UF Hillel Commemorates Three Years Since October 7th
University of Rochester Hillel Breaks Ground on New Jewish Student Center
Hillels Across North America Mark Three Years Since October 7th
Thousands of Jewish students at Hillels across North America marked three years since the October 7th attacks with vigils, exhibitions, art projects, speakers, and opportunities for reflection. At Hillel of Buffalo, students participated in a remembrance gathering and heard from Nova Festival survivor Atir Vinnikov, while University at Albany Hillel created a “Wings of Hope” art installation honoring those killed at Kfar Aza. Other Hillels, including University of Chicago, Penn State, and SLO Hillel, hosted campus-wide programs that shared the stories of those affected by October 7th and created space for students to find support and comfort.
Students Find New Perspectives on Israel Through Birthright
Hillel Rio Brings Hundreds Together for Sukkot
Op-Ed: Cultivating Lifelong Learning Through Israel Education
Hillels Mark Second Anniversary of October 7th with Powerful Memorials
To mark the two-year anniversary of October 7th, Hillels at hundreds of schools organized events on campus focused on memory, resilience, and community. Programs ranged from visible public displays, survivor testimonies, and communal gatherings that often integrated the traditions of Sukkot, which coincided with the date. These events provided Jewish students with a safe space as well as a strengthened sense of community on a difficult day.
Houston Hillel Kicks Off Program Empowering Students to Host Shabbat
Houston Hillel launched a 10-week Shabbat Hosting Lab program that encourages students to host Shabbat in their own homes and dorm rooms. Led by Houston Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Kenny Weiss, the program offers study sessions on core rituals, as well as practical lessons on hospitality and creating a welcoming ambiance. Each student participant hosts two Shabbat meals over the course of the program. According to Rabbi Weiss, the Shabbat Hosting Lab teaches students to create Shabbat anywhere, transforming Jewish life into something “they carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
University of Oregon Jewish Students Honor October 7th Victims with Community Vigil
Oregon Hillel and Ducks for Israel hosted a candlelight vigil to mark the two-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks. The event featured prayers, poems, readings of hostage names, and powerful personal reflections from students who recently visited the October 7th sites in Israel. Students emphasized that despite the rising antisemitism on campus, communal events like this remain critically important for rebuilding the community and bringing hope.
Stanford Jewish Community Holds Rally for the Hostages on October 7th
Stanford Hillel and Israel Association hosted a “Rally for Hostages” to commemorate the two-year anniversary of October 7th, honoring victims and the 48 hostages still held. The event featured prayers, Hebrew songs, and personal reflections, including from a student who recently visited Israel.
UK Jewish College Students Report Harassment During October 7th Anti-Israel Protests
Over 1,000 anti-Israel activists in the UK protested the Israel-Hamas war on October 7th on more than a dozen UK campuses. Jewish students on those campuses reported widespread harassment, including being shouted at, which left many fearful of attending classes. The protests featured rhetoric used by Hamas, including the “beloved resistance” and “glorious Al-Aqsa flood.” In response, British Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urged university leaders to protect Jewish students.
Syracuse University Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Models Unity and Bridge-Building After October 7th
Since October 7th, Syracuse University has prioritized bridge-building and supporting interfaith dialogue. Guided by a friendship between the Hillel campus Rabbi and campus Imam, a Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship began to provide students with a way to share culture and religion. The personal connections and empathy created a safe space for understanding differing opinions and dialogue rather than heated debate. While not immune to escalated conflict, this fellowship gave students a different way to approach challenging subjects.