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
Eight University of Michigan Anti-Israel Activists Indicted on Counts of Vandalism and Threats
Following the indictment of eight anti-Israel activists, a federal judge released six of the defendants detained by the FBI on bond. The defendants, who were indicted by the Justice Department last week, have been accused of carrying out acts of vandalism against homes and businesses, and making threats against university leaders, law enforcement officials, and Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Detroit. The defendants pled not guilty to the charges, which prosecutors argue included breaking windows, spray-painting walls with anti-Israel messages and symbols, and leaving threatening notes at victims’ homes.
Rabbi Miriam Hoffman to Join GW Hillel as Senior Jewish Educator
Rabbi Miriam Hoffman will join George Washington University Hillel in July as its senior Jewish educator after serving as program director at Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community in Rockville. She previously worked at Brandeis Hillel and interned at USC Hillel. Rabbi Hoffman will focus on supporting students in exploring their Jewish identity, community, and spirituality.
University of Arizona Student Reflects on Hillel International Internship
Courtney Saxe, a rising fourth-year student at the University of Arizona, extended her summer internship with Hillel International into a multi-year role supporting Jewish campus life and digital storytelling. Saxe credited the experience with giving her a meaningful opportunity to shape some of Hillel’s signature initiatives, including Content Creators Forum, noting, “I gained a new appreciation for the work happening behind the scenes at Hillel International, but what surprised me most was how much my own voice mattered.” She added that she never felt like “just an intern” because her perspective as a student was trusted and valued.
Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow Brings Chaplaincy To Jewish Campus Life
Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow, executive director of Northeastern Hillel, describes how she accompanies Jewish college students through moments of challenge and joy using a chaplaincy-informed approach grounded in presence, listening, and sustained relational support. Northeastern Hillel has piloted an innovative Clinical Pastoral Education program focused on Jewish community chaplaincy, campus life, and mental health that they hope to grow nationally next year.
Expanding Jewish Campus Engagement Beyond The “Coffee Date”
Jay Solomon, chief advancement officer of Hillel Ontario, describes a shift in Jewish campus engagement away from a primary focus on one-on-one “coffee date” relationships toward broader, community-based entry points. He highlights large-scale Shabbat dinners, social gatherings, and informal group experiences as ways college students first connect to Jewish life. Solomon points to these settings as starting points that often lead students into leadership roles and deeper relationships with Jewish campus communities.
Unity Dinners Connect Black and Jewish College Students Across U.S. Campuses
This academic year, Hillel International, the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, and UNCF sponsored 14 Black and Jewish Unity Dinner events across U.S. campuses to spark connection and dialogue between Black, Jewish, and Black and Jewish students. These dinners are building trust and relationships through in-person peer interaction, while countering rising antisemitism and racism. Surveys conducted post-event indicated that over 70% of attendees reported an increased understanding of both communities, while 87% expressed interest in future joint programming.