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
ADL Report Finds Wikipedia Editors Actively Promoting Anti-Israel Bias
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced the results of an investigation that uncovered a network of 30 Wikipedia editors – volunteer moderators for the popular information websites – who worked together to publish anti-Israel narratives and antisemitic content across the platform, in violation of the site’s policies. According to the ADL report, these editors contributed at twice the rate of typical users and communicated 18 times more frequently to manipulate articles.
Columbia University in Talks with White House to Restore $400 Million in Federal Funding
The White House has extended Columbia University’s deadline to meet its demands regarding addressing campus antisemitism in order to restore $400 million in federal grant funding. The government’s demands for Columbia include banning masks at protests; increasing campus police authority; and placing the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies department under external oversight.
Israel Resumes Airstrikes in Gaza as Hamas Refuses to Release Remaining Hostages
After weeks of failed negotiations to reach an extension of a ceasefire agreement that expired on March 1, Israel launched new airstrikes against Hamas with the goals of degrading Hamas leadership and freeing the 59 hostages still remaining in Gaza. Israeli officials condemned Hamas for violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement, while the Hostage Families Forum called on Israeli citizens to join an emergency protest against the resumption of hostilities.
Cornell SJP Chapter Faces Potential Suspension Over Disruption of Peace Panel
Cornell University is considering suspending its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), along with students who disrupted a “Pathways to Peace” panel featuring Israeli, Palestinian, and American leaders. The protest, led by SJP, drew condemnation from the university, with Interim President Michael Kotlikoff stressing that such actions hinder open dialogue.
Hillel of Staten Island Establishes Dedicated Spaces for Jewish Students at Two Local Colleges
Hillel of Staten Island has opened dedicated spaces at both the College of Staten Island and Wagner College to enrich the Jewish student experience. These areas provide students with opportunities for social, educational, and cultural engagement within their academic environments, and have already led to increased student engagement and community experiences.
Columbia Revokes Degrees and Suspends Students Involved in April 2024 Takeover of Hamilton Hall
Columbia University revoked degrees and issued suspensions for students involved in an anti-Israel protest at Hamilton Hall last spring. During the protest, participants stormed and occupied Hamilton Hall, while vandalizing the building and refusing to allow university staff members to leave, leading to police intervention. Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia Barnard Hillel, called the decision “An important first step in righting the wrongs of the past year and a half,” expressing gratitude to the university’s administration for taking action.