UMass Amherst Student Brings Jewish Ritual Leadership Back to Campus
Hillel International and Repair the World’s Bridging Service Fellowship Returns for Second Year
New Hillel Director Looks to Build Community at Ithaca College
Hillel International Expands Shabbat Opportunities at 130+ Hillels
This fall, more than 130 Hillels will receive grants to expand Shabbat programming as part of Hillel International’s “Shabbat Surge,” a movement-wide effort to strengthen Shabbat experiences during the first six weeks of the semester. The initiative aims to bring more students together around the Shabbat table and create opportunities for connection and community. “There’s something really special about seeing students who might not otherwise cross paths sitting around the same table, laughing, talking, and creating community together,” said Ben Novorr, director of Jewish student engagement at University of Kansas Hillel.
Welcome Week Brings Jewish Students Together on Campus
Hillel International Welcomes Its 10th Student Cabinet Cohort at Annual Gathering
UC Berkeley Hillel to Celebrate 100 Years of Jewish Student Life
GW Suspends Two Anti-Israel Groups for Violating University Policy
George Washington University (GW) has suspended its chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, citing violations of university policies during campus protests that followed the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel. Additionally, six other student organizations have been placed on probation. Suspended groups will not receive official recognition, funding, or institutional support this semester, and those on probation must seek permission for on-campus events in the spring.
New U.S. Stamp Honors Nobel Prize Winner Elie Wiesel
The United States Postal Service issued a new stamp honoring Elie Wiesel, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Holocaust survivor and humanitarian. Wiesel, who died in 2016 at age 87, is the 18th individual to be recognized in the USPS Distinguished Americans series. The stamp features a portrait of Wiesel and reflects his enduring legacy in promoting human rights and combating hate and antisemitism.
Leading Jewish Groups Urge Universities to Reform Policies on Antisemitism
Jewish organizations, including the ADL, Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, Hillel International, and Jewish Federations of North America, called on universities to “consistently enforce” codes of conduct around protests; appoint a coordinator to address Title VI discrimination complaints; reject academic boycotts of Israel; conduct annual student and faculty surveys in regard to campus antisemitism; crackdown on online harassment; and hold faculty accountable for political coercion and identity-based discrimination.
Man Who Assaulted Jewish Ohio St. Students Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime
A 20-year-old Ohio resident, Timur Mamatov, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime after attacking two Jewish students near Ohio State University in 2023. He asked if the victims were Jewish before assaulting them, breaking one student’s jaw and another’s nose. Mamatov now faces up to 10 years in prison.
Nearly Half a Million Israelis Rally in Tel Aviv in a Call to Release the Hostages
Nearly 500,000 Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to rally for the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. The rally was held alongside nationwide strikes and protests. Demonstrators blocked roads and businesses across the country to amplify their demands.
Toronto International Film Festival Reverses Decision to Pull October 7th Documentary
The Toronto International Film Festival reversed its decision and will screen a documentary about a rescue mission during the October 7th attacks. Festival organizers had initially pulled the film, saying that they had not received clearance from Hamas to screen footage used in the documentary, but reinstated it following public backlash.