Latest News from Campus

Andrew Austrager, a second-year student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a member of Hillel International’s Ruach Fellowship, recently had the opportunity to develop his skills as a Jewish student leader at the fellowship’s Summer Shabbaton in Chicago. Alongside more than 150 students from nearly 50 campuses, Austrager will spend the year exploring different approaches to Shabbat and other Jewish ritual and spiritual experiences, and creating a sense of belonging for Jewish students on his campus.

This fall, more than 130 Hillels will receive grants to expand Shabbat programming as part of Hillel International’s “Shabbat Surge,” a movement-wide effort to strengthen Shabbat experiences during the first six weeks of the semester. The initiative aims to bring more students together around the Shabbat table and create opportunities for connection and community. “There’s something really special about seeing students who might not otherwise cross paths sitting around the same table, laughing, talking, and creating community together,” said Ben Novorr, director of Jewish student engagement at University of Kansas Hillel.

Ben Davis began his role as executive director of Indiana University Hillel in August, bringing more than 30 years of experience in Jewish community leadership and a focus on strengthening student involvement. With an estimated 4,500 Jewish students at IU, Davis hopes to reach more students and create a community that welcomes them all., “We are here to support and make sure that both their mental health, their physical health, or whatever they need — that we are here for them to feel like a safe place for the Jewish students,” he said.

Hillel International and Repair the World’s Bridging Service Fellowship returns to Binghamton University for a second year, bringing Jewish and non-Jewish students together through volunteer service, cohort learning, and opportunities to build relationships. The national program, which helps students connect with their local community and with one another, is bringing together 218 fellows across 16 campuses.

Hillel International welcomed its 10th Student Cabinet cohort to Washington, D.C., bringing together 20 Jewish student leaders from campuses around the world. During the annual summit, students built relationships with one another, deepened their understanding of Hillel International as an organization, and strengthened their communications and leadership skills ahead of their role as cabinet members this academic year.

Hundreds of campus Hillels are welcoming thousands of Jewish students to college with events that make it easy to meet new people and become part of their Jewish communities from day one. Programs like early move-ins, Shabbat dinners, and campfires offer a way for students to make Hillel a meaningful part of their campus lives from the moment they arrive.