Latest News from Campus

Hillel International staff joined more than 3,500 Jewish teens from over 60 countries at the annual BBYO International Convention in Philadelphia. Over the course of four days, Hillel staff connected with students and introduced them to resources like Hillel International’s Virtual College Prep Series, scholarships for incoming students, and the College Decision Hub to help them prepare for college. Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, said it was “great to see the awesome Jewish joy and pride on display.”

More than 130 Jewish college students from universities across Texas spent a weekend at Texas A&M building friendships, celebrating Shabbat, and diving into conversations about Jewish identity and campus life. The Summit featured student-led learning, a keynote by author and former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz, and community events like Havdalah and a Texas-style rodeo night. Students returned to campus with a stronger sense of belonging in their statewide Jewish community.

Around 700 students, alumni, and Evanston community members gathered for an annual Mega Shabbat, a large-scale dinner hosted by Northwestern Hillel and local partners. Organizers used the event to strengthen campus and community ties, and create a visible Jewish space centered on shared ritual, food, and student leadership.

Jewish students from across the Bay Area gathered for a ceremony hosted by San Francisco Hillel that used artwork to help students process October 7th and its aftermath. Participants attached their yellow ribbons, pins, and dog tags to a paper-mache tree, marking a significant milestone as all the hostages, living and deceased, have been returned home.

UCLA Hillel was joined by guests including Chancellor Julio Frenk, Distinguished Professor Stuart Gabriel, and assembly member Jesse Gabriel for a “Celebration of Jewish Resilience” program. The event focused on defining resilience as a proactive pursuit of visibility rather than quiet endurance, specifically addressing the rise in campus antisemitism since October 7. Speakers highlighted the roles of Hillel, university leadership, and student advocacy in building visible, supported Jewish communities.

Ling DeBellis, a Jewish graduate student at Rice University, writes about celebrating Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month by embracing all facets of her identity while finding community and belonging at Hillel.