Latest News from Campus

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.

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.

Through Hillel International’s Israel Leadership Network, a group of 30 Jewish student leaders from all eight University of California system campuses came together to simultaneously share powerful symbols of Jewish pride and resilience, including the Star of David, the menorah, and the shofar. Combining physical exhibits and a digital Unity Wall, the initiative celebrated Jewish identity, strength, and community.

Central Michigan University (CMU) Hillel hosted its third annual Jewish heritage week in celebration of Jewish life on campus. Planned in partnership between CMU Hillel and the university, the week included a talk from a Holocaust survivor, a campus-wide Shabbat dinner, and an Israeli cooking class.

Hillel Jewish University Center, which serves students in Pittsburgh, recently launched “Inside Israel,” a program at the University of Pittsburgh that brings together 20 college students for weekly, student-led discussions on Israel and international current events. Through engaging with materials such as podcasts, opinion articles, and news reports, participants explore diverse perspectives while strengthening their critical thinking skills and encouraging open dialogue on complex global issues.