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
82-Year-Old Boulder Firebombing Victim Dies From Their Injuries
Karen Diamond, an 82-year-old victim of last month’s firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado of peaceful demonstrators advocating for the release of Israeli hostages, died from her wounds. Marc Soloway of Bonai Shalom congregation in Boulder remembered Diamond as “someone who has given so much of herself over the years to the Bonai community and beyond.” Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the suspect of the attack, will now face two counts of murder.
Former Hostage Liri Albag Returns to Military Service in a New Role
Liri Albag, a former Hamas hostage, will return to military service this week. She has decided not to return to her previous position as an observer, and instead seeks a role in communication and advocacy efforts.
British Punk Band Faces Criminal Investigation After Leading “Death to the IDF” Chant at Glastonbury Festival
During their set at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, British punk band Bob Vylan led the crowd in chanting “Death to the IDF.” The festival organizers condemned the hate speech and incitement of violence, and the BBC, which livestreamed the performance, later apologized for not canceling the broadcast. U.K. police have launched a criminal investigation, and the U.S. has revoked visas for Bob Vylan.
Brooklyn Nets Select Two Jewish Rookies Back-to-Back in NBA Draft
The Brooklyn Nets made NBA history with back-to-back first-round picks when they drafted Israeli point guard Ben Saraf at number 26 and Yale University and University of Michigan center Danny Wolf number 27.The Nets selections instantly doubled the number of Jewish players in the league, with Saraf and Wolf joining Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings) and Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers). Both Saraf and Wolf embrace their Jewish heritage and see their careers as an opportunity to challenge stereotypes.
New Fellowship for Global Leaders Connects Jewish Students Worldwide
Hillel Israel and Hillel International, with critical support from the Matanel Foundation, launched the inaugural Matanel Fellowship for Global Jewish Leadership, choosing 15 Jewish students from around the world to participate in a year-long program amid surging antisemitism on college campuses. This fellowship aims to connect Jewish people around the world and foster the fellows’ “sense of responsibility” for the global Jewish community. Manatel Fellow and Tel-Hai College student Avihu Sela said that connecting with Jewish people from around the world is “something we need right now.”
Israel and Iran Agree to Ceasefire After 12 Days of War
Israel and Iran have reached a ceasefire after 12 days of war, according to the U.S. and later confirmed by officials from both Israel and Iran. The ceasefire will take effect in stages, and the war will be considered officially over after 24 hours without fighting. Just hours before the ceasefire began, Iran launched several missiles toward Israel, one of which hit an apartment building in Beersheba, killing four people.