News

Hillel International Announces 2025-2026 Student Cabinet

Author

Hillel International

Date

July 8, 2025

New Student Cabinet will strengthen Jewish life and student engagement across more than 850 campuses globally.

Washington, D.C. – Hillel International, the world’s largest Jewish campus organization, today announced the 20 members of the 2025-2026 Hillel International Student Cabinet. The selected students will collaborate with Hillel International’s professional staff and board leadership to advise on student experiences, represent diverse perspectives, and help shape innovative approaches that strengthen Jewish campus life for students worldwide. 

Selected through a highly competitive process, the 20 Cabinet members represent students at the more than 850 campuses Hillel serves worldwide, linking the student experience and organizational leadership. This year, eight universities are represented for the first time, and the 20 members hail from universities in six countries: Brazil, Germany, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“The Student Cabinet ensures that student voices remain at the core of everything we do at Hillel International,” said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International. “The fresh perspective and ideas of these remarkable student leaders are invaluable as we work across the Hillel movement to foster meaningful opportunities for Jewish belonging, community, and leadership for all Jewish students.” 

Ariela Moel and Einav Tsach are serving as the incoming Cabinet’s co-chairs.

“Hillel is more than just a place for Jewish students to gather – it’s a place where they grow into who they’re meant to be,” said Ariela Moel, a member of the class of 2026 at the University of Southern California. “It’s an honor to take on this role and help make that kind of transformation possible – not just on my campus, but around the world – so every Jewish student can find their way home to themselves.” 

“So many Jewish students are feeling disconnected or unsure of where they fit in on campus,” said Einav Tsach, a member of the class of 2026 at the University of Maryland, College Park. “We want Hillel to be that space where every Jewish student feels they belong. This year, we’re hoping to really speak to what students need—whether that’s community, culture, or just a place to relax and be themselves.” 

Below is a full list of the 2025-2026 Hillel International Student Cabinet members. 

Cabinet Members: 

• Gabrielle Barsky-Giles, Queen’s University, ‘26
• Michal Berlove, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, ‘26
• Zoe Cosgrove, University of Michigan, ‘27
• Sydney Grossman, Vanderbilt University, ‘26 
• Hadley Kalson, University of Vermont, ‘26
• Kara Klaiman, University of Virginia, ‘26
• Rachel Lennard, University of Oregon, ‘27
• Sam Leschins, University of Florida, ‘26
• Matthew Levine, The Ohio State University, ‘26
• Mateen Markzar, Brown University, ‘26
• Kylie Miller, Roosevelt University, ‘26
• Ariela Moel, University of Southern California, ‘26
• Andrew Petlak, University of California, Berkeley, ‘26
• Sara Quintero, Northeastern University, London Campus, ‘26
• Michelle Rosner, University of Delaware, ‘26
• Ori Segev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, ‘26
• Elina Shikher, University of Potsdam, ‘26
• Benjamin Small, University of Pennsylvania, ‘27
• Marelo Topper, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, ‘27
• Einav Tsach, University of Maryland, ‘26

The post Hillel International Announces 2025-2026 Student Cabinet appeared first on Hillel International.

Alumni

Hillel Leadership

Paying it Forward: How Ellen B. Fuhr is Empowering Jewish Women at Hunter College

Author

Hillel International

Date

June 17, 2025

When Ellen Fuhr attended Hunter College as a first-generation college student in the 1960s, the institution was still over a decade away from charging tuition. 

“It was a city college, and it was free,” Fuhr recalled. “And if it wasn’t free, I wouldn’t be going to college. There was no way my parents could afford any tuition.”

Today, tuition at Hunter costs thousands of dollars and doesn’t include other expenses like books, housing, or meal plans. And while Hunter is still one of the most affordable public universities in the country, Ellen knows that “most affordable” doesn’t necessarily mean “easy to afford.” 

“Even students who receive scholarships are often still working through college,” she said. “I remember one young woman who received my scholarship held a job all through her undergraduate degree and all through medical school. Her father passed away while she was in college and she only had her mother, and she worked so, so hard. And if anyone deserved help, it was her.”

