Latest News from Campus

Award-winning Jewish comedian Alex Edelman brought his comedy tour to Tulane Hillel, closing out a series of campus performances, which were hosted in partnership with Hillel International and with support from Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Edelman, whose work draws on his experiences as a Jewish American, brought his signature humor and storytelling to the evening, and deepened joy and belonging for thousands of Jewish students who attended the Tulane performance and others across the country.

Ava Susser-Stein joined Hillel at The George Washington University as a Springboard Fellow this summer after spending her college years deeply involved with Maryland Hillel. In her new role, she plans social programs, connects with students, manages GW Hillel’s website and social media, and helps students find their place in the community. Drawing on her own experiences with Hillel and Jewish summer camp, Susser-Stein hopes to create the same sense of connection and belonging for GW students that shaped her own Jewish life.

Thousands of Jewish students celebrated Rosh Hashanah at their campus Hillels, ringing in the new year 5787 with festive meals, meaningful services, and community. At Vanderbilt University Hillel, Rosh Hashanah seders brought in more than 700 students in Greek life, performing arts, sports, and graduate programs. Across Hillels in Philadelphia, Florida, and San Diego, students found different ways to celebrate together, from services and holiday meals to baking and hands-on activities. For Eden Bitton, a second-year student involved with Hillel of San Diego, participating in High Holiday programming showed her “how powerful it is to celebrate Jewish traditions alongside other students.”

SF Hillel+, a program built by San Francisco Hillel, brings together Jewish graduate students, young professionals, and nontraditional undergraduates through Shabbat gatherings, volunteer projects, dinners, and community events. The program launched in 2025 to create more opportunities for young adults in the San Francisco Bay Area to build Jewish connections and community after or outside the traditional undergraduate experience.

Hillel International Associate Vice President for Jewish Education Danielle Kranjec reflects on how Rosh Hashanah and the start of the fall semester give students an opportunity to consider what they’re seeking in the months ahead. Drawing on Jewish teachings about community, Kranjec writes,  “With a new academic year beginning… new students are finding their footing. Returning students are reconnecting with friends and deciding what they want this year to hold. Everyone has a fresh opportunity to ask who they want to be, what they want to build, and which communities they want to be part of.” Hillel, she says, giving students a place to begin answering those questions.

Jada Monroe, a third-year student at the University of Georgia and member of the Hillel International Student Cabinet, reflects on celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for the first time during her first year at college. After growing up deeply connected to her Black identity and community but with limited Jewish experiences, Monroe describes how Hillel gave her space to learn about Judaism  and build a Jewish life that felt like her own. Her experience led her to Jewish learning fellowships, UGA Hillel’s Jewish Life Board, and efforts to connect her Black and Jewish communities.