Houston Hillel board members recently visited the weekly student lunch at University of Houston Hillel’s student lounge. The visit aimed to strengthen the connection between Houston Hillel’s lay leaders and students, offering firsthand insight into campus life.
Students on college campuses from across the U.S. who participate in the Israel Leadership Network (ILN) gathered in Austin, Texas, for a weekend focused on defining their personal why — why Israel matters to them, why they’ve chosen to lead conversations about Israel on their campuses, and how to inspire others to do the same. The weekend included sharing best practices, exploring how to engage diverse Jewish student populations, and building concrete plans for Israel-related programming at their respective colleges and universities.
Shay Bednarsh, a junior at Michigan State University (MSU), founded the Hillel Sports Club to create a welcoming space for Jewish students and sports fans to come together. Centered around Detroit Lions and Michigan St. watch parties, the club’s events bring the community together over free food, card games, and shared enthusiasm. Shay hopes to see the concept expand nationally, connecting Jewish students across campuses through their shared love of sports.
Claremont Hillel will open its new Jewish life house in the spring of 2026, providing a dedicated space for students to gather and connect at the California school for the first time. A longtime vision of Claremont Hillel Executive Director Dr. Bethany Slater, the expansion was accelerated when events following October 7th showed the increased need for a stronger community hub and physical home for Jewish life on campus.
Nearly 500 students from 13 colleges and universities gathered at Yale University Hillel’s Slifka Center for a weekend Shabbaton celebrating their shared heritage. The event featured Shabbat services, cultural meals, and discussions on identity, offering many participants a space to feel fully seen in their dual Asian-Jewish identities.
Hillel at the University of Delaware broke ground on its new Kristol Center for Jewish Life, designed to become a hub for Jewish community life on campus. The building will replace the older Hillel center and will include a 250-seat event hall, small study and lounge spaces, a rooftop deck, and a beit midrash for study and gathering. Construction is expected to finish by the end of 2026, marking a significant investment in Jewish student life at University of Delaware.