UF Hillel Commemorates Three Years Since October 7th
University of Rochester Hillel Breaks Ground on New Jewish Student Center
Hillels Across North America Mark Three Years Since October 7th
Thousands of Jewish students at Hillels across North America marked three years since the October 7th attacks with vigils, exhibitions, art projects, speakers, and opportunities for reflection. At Hillel of Buffalo, students participated in a remembrance gathering and heard from Nova Festival survivor Atir Vinnikov, while University at Albany Hillel created a “Wings of Hope” art installation honoring those killed at Kfar Aza. Other Hillels, including University of Chicago, Penn State, and SLO Hillel, hosted campus-wide programs that shared the stories of those affected by October 7th and created space for students to find support and comfort.
Students Find New Perspectives on Israel Through Birthright
Hillel Rio Brings Hundreds Together for Sukkot
Op-Ed: Cultivating Lifelong Learning Through Israel Education
Brandeis Center Gathers Leaders for Legal Summit to Address Antisemitism
More than 60 attorneys and leaders of Jewish legal groups met in Manhattan at the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law’s first legal summit to strategize on antisemitism cases, including those on college campuses. They focused on sharing ideas and best practices to effectively combat antisemitism at universities, in K-12 education, and in the workplace.
Toronto Police Arrest Anti-Israel Activist After Disruption of IDF Veterans’ Event
Toronto police arrested an anti-Israel activist, for allegedly using a drill bit to break a glass door during an IDF veterans’ speaking tour at Toronto Metropolitan University. Qabil Ibrahim, who is the sixth anti-Israel activist to have been charged in relation to the incident, faces charges including forcible entry, assault, unlawful assembly while masked, property damage, and interference.
Jewish Students Sue Chapman University Over Alleged Failure to Address Antisemitic Harassment and Discrimination
Two Jewish alumni sued Chapman University, claiming they faced “a campaign of harassment lasting for the entire duration of the 2023-2024 school year, enacted with Chapman’s direct approval,” citing death threats and desecration of Oct. 7 memorials. The lawsuit centers on alleged Title VI violations of the Civil Rights Act.
Maryland Hillel Looks Ahead to New Building and Opportunities to Strengthen Jewish Student Life
Rabbi Ari Israel, who has led Maryland Hillel as executive director for over two decades, is playing a key role in the creation of a new center for Jewish life on campus — Maryland Hillel’s new building. The site for the new space returns Hillel to its original location, where it served students from 1941 to 1981. The nearly 40,000-square-foot building will include kosher dining, study spaces, a Beit Midrash, multipurpose rooms, and features designed to support Jewish student leadership, Israel education, and antisemitism awareness.
Editorial in The Harvard Crimson Suggests That it’s Okay to “Let Go of Zionist Friends”
In a recent opinion piece, a Harvard student published advice in the student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, suggesting it is acceptable to end friendships with peers solely because they identify as “Zionists.” In response, The Crimson received dozens of letters to the editors rebutting the idea that it is okay to shun other students because of their faith, religious beliefs, or connection to the Jewish state. One of the responses was written by the Executive Committee of the Harvard Chaplains, who said that they are “profoundly troubled by any normalization of shunning or socially ostracizing individuals or groups based on their religious identity.”
Brown University Celebrates 130 Years of Jewish Life on Campus
Brown University convened over a thousand alumni, students, faculty, and staff for a weekend event to honor the institution’s long history of Jewish student life. The gathering featured social events, panel discussions, an exhibit tracing significant Jewish milestones on campus, and reflections on how the Jewish community at Brown has evolved. The event was organized by Brown alum Abby Doft, a member of the Hillel International Board of Directors.