Ellen knows this struggle personally. As a daughter of an immigrant family, Ellen was raised with strong Jewish faith, determination, and resilience. As an undergraduate, Ellen worked tirelessly — juggling her studies, multiple jobs, and the challenges of making ends meet in New York City. Her perseverance paid off, leading to a long, fulfilling career as a teacher at Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn.

Ellen never forgot the challenges she faced in college. That’s why, in 2019, she decided it was time to give back. “I wanted to ease the way for other young Jewish women like me,” she said. Her generosity has made a profound impact on Hunter Hillel and its students, helping to address food insecurity, fund scholarships, and support a welcoming community. 

“Ellen filled an enormous need,” says Merav Fine Braun, executive director of Hunter Hillel. “She provided a lifeline to so many deserving students.” 

With the guidance of her financial advisor, Marc Coopersmith of RBC Wealth Management, Ellen used strategic gifts like qualified charitable distributions from her individual retirement account (IRA) and a donor-advised fund to maximize her impact. Most recently, Ellen partnered with Hillel International to establish a named scholarship ensuring that her legacy of generosity will continue to uplift and empower the next generation.

The Ellen B. Fuhr Scholarship for Jewish Women at Hunter College offers $5,000 per year to Jewish women at Hunter with a proven record of leadership, entrepreneurship, or volunteerism within their campus or local community. In addition to empowering Jewish women to reach their full potential and to support and uplift future leaders, Ellen’s hope is that the scholarship will allow these women to pursue their education with less financial strain and insecurity.

To ensure this scholarship lives on beyond Ellen’s lifetime,  Ellen decided to make her commitment to Hillel part of her estate plan. “I wanted to make sure it was an ongoing project, because I don’t see the need ending,” she said. Ellen named Hillel as a beneficiary of her estate. For Ellen, leaving a legacy is more than passing on valuables; it’s about passing on shared values.  

The students who receive this scholarship often remain in touch with Ellen through deeply personal email and video updates. “They’ve been telling me what they’ve been doing since they graduated, and it’s amazing what they’re achieving,” she said. “It makes me proud to think that they’re giving back when they can.”

Interested in learning more about Hillel’s supporters? Read their stories and learn more about why they choose to support Hillel.

The post Paying it Forward: How Ellen B. Fuhr is Empowering Jewish Women at Hunter College appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Hillel International Announces Eighth Weinberg Accelerate Executive Advancement Program Cohort

Author

Hillel International

Date

May 21, 2025

Members of the eighth cohort will participate in an 18-month leadership development program focused on creating dynamic leaders within the Hillel movement.

 Today, Hillel International is announcing its eighth cohort of the Debra S. and Joseph S. Weinberg Accelerate Executive Advancement Program, its premier executive advancement experience. Through a combination of expert-led training, executive coaching, and hands-on leadership development, Accelerate cultivates the next generation of Hillel professionals. 

This year’s cohort was selected through a highly competitive process, with applicants from across the Hillel movement. Each participant was selected as a proven leader within Hillel, recognized for their dedication to strengthening Jewish life on campus, fostering community, and driving meaningful impact within their organizations

The eighth cohort includes the following Hillel professionals: 

• Ben Zeiger, Director of Student Engagement, Hillel at Stanford 
• Dawn Savage, Assistant Director, University of Maryland Hillel
• Elyse Wieskopf, Senior Director, Hillel TMU (Hillel Ontario)
• Jeffrey Levin, Senior Jewish Educator, Central Florida Hillel
• Jenna Ferman, Assistant Director, University of Pennsylvania Hillel
• Jordan Gerson, Chief Experience Officer, Washington University in St. Louis Hillel
• Michael Pollak, Assistant Director, Hillel at Kent State University
• Molly Goldmeier, Managing Director, Brown RISD Hillel
• Nicole Berne, Associate Director, Metro Chicago Hillel
• Rachael Cohen, Managing Director, USC Hillel
• Rachel Waldorf, Chief Experience Officer, University of Florida Hillel
• Shana Zionts, Associate Director, Columbia/Barnard Hillel – The Kraft Center for Jewish Life
• Zosia Jezierska Ostałowska, Operations & Finance Manager, Hillel Poland

