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
Bodies of Two Hostages Recovered by the IDF in Gaza
The IDF recovered the bodies of two murdered Israeli hostages who were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Yair Yaakov, murdered by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists on October 7, was one of the deceased hostages. The name of the second hostage has not yet been released.
Hundreds Gather in Boulder for “Run for Their Lives” a Week After Firebombing Attack
Hundreds gathered in Boulder, Colorado on June 8 for the weekly “Run for Their Lives” walk to show solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, just one week after a firebombing attack injured 12 participants of the same program. This event spotlighted the 55 hostages still held in Gaza, with personal testimonies from their families. In an event that usually only draws about a dozen people, this record turnout included Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper among the hundreds of attendees.
Thai Hostage’s Body Recovered by IDF in Gaza
The IDF has recovered the body of Nattapong Pinta, a Thai hostage abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. The joint operation between the IDF and Shin Bet took place in Rafah, where intelligence indicated that Pinta was murdered in captivity by the Mujahideen Brigades during the early months of the war. The same group is also responsible for the abduction and murders of Shiri Bibas and her two sons Ariel and Kfir, and married couple Gadi Haggai and Judith Weinstein Haggai.
New Hillel Director at Trinity College Hopes to Increase Jewish Joy
Trinity College named Rabbi Bonnie Margulis as the new Director of Hillel and Jewish Life on campus. With decades of experience as a teacher, mentor, and rabbi, she brings a deep passion for working with young people to the role. Rabbi Margulis says she hopes to “bring back the joy of Judaism” while ensuring Jewish students feel safe and happy on campus.
Bodies of Two American-Israeli Hostages Recovered by IDF in Gaza
The IDF has recovered the bodies of Gadi Haggai and Judith Weinstein Haggai, married U.S.-Israeli citizens killed and abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023 in Kibbutz Nir Oz. The operation took place in Khan Younis, acting on intelligence from a captured Hamas operative. The couple’s remains were held by the Mujahideen Brigades, a Hamas-allied group also responsible for the murders of Kfir, Ariel, and Shiri Bibas. Gadi and Judith’s deaths were confirmed in December of 2023.
Mediators Push to Finalize Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal by End of Week
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., are focused on bridging significant gaps in a proposed hostage release-ceasefire agreement. Hamas wants guarantees that the ceasefire will lead to a longer-term agreement, while Israel insists on a plan that includes the steady release of hostages—starting with 10 in the first week. Despite Hamas submitting alternative proposals, both were rejected, and pressure is mounting for a resolution by the end of the week.