Latest News from Campus

Five former Israeli hostages—Segev Kalfon, Bar Kuperstein, Eitan Mor, Evyatar David, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal—were discharged from hospitals and received jubilant welcomes upon returning to their homes after over two years in Hamas captivity. Kalfon, 26, was greeted by well-wishers in Dimona, where banners reading “Segev, it’s so good that you’ve come home” were displayed. The hostages had been tortured, starved, and isolated during their time in captivity.

Israeli artist and Rutgers alum Peter Moshe Shamah recently exhibited his work at Rutgers Hillel’s Karmazin Gallery, exploring themes of Jewish identity and resilience. His exhibitions, including “Jewish Past/Jewish Future” and “From Darkness, the Embers of Hope,” used mixed-media collage to reflect on Jewish history, culture, and trauma. Shamah’s work aims to inspire hope and action, emphasizing the importance of preserving Jewish heritage and fostering community connections.

The Northwestern Jewish community gathered in front of the school’s Hillel building to celebrate the release of the remaining 20 Israeli hostages by Hamas. Northwestern Hillel Student President Claire Connor said, “We as a people are incomplete as long as there are Jews in captivity, so today, today is an amazing day.”

Houston Hillel launched a 10-week Shabbat Hosting Lab program that encourages students to host Shabbat in their own homes and dorm rooms. Led by Houston Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Kenny Weiss, the program offers study sessions on core rituals, as well as practical lessons on hospitality and creating a welcoming ambiance. Each student participant hosts two Shabbat meals over the course of the program. According to Rabbi Weiss, the Shabbat Hosting Lab teaches students to create Shabbat anywhere, transforming Jewish life into something “they carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

The City University of New York (CUNY) Hillel Hubs program is an innovative effort to redefine CUNY campus Hillels as social service hubs for students. Launched in 2022 as a partnership between Hillel and UJA-New York, the program provides funding for Hillels to hire on-site social workers and centralize crucial resources including kosher food pantries, mental health services, academic and career counseling, and cash assistance.

San Diego universities are seeing record levels of Jewish student involvement in Hillel this year. At the University of California San Diego alone, nearly 600 students participated in Hillel events during the first week of classes. Karen Parry, CEO of Hillel of San Diego, credits the “strength, resilience, and fortitude” of Jewish students for sparking this shift.