University of Michigan Apologizes After Faculty Member’s Divisive Commencement Speech
Swarthmore College Reports Hundreds of Acts of Vandalism from Anti-Israel Protestors
USC Community Gathers for Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration
The University of Southern California hosted its first Jewish American Heritage Month celebration, bringing together students, faculty and community members for remarks, music, and refreshments. Speakers included Provost Andrew Guzman, who celebrated the richness of Jewish campus life, including the vibrant community at Hillel. The program also featured student performances, including an original instrumental piece, and marked the start of an annual campus observance.
Opinion: Jewish American Heritage Month Led Me Back to My Jewish Identity
Federal Court Pauses Ruling Requiring Penn To Turn Over List of Jewish Students, Faculty
NFL Leaders Encourage Black And Jewish Students To Build Connections Through Unity Event
Thousands of Jewish Students Mark Yom Ha’atzmaut With Hillel Events Across North America
Jewish students across North America marked Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, with their campus Hillels, leading programming that included Israeli food, trivia, block parties, music, and dance. At Texas Hillel, Rabbi Stephanie Max said Hillel “creates space for students to explore what.. [Israel] means for them,” describing it as an integral part of Jewish life and learning.
Campus Unity Dinners Bring Black and Jewish Students Together
Across the country, Black-Jewish Unity Dinners are bringing students together for shared meals and guided conversations aimed at addressing antisemitism, racism, and campus polarization. The initiative, launched by Hillel International, UNCF, and the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, encourages students to build relationships, share personal experiences, and find common ground. The gatherings have expanded nationwide as students work to rebuild historical connections between the two communities.
UVM Yom HaZikaron Dinner Highlights Impact of Israel Fellows
At the University of Vermont (UVM), students gathered at Hillel for a Yom HaZikaron dinner led by an Israel Fellow, where shared recipes, conversation, and personal reflections shaped the evening. The program highlighted how shlichim at Vermont and elsewhere help facilitate Israel education and build community through meaningful, student-centered programming.
OSU Hillel to Host Centennial Event at Campus Stadium
The Ohio State University Hillel will mark its 100th anniversary with a large-scale celebration at Ohio Stadium this week, bringing together Jewish students, alumni, and community members. “We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone event at the most iconic location on Ohio State’s campus – the Shoe,” said OSU Hillel CEO Naomi Lamb. “It is a celebration of 100 years of vibrant, thriving, inclusive and safe Jewish life at Ohio State.” In addition to recognizing accomplishments over the last century, the program will preview future goals for Jewish life on campus.
UCLA Student Government Condemns Event With Former Hostage Omer Shem Tov
The UCLA Undergraduate Students Association Council passed a resolution condemning a campus event organized in part by UCLA Hillel featuring Omer Shem Tov, a former Israeli hostage who spoke about his captivity in Gaza and his experiences during those 500+ days. UCLA Hillel leadership responded to the resolution, saying it mischaracterized the event and undermined opportunities for student engagement and learning. A UCLA spokesperson noted, “The event’s message was one of resilience and respect for human rights and dignity — a message we support. We stand by UCLA Hillel, UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and the UCLA Chapter of Students Supporting Israel’s invitation to have this very important dialogue.”
Fourth Annual Content Creators Forum Brings Together Over 100 Jewish Student Creators
More than 100 Jewish student creators gathered in New York City for Hillel’s fourth annual Content Creators Forum, a multi-day program focused on digital storytelling and community-building. Participants took part in hands-on workshops, storytelling immersives, and media training sessions led by established professionals and creators, including Jake “Silly Jake” Goldberg, with a focus on sharing Jewish identity and experiences online. The forum also offered opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, equipping students with tools to create content that amplifies Jewish voices across platforms.