Cornell Hillel is working towards a new building to enhance Jewish life and community on campus. The new facility, which will be the first-ever stand-alone Hillel at the Ivy League school, will provide dedicated space for religious services, cultural events, and student engagement, further supporting the needs of the university’s growing Jewish student community.
Northwestern’s annual MegaShabbat, organized by Northwestern Hillel with partnership from Chabad, brought together nearly 500 students and community members for a lively Shabbat celebration. The event featured an acapella performance; a mocktail hour; Shabbat services for Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox students; and a kosher meal, offering a meaningful and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Danny Wolf, a 7-foot Jewish basketball star at the University of Michigan, is gaining attention as a potential NBA draft pick. Wolf embraces his Jewish identity on and off the court, representing Israel and winning a silver medal in the Under-20 European Championships in 2023.
Jewish life at Michigan Technological University is experiencing a revival through Michigan State University Hillel’s regular Shabbat gatherings which offer students a strong sense of community and tradition. With a small but growing Jewish presence on campus, these efforts create an inclusive space for students to connect, celebrate their heritage, and deepen their Jewish identity. In addition to Shabbat dinners, upcoming initiatives include challah-baking lessons, a Passover seder, and a campus-wide event featuring a Holocaust survivor.
During Super Bowl weekend, more than 100 Black and Jewish college student-athletes gathered at Xavier University in New Orleans for the second annual Black-Jewish Unity Summit. Held in partnership with Hillel International, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), the event aimed to strengthen connections between the two communities. It featured a panel discussion with notable athletes, small-group conversations on their roles in combating hate, and the announcement of a microgrant initiative to support future collaborations.
Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader Elana Horowitz, an alumna of the University of Maryland who was very active in Hillel, has brought Jewish joy and traditions to the Super Bowl champions.. Her deep connection to her Jewish identity helped her successfully make the Eagles cheer squad — she performed an Israeli dance during her audition. On Hanukkah, Horowitz brought the team gelt, a menorah, and dreidels, and led the squad in the shehecheyanu prayer before the NFC Championship game.