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
Former Gaza Hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel Celebrate Daughter’s Wedding
Keith and Aviva Siegel, who were abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and later released, walked their daughter Shir down the aisle at her wedding. During the ceremony, Shir prayed for the release of remaining hostages and for peace in Israel.
Electrical Union Accused of Promoting Hostile Environments for Jewish students at MIT, Stanford, and Cornell
A letter to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce accuses the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) union of promoting antisemitism at MIT, Stanford, and Cornell. The letter alleges the union created a hostile environment for Jewish graduate students by forcing them to pay dues that fund the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Additionally, it claims the union denied religious accommodations to students who requested not to pay these dues.
Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Plan to Take Control of Gaza City in October
The Israeli security cabinet announced plans to take control of Gaza City, with the stated goal of fully removing Hamas from power. The plan includes a provision for providing humanitarian aid to civilians outside of combat zones, and gives Gaza City residents until October 7, 2025 to evacuate before the military operation begins.
FBI Releases 2024 Hate Crimes Data, Which Shows That Anti-Jewish Hate Hit Record High in the U.S.
The FBI released its 2024 hate crime statistics revealing that Jewish people were targeted in 70% of all religious-based hate crimes — a significant increase from 62% in 2023. Hate crimes against Jews constituted 16% of all reported hate crime offenses, including incidents of assault, vandalism, and harassment. On average, there were more than five anti-Jewish hate crimes per day in 2024.
Netanyahu Considers Full Military Takeover of Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly seeking support from his cabinet to take over the Gaza strip. The plan includes areas where hostages may still be held and faces opposition from senior Israel Defense Forces officers.
International Red Cross and World Health Organization Call for the Immediate Release of Hostages in Gaza
The International Red Cross and the World Health Organization released a joint statement calling for the immediate release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. This statement came after Hamas propaganda videos showed current, deteriorating conditions of hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David. The Red Cross has not been allowed any access to the hostages during 22 months of war, and has previously faced heavy criticism over its failure to reach them.