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
Arizona Native and University of Arizona Alum Named Incoming Director of Hillel at the University of Arizona
The Hillel at the University of Arizona appointed Shoshi Lipschultz as its next executive director. Lipschultz, an Arizona native and University of Arizona alum, returns to Tucson with more than 20 years of experience in Jewish communal leadership, including campus engagement work at York University in Toronto. She said her early experience with Hillel at the University of Arizona shaped her path in Jewish professional leadership.
Carnegie Mellon University Investigates Anti-Israel Messages and Alleged Call for Violence on Campus Fence
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) police launched an investigation after an unrecognized campus group painted anti-Israel slogans alongside the phrase “By any means necessary” on the university’s landmark Fence. CMU President Farnam Jahanian denounced the messages, saying, “[It] is categorically unacceptable for an anonymous message painted on CMU property to incite or imply support for violence, and it is equally unacceptable for members of our campus community to feel physically threatened or unsafe.” Jahanian’s statement prompted a second round of graffiti on the structure, this time directed at the university administration.
Hillel International Scales Peer-Led Jewish Learning Pilot to Boost Male Student Engagement
Initially developed at Penn State Hillel and supported by the Maimonides Fund, the Men to Mensches (M2M) initiative trains student facilitators to lead discussions on Jewish values and identity within their existing networks, including fraternities and athletics teams. This spring, Hillel International piloted M2M on 17 college campuses to address declining participation and leadership roles among male Jewish students. This model shifts professional staff into coaching roles while placing the ownership of the educational conversations onto the students themselves.
Elon University Graduate Builds Black-Jewish Coalition
Elon University graduate and Alpha Epsilon Pi alumnus Benji Stern helped launch Elon’s Black-Jewish Coalition to build cross-community relationships and combat rising campus polarization. Inspired by a trip to Alabama, where he learned about the Civil Rights Movement, Stern collaborated with student leaders, university chaplains, and campus organizations to host regular dialogue dinners, cultural programs, and meetings with university administrators. The coalition plans to continue their work as Stern transitions into a new role as Springboard Fellow at Brandeis University Hillel.
Seattle Colleges District Investigates Tenured Professor Over Anti-Israel Faculty Listserv Email
The Seattle Colleges District Compliance Office initiated a review of tenured Spanish language and literature professor David Quintero after he sent an email to a faculty listserv arguing against the hiring of Israeli citizens. In the message, Quintero questioned how “Zionist Israeli dual-citizens” pass security background checks and characterized them as criminals and killers. District officials confirmed the matter is under human resources evaluation to determine appropriate action under institutional policies governing discrimination and workplace harassment.
Jewish College Students Build Global Connections Through Hillel’s Birthright Trips
Each year, thousands of Jewish college students participate in Birthright Israel trips with their campus Hillels, connecting with peers and Jewish communities around the world. University of Kansas Hillel recently completed its Birthright Israel trip, where students traveled from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, visited historical and modern sites, and took part in hands-on volunteering while meeting and learning alongside other Jewish students.