UF Hillel Commemorates Three Years Since October 7th
University of Rochester Hillel Breaks Ground on New Jewish Student Center
Hillels Across North America Mark Three Years Since October 7th
Thousands of Jewish students at Hillels across North America marked three years since the October 7th attacks with vigils, exhibitions, art projects, speakers, and opportunities for reflection. At Hillel of Buffalo, students participated in a remembrance gathering and heard from Nova Festival survivor Atir Vinnikov, while University at Albany Hillel created a “Wings of Hope” art installation honoring those killed at Kfar Aza. Other Hillels, including University of Chicago, Penn State, and SLO Hillel, hosted campus-wide programs that shared the stories of those affected by October 7th and created space for students to find support and comfort.
Students Find New Perspectives on Israel Through Birthright
Hillel Rio Brings Hundreds Together for Sukkot
Op-Ed: Cultivating Lifelong Learning Through Israel Education
Air Force Officer and West Point Hillel Graduate Creates Community for Jewish Cadets
Air Force Officer Olivia Raykhman found a strong Jewish community while attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. Hillel at West Point helped her embrace her identities as a Jew and as an American soldier. After recognizing that many Jewish cadets and ROTC students lacked similar support, she built Nesharim, an organization dedicated to creating community for Jewish service members through in-person and virtual gatherings. Raykhman hopes every Jewish cadet can find the same sense of community she found through Hillel.
Hillel International Welcomes New Board Chair
Hillel International announced that Doug Berman will begin a three-year term as chair of its Board of Directors, succeeding Lee Dranikoff. Berman has served on the board for six years, including as treasurer and chair of the finance committee, and also serves on Hillel’s Board of Governors. Outside of Hillel, he is the immediate past chair of the Jewish Federation of Broward County Board of Directors and is co-president of H.I.G. Capital.
California Faculty Union Looks to Roll Back Campus Protest Restrictions
The California Faculty Association is backing legislation to repeal a 2024 state law that requires public universities to enforce time, place, and manner limits on campus protests These limits prohibit violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination. Jewish advocacy groups supported the original law in response to concerns about campus antisemitism and student safety during protests related to the Hamas-Israel war. Dozens of local Jewish organizations have submitted a joint opposition letter against the new bill.
Hillel of San Diego Engages 3,500 Students Across Four Campuses
Hillel of San Diego reaches 3,500 students across UC San Diego, San Diego State University, University of San Diego, and Cal State San Marcos. CEO and Executive Director Karen Parry said the organization has seen six years of sustained growth in student engagement, noting, “We built it, and they came,” as participation in Jewish life programming continues to expand.
Donors Support Hillel International’s Ruach Fellowship
Bob Pollack and his wife Marion provided a matching donation to Hillel International’s Ruach Fellowship, a new cohort program training and empowering Jewish student ritual and songleaders. Pollack, who also has supported Hillel at Princeton University, says he and Marion believe investing in Jewish community is a great privilege that has brought them deep purpose and joy. Their gift is helping to train more than 60 student ritual and song leaders across over two dozen campus Hillels, building joy and resilience within weekly Shabbat services and other Jewish experiences.
Former UVM Hillel Student President Highlights LGBTQ+ Inclusion
University of Vermont graduate Hadley Kalson credited their campus Hillel with providing an environment that supported both their queer, non-binary identity and Jewish identity. Kalson, who served as the UVM Hillel student president for two years, noted that inclusive leadership practices and programming like “Queers and Schmears” helped build the confidence needed to hold public student leadership roles. Following graduation, Kalson joins Hillel San Antonio as an incoming Springboard Fellow.