Latest News from Campus

Yael Klucznik, GW Hillel’s Springboard Innovation Fellow, launched the program “A Taste of Judaism” at The George Washington University to introduce students to Jewish cultures and history through global food experiences. Her programming draws on her Ashkenazi and Sephardic heritage, and uses cooking and shared meals to engage students with diverse Jewish traditions on campus.

A collaboration between  The Ohio State University Hillel and Congregation Agudas Achim, supported by JewishColumbus, is creating opportunities for young Jewish adults to connect through community, social, and cultural activities and events. The initiative, called Columbus Jewish Connection, aims to help participants build relationships beyond campus – staying rooted in Jewish life and community.

Hillel International’s Assistant General Counsel, Ariel Katz, writes about her experience empowering Jewish students who have faced harassment or discrimination. Through CALL, the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line, a resource created in partnership with Hillel International, ADL, and the Brandeis Center, Jewish students and faculty can report incidents and access free, confidential, and expert legal support. Over the last two years, Ariel and the CALL team have assisted with over 600 incidents, helping students pursue justice and accountability. In this time of heightened antisemitism, CALL is making sure students know they don’t have to face these challenges alone.

The 2025 Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA) brought together over 1,100 professionals in Boston to celebrate Jewish joy, belonging, and resilience on campus. The opening plenary featured powerful “Leadership in Action” stories from Hillel professionals,  remarks from CNN’s Van Jones and former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz, music from Nefesh Mountain, and a set from comedian Alex Edelman.

A multifaith dinner at the University of Houston brought together Jewish, Bahá’í, and Muslim students for shared food, honest conversation, and bridge-building. The program, supported by an Interfaith Outreach Grant from Hillel International, allowed students to have conversations in a relaxed setting to better understand each others’ identities and religious practice.

Former hostage Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and rescued by Israeli forces after 245 days in Hamas captivity, shared her story of survival and resilience with the University of Texas – Austin (UT Austin) Jewish community. Texas Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Stephanie Max facilitated the conversation with Argamani and shared, “The act of telling them [hostage stories] will remain critically important.”