Jewish college students through moments of challenge and joy using a chaplaincy-informed approach grounded in presence, listening, and sustained relational support. Northeastern Hillel has piloted an innovative Clinical Pastoral Education program focused on Jewish community chaplaincy, campus life, and mental health that they hope to grow nationally next year.
Unity Dinners Connect Black and Jewish College Students Across U.S. Campuses
This academic year, Hillel International, the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, and UNCF sponsored 14 Black and Jewish Unity Dinner events across U.S. campuses to spark connection and dialogue between Black, Jewish, and Black and Jewish students. These dinners are building trust and relationships through in-person peer interaction, while countering rising antisemitism and racism. Surveys conducted post-event indicated that over 70% of attendees reported an increased understanding of both communities, while 87% expressed interest in future joint programming.
Southern Methodist University Hillel Grows Jewish Belonging and Safety on Campus Amid Rise in Antisemitism
Hillel at Southern Methodist University and campus leaders are helping Jewish students feel safe and supported following heightened security concerns at the school. In addition to working with campus police to increase patrols and coordination around Jewish student spaces, Hillel has expanded programming and visibility to show students there is a thriving Jewish community for them at the university. “Ever since coming to SMU, I’ve embraced my Jewish identity even more because [Hillel] gave me a place to feel like I’m at home. I really love it,” said second-year student Jaden Simkins.
Hillel International Expands Israel Education Initiatives to Support College Students
In response to the October 7th attacks and the increased need for trusted Jewish educators, Hillel International expanded its Israel education training to better equip campus professionals with the skills they need to support Jewish college students. Through initiatives like Masterclass: Israel and Sipurim, educators are learning how to facilitate honest conversations about complex topics. President and CEO Adam Lehman said students are seeking “trusted relationships, authentic conversation and educational communities strong enough to sustain both honesty and belonging.”