“This cohort exemplifies the breadth of talent Hillel’s have recruited and fostered to carry out our global mission,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman. “As Hillel continues to serve students in an increasingly complex higher education ecosystem, Accelerate provides opportunities for emerging Hillel leaders to develop the necessary skills and capacities to tackle challenges and capitalize on opportunities.”

Accelerate officially kicked off in February, and will run until August 2026 as the cohort undertakes this unparalleled opportunity to build the strategic, operational, and relational skills essential for executive leadership roles.

The post Hillel International Announces Eighth Weinberg Accelerate Executive Advancement Program Cohort appeared first on Hillel International.

Hillel Leadership

Proud to be Jewish

Student Stories

Passing the Torch: The Evolution of Jewish Leadership on Campus

Author

Abi Schcolnik

Date

May 21, 2025

Abi Schcolnik, outgoing co-chair of the Hillel International Student Cabinet and graduating senior at the University of Miami (UM), shares her reflections on her student leadership journey with UM Hillel and her advice for students just beginning their Jewish college journeys.

Four years ago, as a first-year student at the University of Miami, who had just recently arrived from Uruguay, I attended my first Shabbat dinner at Hillel, unsure of what my Jewish journey would look like. Like many first-year students, I was filled with the worries of being accepted, finding my friend group, and being able to celebrate my Jewish traditions, so that campus would feel like home. Now, at the end of my time on campus, I’m no longer filled with worry, but with gratitude for the community that embraced me and the opportunities that have shaped me into the Jewish student leader I am today.

Being a Jewish student leader at UM has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It has taught me the power of building community, creating Jewish joy, and the importance of mentorship. Mentoring new students who are seeking connection through Jewish life on campus has been extremely fulfilling. Helping them find the right opportunity and explore the programs available to them allowed me to pass on the knowledge I’d gained over four years. From applications to general guidance, this community and mentorships were the highlight of my college experience. As I prepare to graduate, I am proud to pass the torch to the next generation of Jewish student leaders on campus, whose advocacy will ensure that our campus remains a safe space, full of vibrant Jewish life.

Over the past two years, I have seen the importance of student leadership firsthand in confronting the rampant antisemitism on campuses around the country. The days after October 7 were difficult for every Jewish person, and they were amplified for students by the campus antisemitism and hostility that followed. Instead of allowing this pain to push us down, we stood up, took action, and became stronger. 

In the months that followed, I worked with our campus Hillel to ensure our administration took antisemitism seriously while creating events centered on Jewish joy, and through this, I found that advocating for Jewish life became my passion. The results of my advocacy and that of my peers have been clear at UM. I’ve watched our Shabbat dinners at Hillel grow from just a few people to large, vibrant celebrations, full of Jewish students from all backgrounds, and I’ve watched campus become a welcoming place for all students, regardless of their religion or culture. While this growth has been a testament to organizations like Hillel, it has also been a testament to the spirit of Jewish students who have overcome so much over the last two years.

Knowing that many first-year students feel the way I did when they start at UM, our leadership has prioritized supporting Jewish students from the day they set foot on campus. These efforts have been seen quite noticeably in FreshFest, our freshman orientation program, which has expanded, helping new students find their place on campus and create a community where they can take pride in their culture and foster a sense of Jewish joy.

As a result of this growth, the Jewish community at UM isn’t just strong — it’s thriving. We’ve been able to welcome Israeli leaders like Naftali Bennett and Benny Gantz for Q&A sessions and foster an environment where Israel education can take place. This safe, enriching environment for Jewish students has also elevated programming. We now have the running club, cooking club, Cafe Ivrit, and even a class with Briana Schwarz, UM Hillel’s executive director, about Jewish life beyond college. I understand there are a lot of challenges for Jewish students on campus since 10/7, but my experience has been fulfilling, and I know future students at UM will have the opportunity to enjoy it just as much.

