Former UVM Hillel Student President Highlights LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Carnegie Mellon University Investigates Anti-Israel Messages and Alleged Call for Violence on Campus Fence
Hillel International Scales Peer-Led Jewish Learning Pilot to Boost Male Student Engagement
Initially developed at Penn State Hillel and supported by the Maimonides Fund, the Men to Mensches (M2M) initiative trains student facilitators to lead discussions on Jewish values and identity within their existing networks, including fraternities and athletics teams. This spring, Hillel International piloted M2M on 17 college campuses to address declining participation and leadership roles among male Jewish students. This model shifts professional staff into coaching roles while placing the ownership of the educational conversations onto the students themselves.
Jewish College Students Build Global Connections Through Hillel’s Birthright Trips
Eight University of Michigan Anti-Israel Activists Indicted on Counts of Vandalism and Threats
Expanding Jewish Campus Engagement Beyond The “Coffee Date”
Santa Barbara Hillel to Honor Jewish Community Leaders at Annual Hall of Fame Celebration
Santa Barbara Hillel will recognize community leaders Rabbi Evan and Lori Goodman, Lindsay and Joe Pasternack, and alumnus Richard Leib, during its 23rd annual Hall of Fame Brunch. The event will bring together students, alumni, and community members to celebrate individuals whose leadership and service have strengthened Jewish student life at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara City College, and the wider Santa Barbara Jewish community.
Maryland Hillel Hosts Graduation Ceremony After Commencement Falls on Shavuot
Maryland Hillel organized a graduation ceremony for more than 70 Jewish seniors and their families after the University of Maryland postponed commencement to the first night of Shavuot. In a matter of hours, Hillel staff organized a ceremony with a processional, music, speeches, and name readings. Across the country, Hillels also hosted Jewish baccalaureates, L’Chaim celebrations, and other commencement events for graduating seniors at campuses including Duke University, the University of Florida, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Justice Department Files Third Lawsuit Against UCLA, Alleging Antisemitic Harassment
The U.S. Justice Department filed a third lawsuit against UCLA alleging the university has shown it is “deliberately indifferent” to antisemitic harassment of Jewish and Israeli students following the October 7, 2023 attacks and subsequent campus protests. The suit focuses on incidents tied to a 2024 anti-Israel encampment and alleges the university failed to adequately respond to reports of harassment. In response, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk cited actions the university has taken to confront antisemitism this past year, saying, “The suggestion that UCLA has been passive in the face of antisemitism is simply wrong.”
Suspect Arrested Following Months of Antisemitic Graffiti at San José State University
Police arrested a suspect connected to a months-long series of antisemitic and racist graffiti incidents at San José State University. The messages targeted Jewish, Muslim, Black, and Asian students and included threats of violence, swastikas, and references to terrorism. University officials say the investigation involved campus police, local law enforcement, and the FBI. The suspect faces counts of felony vandalism, felony publishing threats, and potential hate crime enhancements.
Hadar Institute Launches New Campus Rabbi Partnership with Hillel
Three Hadar Institute rabbis will begin work at Rutgers University, New York University, and UMass Amherst starting this summer as part of a campus expansion initiative. The rabbis, who will be embedded with campus Hillels, will engage in leading Jewish learning, prayer, and student programming. Hadar says the partnership aims to deepen pluralistic Jewish life and increase access to Torah learning for Jewish college students of all observance levels.
Hillel Leadership Passport Connects Students to High-Impact, National Convening on Jewish Security
Jewish leaders and college students gathered in Washington, D.C. for a two-day advocacy fly-in focused on strengthening security for the Jewish community. Hosted by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), participants met with members of Congress to advocate for federal legislation connected to JFNA’s Six Point Security Agenda. Through Hillel International’s Leadership Passport program, Jewish student leaders joined the fly-in to raise concerns about campus safety and bring student perspectives into national policy conversations.