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
Israel’s Yuval Raphael Places Second at Eurovision 2025, First in Public Vote
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael secured second place at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, with her song “New Day Will Rise.” A survivor of the Nova music festival massacre, Raphael won the public vote with 297 points but placed 14th in the jury vote, resulting in a second place overall finish.
University of Michigan Hillel Opens Art Installation Celebrating Jewish Resilience
University of Michigan Hillel, in collaboration with the Jewish Communal Leadership Program (JCLP) and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor, unveiled a new art installation celebrating Jewish resilience. Renowned visual artist Hillel Smith led a community art session, guiding participants in creating a piece that reflects the strength and unity of the Jewish community amid challenges. The installation, now a permanent fixture at Michigan Hillel, serves as a lasting tribute to the community’s enduring spirit.
University of Wisconsin Hillel’s LaunchPad Program Connects Students with Jewish Professionals
University of Wisconsin Hillel’s LaunchPad initiative pairs University of Wisconsin-Madison students with professionals in fields like STEM, law, business, and marketing. Launched by undergraduates and now supported by Hillel staff, the program has expanded from one mentor-mentee pair to 45 pairs, with plans to grow to 150.
Brandeis Hillel and Brandeis University Partner to Build New Center for Jewish Life
Hillel at Brandeis and Brandeis University announced a major initiative to renovate Kutz Hall into a 28,000-square-foot Center for Jewish Life — the first-ever stand-alone building for Brandeis Hillel. This new facility will feature gathering spaces, a café, a beit midrash (dedicated space for Torah study), and areas for Shabbat and holiday celebrations. The project is part of a $25 million campaign to grow and strengthen Jewish life at Brandeis.
NYU Withholds Diploma to Student Speaker After Unapproved Anti-Israel Graduation Speech
NYU withheld the diploma of a student commencement speaker after he allegedly lied to university leaders, and gave a speech in which he falsely accused Israel and the United States of committing genocide in Gaza. University officials said that the student submitted a different version of his speech and knowingly misled administrators. The university said the student violated speech approval rules and is considering further disciplinary action.
American Hostage Edan Alexander Released After Nearly 600 Days in Hamas Captivity
After 584 days in Hamas captivity, Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old U.S. and Israeli citizen from Tenafly, New Jersey, was released and has returned safely to Israel. Edan has been reunited with his family as part of a deal brokered between Hamas and the United States.