As my student leadership begins to wind down, I’m grateful that the next generation of Jewish leaders on campus has shown that we’re in good hands. This semester, I’ve had the privilege of guiding younger students at the Florida Hillels’ leadership summit and attending Hillel International’s Israel Summit, which reaffirmed my belief that the next wave of Jewish student leaders is more than equipped to make our community even stronger. Most importantly, participating in the Hillel International Student Cabinet allowed me to work directly with Hillel professionals and students from around the world to help ensure Hillel is maximizing its impact. This experience not only allowed me to promote new programming and work on new initiatives, but also allowed me to create an environment where young Jewish students across the world can flourish. 

Hillel’s trust in my fellow cabinet members and me has helped improve student life, and continuing to foster this leadership ensures that the future of Jewish leadership is bright. 

Now, as I prepare for my final Shabbat as a student at UM, blending customs from my Uruguayan background with our campus traditions, I feel nothing but pride and hope. To the next generation of Jewish student leaders: your voice matters, your work is important, and your journey is just beginning. To Jewish student leaders who are graduating: your leadership never ends, it just evolves.

The post Passing the Torch: The Evolution of Jewish Leadership on Campus appeared first on Hillel International.

News

From the Desk of Adam Lehman: Reflecting on Student Accomplishments this Academic Year

Author

Adam Lehman

Date

May 20, 2025

Friends,

May marks a season of both beginnings and endings. As we celebrate the graduating class of 2025, we also prepare to welcome the class of 2029, who, on May 1st, committed to schools on National College Decision Day.

We also recently wrapped up Hillel Global Giving Week (HGGW), our annual grassroots fundraising campaign. Now in its sixth year, our Hillel movement raised more than $5 million dollars from nearly 10,000 gifts. To all those of you who donated to either a campus Hillel or Hillel International, thank you. It is these investments that make so many moments of Jewish joy, pride, connection, learning and community possible. And to those who haven’t yet made a donation, it’s not too late to contribute to a Hillel that’s been meaningful for you or a member of your family!

When I reflect on this past school year, I’m particularly inspired by the incredible Jewish students who are at the heart of our movement. I’m sharing the below stories about just a few of these awesome young Jewish leaders.

Robust student leadership that transforms Hillels

At Texas Hillel, Ethan Martinez set about to make an impact that stretched beyond the campus community. Ethan became involved with Why Not Me?, a program that empowers children from low socioeconomic backgrounds to envision a future that includes college, and took the lead on organizing one of the program’s “grocery nights,” where 15 families gathered with volunteers to cook and eat a meal together and receive food donations.

Ethan announced the project at an AEPhi Shabbat at Hillel and received an outpouring of support with enough donations to run a second grocery night the next month, ultimately supporting 30 families with over 90 people attending each gathering. “These weren’t just distribution events — they were designed with dignity and community at their core. There was no clear line between those giving and those receiving; everyone participated equally, cooking, eating and supporting one another in a shared experience,” said Rabbi Andy Weissfeld, senior Jewish educator at Texas Hillel. “The experience was a powerful reminder of the impact that’s possible when students come together around dignity, community, and service.”

Another incredible student leader who just so happens to have the same first name, Ethan Elkin-Handelman, a graduating senior from Rider University in New Jersey, also made a notable impact. Ethan helped triple the number of students participating in Rider Hillel programs, effectively reestablishing the Hillel on campus.

An elementary education major and member of Hillel International’s Israel Leadership Network, he shared his love for Jewish life, saying, “I’ve always been really passionate about being Jewish…I wanted Jewish people on campus to feel safe.” As he prepares for graduation, he leaves behind a legacy of a reinvigorated and recommitted hub for Jewish life at Rider.

