Jewish college students recently traveled to Wisconsin for a student advocacy summit where they met with state legislators, a state supreme court justice, and Jewish community leaders to sharpen leadership skills, practice strategic communication, and craft action plans for addressing issues on campus.
Hillel International staff joined more than 3,500 Jewish teens from over 60 countries at the annual BBYO International Convention in Philadelphia. Over the course of four days, Hillel staff connected with students and introduced them to resources like Hillel International’s Virtual College Prep Series, scholarships for incoming students, and the College Decision Hub to help them prepare for college. Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, said it was “great to see the awesome Jewish joy and pride on display.”
Hillel International’s Black-Jewish Unity Dinners series, in partnership with Blue Square Alliance Against Hate and UNCF, recently returned to Baltimore, bringing together Black, Jewish, and Black and Jewish students from local colleges and universities. The evening focused on conversation over a shared meal, encouraging students to learn about the history of Black-Jewish relationships, build new connections, and confront antisemitism and racism. Organizers hope the event will spark stronger relationships and continued collaboration between the two communities.
More than 130 Jewish college students from universities across Texas spent a weekend at Texas A&M building friendships, celebrating Shabbat, and diving into conversations about Jewish identity and campus life. The Summit featured student-led learning, a keynote by author and former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz, and community events like Havdalah and a Texas-style rodeo night. Students returned to campus with a stronger sense of belonging in their statewide Jewish community.
Ohio State University Hillel and Columbus Jewish Family Services partnered to host a luncheon connecting students with Holocaust survivors following a powerful trip students took to Poland with Hillel. Organizers brought students together with survivors to hear testimony and strengthen generational ties within the Jewish community. The program focused on memory, education, and ongoing student engagement with survivors in the Columbus area.
Throughout four years of war in Ukraine, Hillel continues to provide Jewish students with Shabbat gatherings, support programs, and safe community spaces. Alyona Kolpina, director of Dnipro Hillel, said, “Being together in community has helped many students process their grief and feel that they’re not carrying it alone.”