Finding Home And Forgiveness On Yom Kippur
Bringing Jewish Learning Into Conversation On Campus
Students Celebrate Rosh Hashanah Together At Hillel
Thousands of Jewish students celebrated Rosh Hashanah at their campus Hillels, ringing in the new year 5787 with festive meals, meaningful services, and community. At Vanderbilt University Hillel, Rosh Hashanah seders brought in more than 700 students in Greek life, performing arts, sports, and graduate programs. Across Hillels in Philadelphia, Florida, and San Diego, students found different ways to celebrate together, from services and holiday meals to baking and hands-on activities. For Eden Bitton, a second-year student involved with Hillel of San Diego, participating in High Holiday programming showed her “how powerful it is to celebrate Jewish traditions alongside other students.”
Opinion: How Antisemitism on Campus Has Changed Since October 7th
University of Georgia Student Finds Her Jewish Voice Through High Holidays at Hillel
800+ College Students Commemorate 9/11 With Service Through Hillel International and Repair the World
Carnegie Mellon Defends Fence Restrictions After Anti-Israel Vandalism
Carnegie Mellon University defended its new restrictions and disciplinary actions concerning the historic campus “The Fence” after facing criticism from advocacy groups. The administration’s new policies include permitting campus police to request valid CMU identification from anyone painting on the structure. According to CMU’s student newspaper, the university also has placed 10 students under investigation for allegedly painting anti-Israel slogans on the property. University officials say action was needed to prevent a hostile environment that “crossed the bounds of… community norms.”
Hillel International Hosts Virtual Session for Incoming College Students
Hillel International hosted its latest Virtual College Prep Series session, “Incoming FIrst Years: Know Before You Go,” where Jewish college seniors shared advice for incoming first-year students to help them navigate their first weeks of college with confidence. Panelists made recommendations on settling into dorm life, finding new friends, and connecting with their campus Jewish community from day one. Speakers also suggested practical steps such as locating classrooms in advance and proactively introducing themselves to fellow students to help ease the transition.
Hillel International Invests in Leadership and Community Development Across 180 Campuses
Hillel International is awarding nearly $3.7 million in grants to more than 180 campus Hillels to fund initiatives including student leadership development, Shabbat programs, and regional gatherings. These grants, benefitting thousands of students, will help give Jewish students the tools, community, and confidence to build thriving, joyful Jewish life on campus.
Rice University Student Austin Lambert Joins Hillel International Student Cabinet
Rice University student Austin Lambert was selected to join Hillel International’s 2026-2027 Student Cabinet, a group of 20 outstanding student leaders who serve as ambassadors of the Hillel movement. Houston Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Kenny Weiss said Lambert “has demonstrated exceptional leadership at Rice Hillel” and credited him with helping implement weekly on-campus Shabbat dinners, adding that Lambert’s perspective and experience will strengthen both the Student Cabinet and the Rice Hillel community.
New Hillel Professionals Gather for Training and Community Building
More than 200 new Hillel professionals gathered at The Ohio State University for the Hillel International 2026 New Professionals Institute, where they participated in a three-day immersive onboarding experience that included leadership training and relationship-building. The annual program equips new staff with the skills, knowledge, and professional network to support Jewish students and strengthen campus communities.
Maryland Hillel Names New Leaders After Move to New Building
Maryland Hillel named longtime Executive Director Rabbi Ari Israel as its CEO, and expanded its team to support an anticipated growth in Jewish student engagement as the organization settles into its new building. “We are hoping that our new location is going to augment our participation numbers, involvement, leadership opportunities and community building,” said Israel, in an interview with Washington Jewish Week. “It’s the right opportunity for us to get the right team on board,” he added.