Latest News from Campus

Two Syracuse University students have been charged with a hate crime after allegedly throwing pork into a Jewish fraternity house during the Jewish new year celebration of Rosh Hashanah. The university condemned the act and referred the students for potential disciplinary action. Local authorities emphasized the charges reflect the targeted nature of the incident against Jewish students during a high holiday.

Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar addressed concerns of antisemitism during Hillel’s annual meeting, emphasizing and outlining the institution’s commitment to supporting Jewish students. Three Jewish students spoke on a panel about what Hillel means to them, highlighting the importance of Hillel on campus.

A federal judge ordered that more than $500 million in grants be reinstated to UCLA, citing lack of sufficient reasoning for the freeze. The federal government previously froze approximately $584 million in federal research funding to UCLA over accusations of antisemitism during the Gaza war protests on campus.

Miami University Hillel welcomed Sarah Shmoel as its new executive director. She previously held roles at Ohio University Hillel, Cincinnati Hillel, and Tel Aviv University Hillel, along with volunteering with Miami Hillel during graduate school. Shmoel plans to focus on building a strong Jewish community and integrating Jewish life into campus culture.

Michigan State University’s student government passed a bill calling for the cancellation of a campus event featuring an Israeli actor. MSU Hillel’s Executive Director criticized the bill as discriminatory against Israelis and Jews,  calling the measure an attempt to silence Israeli and Jewish voices.

Over 150 people gathered at Penn Hillel to hear Hagit and Ruby Chen, the parents of Itay Chen whose body remains in Hamas captivity, speak about their son’s capture during the October 7th attacks and their ongoing work on behalf of the remaining hostages. Penn Hillel, Chabad at Penn, and the Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee sponsored the event, and attendees received purple bracelets with Itay’s name as a symbol of solidarity.