UF Hillel Commemorates Three Years Since October 7th
University of Rochester Hillel Breaks Ground on New Jewish Student Center
Hillels Across North America Mark Three Years Since October 7th
Thousands of Jewish students at Hillels across North America marked three years since the October 7th attacks with vigils, exhibitions, art projects, speakers, and opportunities for reflection. At Hillel of Buffalo, students participated in a remembrance gathering and heard from Nova Festival survivor Atir Vinnikov, while University at Albany Hillel created a “Wings of Hope” art installation honoring those killed at Kfar Aza. Other Hillels, including University of Chicago, Penn State, and SLO Hillel, hosted campus-wide programs that shared the stories of those affected by October 7th and created space for students to find support and comfort.
Students Find New Perspectives on Israel Through Birthright
Hillel Rio Brings Hundreds Together for Sukkot
Op-Ed: Cultivating Lifelong Learning Through Israel Education
Hillel of San Diego Sees Record Student Engagement Across Four Campuses
Hillel of San Diego reports record start-of-year engagement across its four campuses, with more than 800 students participating and nearly 25% reaching the organization’s “deeply engaged” threshold of attending Hillel more than six times. Students are also seeking consistent weekly programs, meals, and community support while taking on leadership roles: from organizing a Shabbat service program at San Diego State University to managing recruitment and events at the University of San Diego and Cal State San Marcos.
Noa Tishby Joins CU Boulder Hillel for Panel on Identity and Bridge-Building
CU Boulder Hillel welcomed more than 100 students and community members for a panel featuring Israeli author and activist Noa Tishby, Lebanese Christian activist Jonathan Elkhoury, and Bahraini Muslim activist Fatema Al Harbi. The speakers discussed identity, Israel, and building relationships across differences as part of their Voices of the Middle East college campus tour. During a Q&A, students raised questions about navigating campus tensions and embracing Jewish pride, with the conversation emphasizing personal connection and dialogue.
Cornell Hillel CEO Examines Hasan Piker’s Harmful Appearance on Campus
In a recent op-ed, Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell CEO Rabbi Ari Weiss discussed activist Hasan Piker’s appearance at the university and the potential of Piker’s hateful words to incite violence. As Jewish life at Cornell was returning to normal in the post-October 7th world, Weiss said the event made Jewish students feel ostracized on campus, writing to the student body in The Cornell Daily Sun, “I understand that Piker has views that you may want to hear said aloud. Our community’s well documented experience over the last three years show that words, though cheap to say, have costs to those who hear them.”
University of Arizona Student Finds Community And Connection in the Hillel Sukkah
University of Arizona fourth-year student Courtney Saxe reflects on how Hillel helped her develop a deeper connection to Sukkot. Through meals, studying, conversations, and time with friends in the Hillel sukkah, Saxe began to see Sukkot as a tradition she could explore and make meaningful in her own life. Through Sukkot and Hillel programming more broadly, Saxe hopes other students find “not a prescribed way to be Jewish, but the space, community, and confidence to discover what being Jewish can mean to them.”
Rutgers Hillel Rabbi Creates a Sukkah of Belonging for Jewish Students
At Rutgers Hillel, students from across the Jewish community come together to celebrate Sukkot through programs like “Sushi in the Sukkah,” a student-led event featuring food, music, and community. Rabbi Josh Lobel, senior director of Jewish life and learning at Rutgers Hillel, draws a connection between the diverse elements of the lulav and the different backgrounds and perspectives students bring to Jewish life on campus. Together, he says these varied experiences create space for students to build relationships and find connection at Hillel.
University of Miami Hillel Celebrates Rosh Hashanah
University of Miami Hillel welcomed more than 150 members of the campus community for Rosh Hashanah celebrations. With Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat coinciding this year, Hillel held services and meals throughout the holiday weekend. Second-year student Mia Martin said, “Being away from home during the holidays can be tough, but Hillel and the campus community made me feel supported and accompanied.”