Latest News from Campus

Tessa Veksler, former student body president at UC Santa Barbara and UCSB Hillel leader, faced antisemitic harassment after speaking out against the October 7th Hamas attack. She responded by launching the viral hashtag #We’reNotGoingAnywhere, documenting the hate she received and galvanizing support. Veksler now works in strategic communications, speaks nationwide, and is running for a seat on the World Zionist Congress, all while continuing to advocate for Jewish college students and Israel on a global stage.

Maryville University Hillel in St. Louis marked its 10th anniversary, highlighting a decade of fostering Jewish life on campus. Signature events include Shabbat dinners, the annual Holocaust survivor speaker series, which draws over 450 attendees, monthly challah bakes that welcome students from all kinds of Jewish backgrounds, and interfaith initiatives such as “Souper Sunday”, held in conjunction with the Muslim Student Association.

Lauren Robbins, a third-year public relations student at the University of Florida (UF), shares her journey of embracing her Jewish identity, from childhood experiences to active involvement in UF Hillel’s leadership programs. Her participation in initiatives like Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate (SCCNH) — a program that Lauren will chair next year as a senior — has strengthened her commitment to combating antisemitism and fostering community on campus.

Emory University recently hosted its annual Israel Fest co-organized by Emory Hillel and other Jewish student groups. The event featured Israeli music, food, and cultural displays, including tables where attendees wrote letters to families of hostages held by Hamas, and Israeli Defense Force soldiers. Emory Hillel President Maya Rezak emphasized the festival’s role in fostering community and sharing Israeli culture.

Leah Davenport, a senior and Hillel participant at the College of Charleston, led the installation of Stolpersteine — small brass cobblestones placed outside former homes of Holocaust victims — in Berlin to honor the Landsmann family, who were killed in the Holocaust. Inspired by letters she found in her research, Davenport raised funds and worked with artist Gunter Demnig to commemorate the family’s memory in March 2025.

At Virginia Tech Hillel, Executive Director Amanda Herring and Chef Greg Herring have transformed kosher campus dining by integrating Jewish values with sustainability. They source regenerative kosher meat and partner with local farms to reduce waste, turning surplus produce into preserved goods like tomato sauce. Their approach not only honors ancient Jewish traditions, but also educates students on ethical food sourcing, fostering a community centered around mindful eating and environmental stewardship.