Cornell University Plans New Hillel Building to Support Jewish Life on Campus
Cornell Hillel is working towards a new building to enhance Jewish life and community on campus. The new facility, which will be the first-ever stand-alone Hillel at the Ivy League school, will provide dedicated space for religious services, cultural events, and student engagement, further supporting the needs of the university’s growing Jewish student community.
Princeton Rejects Israel Divestment Proposal
Princeton University’s Resources Committee rejected a proposal to divest from companies that conduct business with Israel. The committee’s decision came after a detailed review of the request, which was made by a group of students. The committee cited concerns over the proposal’s alignment with the university’s investment principles, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom.
Federal Task Force Cuts $400 Million in Funding to Columbia University Due to Antisemitism
The U.S. Task Force to Combat Antisemitism canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts with Columbia University, citing the institution’s lack of response to persistent harassment of Jewish students. Columbia responded in a statement, saying: “We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously…and are committed to combatting antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.”
Jewish Basketball Star Danny Wolf Eyes NBA Draft After Standout Season at Michigan
Danny Wolf, a 7-foot Jewish basketball star at the University of Michigan, is gaining attention as a potential NBA draft pick. Wolf embraces his Jewish identity on and off the court, representing Israel and winning a silver medal in the Under-20 European Championships in 2023.
Hillel Students at Emerson College Attend Screening of ‘October 8’ Documentary Following Anti-Israel Protests
Faculty at Emerson College hosted a screening of the documentary October 8 following anti-Israel protests and increased antisemitic incidents on campus. The screening provided insight into the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its aftermath, sparking a campus-wide discussion about the connections between politics, activism, and antisemitism.
Barnard College Expels Two Students Involved in Anti-Israel Class Disruption
Barnard College expelled multiple students who participated in an anti-Israel protest in January that disrupted a History of Modern Israel class at Columbia University. Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia/Barnard Hillel, applauded Barnard for “taking decisive action.” The incident led the college to reaffirm its commitment to maintaining academic order and student safety.
Six Hostages Freed on Saturday, Marking Last of Living Hostages to be Released in Phase One of Agreement
After over 500 days in captivity, six hostages were released on Saturday. These hostages are the last group of living hostages to be released in the first phase of the hostage release and temporary ceasefire agreement. Tal Shoham (39), Omer Shem Tov (21), Omer Wenkert (22), Eliya Cohen (26), Avera Mengistu (37), and Hisham al-Sayed (35) were reunited with their families in Israel. Four more hostages, all believed to be deceased, are expected to be released on Thursday.
Murdered in Captivity, Shiri Bibas’s Body Finally Returned to Israel Despite Hamas Delays
Israeli officials have confirmed that the identity of Shiri Bibas, kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, has been confirmed after her body was returned to Israel on Saturday evening. This comes after Hamas previously sent the wrong remains, falsely claiming they were hers. Her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, were also murdered in captivity and their bodies were released and identified last week.
At the Super Bowl’s Black-Jewish Unity Summit, Connection is the Winner
During Super Bowl weekend, more than 100 Black and Jewish college student-athletes gathered at Xavier University in New Orleans for the second annual Black-Jewish Unity Summit. Held in partnership with Hillel International, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), the event aimed to strengthen connections between the two communities. It featured a panel discussion with notable athletes, small-group conversations on their roles in combating hate, and the announcement of a microgrant initiative to support future collaborations.
Identities of Deceased Hostages, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, Confirmed by Israel; Mother Shiri Bibas Not Among Bodies Returned
IDF confirms identities of Bibas children, Ariel and Kfir, whose bodies were returned by Hamas on Thursday. Killed in November 2023 after being kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Ariel was four years old and Kfir was ten months old when they were murdered. In a serious violation of the current hostage release and temporary ceasefire agreement, the body thought to be their mother, Shiri Bibas, was confirmed to be an anonymous individual, not connected to any of the known hostages. The identity of Oded Lifshitz, the other hostage whose body was released in this exchange, was confirmed on Thursday.
Over 100 Attend Speech Given by October 7 Survivor at Cal Poly
More than 100 people attended a speech at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) given by an Israeli survivor of the October 7 Hamas attack, who shared first hand testimony of the massacre. Hosted by San Luis Obispo Hillel (Hillel SLO) and Mustangs for Israel, the event aimed to raise awareness and counter misinformation about Israel and the October 7 attacks. Hillel SLO and Mustangs for Israel also created a powerful display featuring a teddy bear surrounded by red paint to symbolize the children killed in the attack, along with posters telling the stories of the victims.