Programs that strengthen and grow our communities

Vibrant Jewish life also includes building bridges with other campus communities. Earlier this spring, our Black-Jewish Unity Dinner series, hosted in partnership with the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) made stops in Baltimore and at John Jay College in New York City. The dinners provided opportunities to “break bread and build bridges” by bringing together Black, Jewish, and Black and Jewish students from multiple schools to deepen understanding and empathy between communities.

Reflecting on the experiences, Johns Hopkins Hillel student Abby shared, “The Black and Jewish communities have had a connection for a really long time, especially in the Civil Rights movement. The connection has broken down in the last few years, and we can really see the divide at Hopkins, so it’s important to me to try and bridge that divide. Both the Jewish students and the HBCU (Historically Black College and University) students I met tonight joined our respective institutions looking for a sense of belonging, and we’ve found that through our communities.”

Jewish student advocacy that leads to a brighter future

At the intersection of young Jewish leadership and a mission to build community belonging and understanding are the five Hillel students from University of California (UC) schools who recently met with Rich Leib, chair of the University of California Board of Regents, to discuss addressing campus antisemitism across the UC system and explore ways to better support Jewish students. “At the end of the day, we’re all here to be students. Yet for many Jewish students, that experience both in and out of the classroom is being disrupted,” said Shir Diner, a Hillel student leader at UC Irvine. “It was incredibly validating to finally speak with someone who is listening.”

When it comes to speaking up and speaking out, I can’t help but think of Leah Davenport, a College of Charleston Hillel student leader, who inspired us with her commitment to honoring the legacy of Malie, Chaim, Ida, and Peppi Landsmann — a family that was murdered in the Holocaust. After years of research, navigating archives, and hosting bake sales on campus, Leah raised nearly $1,000 to help place stolpersteine — “stumbling stones” — in Berlin to honor the Landsmann family on the streets where they once walked. On March 9, 2025, the stones were placed in Berlin, cementing the Landsmann family’s memories in the city where they once lived.

This year has been one of tremendous growth for the Hillel movement, including at Hillels outside of North America. In Poland, Michalina’s journey with Hillel began when she was a student, attending major Jewish holidays and Shabbatons with the Hillel Warsaw community. Despite living nearly an hour away in the city of Lodz, her commitment to Jewish life kept her traveling regularly to be a part of the community. When we were presented with the opportunity to open a Hillel location in Lodz, Michalina was the easy choice to lead it.

She stepped into her role with passion and vision, and under her leadership, Lodz has grown into one of the most dynamic and fast-growing chapters in the country. She has created a welcoming space for Jewish life, learning, and connection — all things that keep her students coming back for more, just like she did when she was in their shoes. Later this month, Michalina will represent Polish Jewish youth at an international conference in France — telling her story of the power of one student’s dedication to building Jewish life.

As we approach the official end of the academic year, on the Jewish calendar we also begin to wind down the days of the counting of the Omer, marking the sacred journey from freedom to responsibility — from the Exodus to Sinai, from liberation to revelation. It’s a time that reminds us that true transformation happens not in a moment, but in the steady commitment to growth, day by day. In that spirit, we celebrate how our students continue to demonstrate and inspire that commitment —building community, deepening identity, and shaping the Jewish future.

B’shalom,
Adam

The post From the Desk of Adam Lehman: Reflecting on Student Accomplishments this Academic Year appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Times of Israel: Campus Insider: The Resilient Rise of Jewish Campus Leaders

Author

Jonathan Falk

Date

April 9, 2025

Originally published on April 9, 2025 in The Times of Israel, “Campus Insider: The Resilient Rise of Jewish Campus Leaders,” written by Hillel International’s Vice President for Israel Engagement and Confronting Antisemitism Jon Falk, explores how Jewish student leaders have responded to exclusion and hostility on campus with resilience and a recommitment to Jewish leadership. You can find excerpts from the piece below and read the full essay on Times of Israel.  

“Since October 7, 2023, Jewish college students across the U.S. have faced increasing hostility on their campuses. Once active in diverse student organizations, many now find themselves excluded from spaces they used to call home. In response, these students are leaning into Hillel and the Jewish community, emerging as a new generation of resilient leaders. 

