Hillel Israel and Hillel International, with critical support from the Matanel Foundation, launched the inaugural Matanel Fellowship for Global Jewish Leadership, choosing 15 Jewish students from around the world to participate in a year-long program amid surging antisemitism on college campuses. This fellowship aims to connect Jewish people around the world and foster the fellows’ “sense of responsibility” for the global Jewish community. Manatel Fellow and Tel-Hai College student Avihu Sela said that connecting with Jewish people from around the world is “something we need right now.”

Israel and Iran have reached a ceasefire after 12 days of war, according to the U.S. and later confirmed by officials from both Israel and Iran. The ceasefire will take effect in stages, and the war will be considered officially over after 24 hours without fighting. Just hours before the ceasefire began, Iran launched several missiles toward Israel, one of which hit an apartment building in Beersheba, killing four people.

The Jewish Food Society, a nonprofit founded by New York-based chef Naama Shefi, hosted the Great Nosh Picnic on Governors Island in New York. The large-scale celebration of Jewish cuisines featured collaborations from two chefs with whom Shefi partnered, combining a number of different cultural favorites.

The University of Florida’s Levin College of Law is reviewing its policies and procedures after a student who had been suspended for past racist and antisemitic comments received a faculty award for a paper arguing that constitutional rights apply only to white citizens. The student, Preston Damsky, had previously called for the “abolition” of Jews. University officials say they are reviewing the award process and reaffirming their commitment to student safety and equity.

The IDF has recovered the bodies of three slain hostages, Ofra Keidar, Jonathan Samerano, and Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, in a joint operation with Shin Bet. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the government to take advantage of the current situation and reach a hostage deal to bring the remaining 50 hostages home.

Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli who was held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023, was released in May 2025 and returned home to Tenafly, New Jersey this past weekend. He was greeted by hundreds of supporters lining the streets to welcome him back with signs and chants. His homecoming was celebrated by New Jersey leaders from across the political spectrum, including U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.