Emory University recently hosted its annual Israel Fest co-organized by Emory Hillel and other Jewish student groups. The event featured Israeli music, food, and cultural displays, including tables where attendees wrote letters to families of hostages held by Hamas, and Israeli Defense Force soldiers. Emory Hillel President Maya Rezak emphasized the festival’s role in fostering community and sharing Israeli culture.

Leah Davenport, a senior and Hillel participant at the College of Charleston, led the installation of Stolpersteine — small brass cobblestones placed outside former homes of Holocaust victims — in Berlin to honor the Landsmann family, who were killed in the Holocaust. Inspired by letters she found in her research, Davenport raised funds and worked with artist Gunter Demnig to commemorate the family’s memory in March 2025.

At Virginia Tech Hillel, Executive Director Amanda Herring and Chef Greg Herring have transformed kosher campus dining by integrating Jewish values with sustainability. They source regenerative kosher meat and partner with local farms to reduce waste, turning surplus produce into preserved goods like tomato sauce. Their approach not only honors ancient Jewish traditions, but also educates students on ethical food sourcing, fostering a community centered around mindful eating and environmental stewardship.

Jewston, a program of Houston Hillel, facilitates meaningful connections for Jewish graduate students and young alumni across Houston-area universities and medical institutions, including Rice University, the University of Houston, and the Texas Medical Center. The initiative hosts social programs like bagel brunches and leadership development opportunities, while also supporting students in responding to antisemitism on campus.

Senior Ethan Elkin-Handelman, president of Rider University Hillel and member of the Hillel Israel Leadership Network, has revitalized the Hillel at Rider University, tripling the number of participating students sand earning it the campus award of Organization of the Year. An elementary education major who is passionate about special education, Elkin-Handelman draws inspiration from early experiences working with children with disabilities in order to support every student he encounters.

Cydney Goldberg, Director of Advancement at Ohio State University Hillel, was honored by Birthright Israel at OSU HIllel’s recent “Shabbat at the Shoe” event. The program brought together students and alumni for a Shabbat celebration at Ohio Stadium (nicknamed “The Horseshoe”), one of the  largest on-campus stadiums in the world. Goldberg, a dedicated leader in Jewish student engagement, has organized over 20 Birthright trips to Israel, strengthening ties between students and the Jewish community.