In a recent update, Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, discussed the organization’s work to combat antisemitism and empower Jewish student leadership. He highlighted key initiatives, including the Northeast Hillels A Cappella Competition and the Hillel International Israel Summit, as well as Hillel’s global growth. Lehman emphasized these efforts as essential to creating a strong Jewish campus community for students.

Faculty at Emerson College hosted a screening of the documentary October 8 following anti-Israel protests and increased antisemitic incidents on campus. The screening provided insight into the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its aftermath, sparking a campus-wide discussion about the connections between politics, activism, and antisemitism.

Northwestern’s annual MegaShabbat, organized by Northwestern Hillel with partnership from Chabad, brought together nearly 500 students and community members for a lively Shabbat celebration. The event featured an acapella performance; a mocktail hour; Shabbat services for Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox students; and a kosher meal, offering a meaningful and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Jewish life at Michigan Technological University is experiencing a revival through Michigan State University Hillel’s regular Shabbat gatherings which offer students a strong sense of community and tradition. With a small but growing Jewish presence on campus, these efforts create an inclusive space for students to connect, celebrate their heritage, and deepen their Jewish identity. In addition to Shabbat dinners, upcoming initiatives include challah-baking lessons, a Passover seder, and a campus-wide event featuring a Holocaust survivor.

During Super Bowl weekend, more than 100 Black and Jewish college student-athletes gathered at Xavier University in New Orleans for the second annual Black-Jewish Unity Summit. Held in partnership with Hillel International, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), the event aimed to strengthen connections between the two communities. It featured a panel discussion with notable athletes, small-group conversations on their roles in combating hate, and the announcement of a microgrant initiative to support future collaborations.

Through Hillel International’s Israel Leadership Network, a group of 30 Jewish student leaders from all eight University of California system campuses came together to simultaneously share powerful symbols of Jewish pride and resilience, including the Star of David, the menorah, and the shofar. Combining physical exhibits and a digital Unity Wall, the initiative celebrated Jewish identity, strength, and community.