Latest News from Campus

Hillels across Canada are expanding counseling, peer-support circles, and wellness programming to help Jewish students manage heightened stress, anxiety, and safety concerns linked to increased antisemitism on campus. Staff are partnering with mental health professionals and offering more one-on-one support, group sessions, and resilience-building programs so students can access care while staying engaged in Jewish campus life.

Houston Hillel’s Shabbudies program at the University of Houston brings students together on Friday afternoons to “a warm, low-pressure space… where students can unwind, grab a snack, do something creative and ease into Shabbat in a way that feels accessible and genuinely restful.” The experience offers an alternative to commuter students  and others who have difficulty attending traditional Shabbat dinners on campus – and  provides a new way to deepen connections with Houston’s Jewish community.

Houston Hillel board members recently visited the weekly student lunch at University of Houston Hillel’s student lounge. The visit aimed to strengthen the connection between Houston Hillel’s lay leaders and students, offering firsthand insight into campus life.

Students on college campuses from across the U.S. who participate in the Israel Leadership Network (ILN) gathered in Austin, Texas, for a weekend focused on defining their personal why — why Israel matters to them, why they’ve chosen to lead conversations about Israel on their campuses, and how to inspire others to do the same. The weekend included sharing best practices, exploring how to engage diverse Jewish student populations, and building concrete plans for Israel-related programming at their respective colleges and universities.

Shay Bednarsh, a junior at Michigan State University (MSU), founded the Hillel Sports Club to create a welcoming space for Jewish students and sports fans to come together. Centered around Detroit Lions and Michigan St. watch parties, the club’s events bring the community together over free food, card games, and shared enthusiasm. Shay hopes to see the concept expand nationally, connecting Jewish students across campuses through their shared love of sports.

Hillels around the world celebrated Sukkot, which overlapped with the two-year anniversary of October 7th, by turning the festival into an opportunity for celebration and reflections. Many campuses offered dual programming, ensuring students had festive Sukkot events like “Sushi in the Sukkah” as well as October 7th remembrance programs. This allowed students to enjoy the holiday while also giving them a space to reflect and grieve.