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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.

To mark the two-year anniversary of October 7th, Hillels at hundreds of schools organized events on campus focused on memory, resilience, and community. Programs ranged from visible public displays, survivor testimonies, and communal gatherings that often integrated the traditions of Sukkot, which coincided with the date. These events provided Jewish students with a safe space as well as a strengthened sense of community on a difficult day.

Oregon Hillel and Ducks for Israel hosted a candlelight vigil to mark the two-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks. The event featured prayers, poems, readings of hostage names, and powerful personal reflections from students who recently visited the October 7th sites in Israel. Students emphasized that despite the rising antisemitism on campus, communal events like this remain critically important for rebuilding the community and bringing hope.

Since October 7th, Syracuse University has prioritized bridge-building and supporting interfaith dialogue. Guided by a friendship between the Hillel campus Rabbi and campus Imam, a Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship began to provide students with a way to share culture and religion. The personal connections and empathy created a safe space for understanding differing opinions and dialogue rather than heated debate. While not immune to escalated conflict, this fellowship gave students a different way to approach challenging subjects.