Latest News from Campus

Hillel International co-hosted the second annual Black-Jewish Unity Summit during the Super Bowl LX weekend in partnership with the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate and the UNCF. The summit brought together student athletes and Black, Jewish, and Black and Jewish student leaders to build dialogue and discuss how to combat hate on campus. With featured speakers like New York Giants’ outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, the summit aimed to revitalize the historical alliance between the communities.

Around 700 students, alumni, and Evanston community members gathered for an annual Mega Shabbat, a large-scale dinner hosted by Northwestern Hillel and local partners. Organizers used the event to strengthen campus and community ties, and create a visible Jewish space centered on shared ritual, food, and student leadership.

Jewish students from across the Bay Area gathered for a ceremony hosted by San Francisco Hillel that used artwork to help students process October 7th and its aftermath. Participants attached their yellow ribbons, pins, and dog tags to a paper-mache tree, marking a significant milestone as all the hostages, living and deceased, have been returned home.

UCLA Hillel was joined by guests including Chancellor Julio Frenk, Distinguished Professor Stuart Gabriel, and assembly member Jesse Gabriel for a “Celebration of Jewish Resilience” program. The event focused on defining resilience as a proactive pursuit of visibility rather than quiet endurance, specifically addressing the rise in campus antisemitism since October 7. Speakers highlighted the roles of Hillel, university leadership, and student advocacy in building visible, supported Jewish communities.

Kate Hartman, a Springboard Innovation Fellow at George Mason University Hillel, spends her days planning programs, meeting students one on one, leading Jewish learning fellowships, and strengthening Jewish life on campus. Her recent experience as a student leader informs her work, helping her connect with current students in a way that feels both relevant and supportive as they navigate college life.

Jewish students from seven Northwestern campuses gathered at Mount Hood for a “Summit in the Snow,” where they forged new friendships, explored Jewish values, and served others by assembling care kits for people experiencing homelessness. Shared activities like skiing and community-building deepened connections and left attendees inspired to bring that sense of belonging back to their own campuses.