Aasia Gabbour, a graduating fourth-year student at New York University, reflected on how NYU Hillel supported her in exploring her Asian-Jewish identity. She helped lead the first-ever Asian-Jewish Shabbaton at Yale University, which brought together more than 500 students from over a dozen colleges and universities to celebrate shared identity and community.
Sophie Kalmin, a senior at Emory University, reflects on her college experience and her involvement in Jewish campus life through Hillel, including serving as Emory Hillel student president. She describes how leadership opportunities helped shape her sense of belonging on campus and strengthen her connection to Jewish life.
Rabbi Emily Howard Meyer, the rabbi-in-residence at Goucher Hillel and a spiritual leader and educator in the Washington, D.C-area Jewish community, reflects on her path to Judaism and her work guiding Jewish life through music. Howard Meyer, who converted to Judaism as an adult, now organizes religious programming across the region. She said she works to create accessible entry points into Judaism through art, music, and community engagement at Goucher Hillel.
Einav Tsach, co-chair of the Hillel International Student Cabinet, reflects on how Hillel shaped his Jewish identity and sense of belonging at the University of Maryland, especially during the period after October 7th which was marked by increased antisemitism. He describes Jewish campus life as vibrant and rooted in shared ritual, from Shabbat gatherings to everyday moments of connection across the nearly 6,000-strong Jewish community.
Hillel International is marking the 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot with its second annual “Sefirat HaOmer” initiative, offering students guided reflection and daily engagement rooted in Jewish tradition. The program includes short videos t designed to make counting the Omer more accessible and personally meaningful. This year’s theme is “Belonging.”
Houston Hillel launched a $3.5 million campaign to revitalize its physical space, which serves over 650 students across more than a dozen Southeast Texas universities. The renovation will transform the center into a more flexible and welcoming hub for Jewish campus life, adding an updated kosher teaching kitchen, expanded gathering areas, and redesigned spaces for study, programming, and socializing. Leaders say the project will strengthen student engagement and Jewish life across the region for years to come.