Latest News from Campus

Houston Hillel launched a 10-week Shabbat Hosting Lab program that encourages students to host Shabbat in their own homes and dorm rooms. Led by Houston Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Kenny Weiss, the program offers study sessions on core rituals, as well as practical lessons on hospitality and creating a welcoming ambiance. Each student participant hosts two Shabbat meals over the course of the program. According to Rabbi Weiss, the Shabbat Hosting Lab teaches students to create Shabbat anywhere, transforming Jewish life into something “they carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Oregon Hillel and Ducks for Israel hosted a candlelight vigil to mark the two-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks. The event featured prayers, poems, readings of hostage names, and powerful personal reflections from students who recently visited the October 7th sites in Israel. Students emphasized that despite the rising antisemitism on campus, communal events like this remain critically important for rebuilding the community and bringing hope.

Stanford Hillel and Israel Association hosted a “Rally for Hostages” to commemorate the two-year anniversary of October 7th, honoring victims and the 48 hostages still held. The event featured prayers, Hebrew songs, and personal reflections, including from a student who recently visited Israel.

Over 1,000 anti-Israel activists in the UK protested the Israel-Hamas war on October 7th on more than a dozen UK campuses. Jewish students on those campuses reported widespread harassment, including being shouted at, which left many fearful of attending classes. The protests featured rhetoric used by Hamas, including the “beloved resistance” and “glorious Al-Aqsa flood.” In response, British Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urged university leaders to protect Jewish students.

Since October 7th, Syracuse University has prioritized bridge-building and supporting interfaith dialogue. Guided by a friendship between the Hillel campus Rabbi and campus Imam, a Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship began to provide students with a way to share culture and religion. The personal connections and empathy created a safe space for understanding differing opinions and dialogue rather than heated debate. While not immune to escalated conflict, this fellowship gave students a different way to approach challenging subjects.

The City University of New York (CUNY) Hillel Hubs program is an innovative effort to redefine CUNY campus Hillels as social service hubs for students. Launched in 2022 as a partnership between Hillel and UJA-New York, the program provides funding for Hillels to hire on-site social workers and centralize crucial resources including kosher food pantries, mental health services, academic and career counseling, and cash assistance.