Students like Sammi and Adam [Jewish student leaders at Lewis & Clark College and Case Western Reserve University, respectively], once integral to campus leadership, are being pushed out of spaces where they used to feel welcome simply because of their Jewish and Israeli identities. Talented and driven, they might have led an a cappella group, the environmental science club, or the legal society. Instead, they are turning to their Hillels — often the only places on campus that fully welcome them — and channeling their leadership into the Jewish community.

Today, Sammi and Adam serve in leadership roles at their campus Hillels and are members of Hillel International’s prestigious Israel Leadership Network (ILN), which connects North America’s top Jewish and Zionist student leaders into a united cohort empowered to lead their generation and future generations in support of Israel and the Jewish community through education, advocacy, and engagement.

Following October 7 and the dramatic increase in antisemitism in the world and on college campuses, Jewish students turned to Hillel as their refuge. Some came for a Shabbat dinner or a social event. But they stayed for the safety and belonging they found.

And then they stepped up. They took on leadership roles. They ran for office. And they became the strongest generation of young Jewish leaders in decades.”

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News

Dor L’Dor: The Women Who Inspire Today’s Hillel Student Leaders

Author

Hillel International

Date

March 28, 2025

March is Women’s History Month, a dedicated time to recognize and celebrate the vital role women have played and continue to play in American history and society. To celebrate, we asked three female-identifying Hillel student leaders to share their thoughts about the Jewish women who inspire them, and to offer some words of wisdom for incoming college students, many of whom are getting ready to make their college decisions now.

What is one thing you wish you knew before going to college or advice you want to give incoming college students?

Maya Harpaz (she/her), University of Pennsylvania, 2025:
“One thing I wish I knew before going to college is that your experience won’t look anything like your application essay — and that’s a good thing! When I applied, I had a pretty narrow idea of what my college life would be like: the activities I’d join, the classes I’d take, and the path I’d follow. But once I got to Penn, I quickly realized there was so much more out there than what I had read online or heard from older students.”

“I threw myself into anything that sparked my curiosity — joining clubs, attending events, and enrolling in classes that seemed even remotely interesting. Through that process of exploration, I discovered where I truly belonged and where I could thrive. My freshman-year self would have never imagined I’d become president of Penn Hillel, but stepping out of my comfort zone and taking on leadership roles in the Jewish community has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my college journey. So, my advice to incoming students: Be open to the unexpected, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. College is about growth, and sometimes that means allowing your path to evolve in ways you never anticipated.”

Sammi Weiss, Lewis & Clark College, 2027:
“College is the best time for the moments where you will discover new things about yourself and go on adventures! My advice is to embrace any and all opportunities that come your way, whether that’s going to a concert with your friends or taking on a leadership role within your community. Try new things: foods, adventures, classes – you name it! You never know what part of yourself will be discovered until you take that leap! For Jewish students, don’t be afraid to show your Jewish identity. Now more than ever, we need to embrace our culture, our people, and our traditions! We cannot let antisemitism define us. Find your community of people who will celebrate you for who you are.”

Zara Nybo (she/her), University of British Columbia, 2026:
“My advice to any new college student is that your voice matters and your opinions matter. There will be classrooms, professors, and other students who will make you feel as if you should stay quiet to keep the peace… But if you do that, you let them win. You have every right to voice your opinion and display your Zionism proudly. Please stay true to YOU, because YOU are your own superpower. Be kind, but never back down from your values and what you know to be true.“

Who is a Jewish woman who inspires you?

Maya: “[Congresswoman] Nita Lowey, who passed away early this year, has been a powerful source of inspiration for me ever since I discovered how my passion for politics and my Jewish identity could intersect. As a U.S. congresswoman, Lowey represented my hometown in New York from 1989 to 2021. She broke barriers as the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee and consistently championed issues that mattered deeply to her, including being a steadfast supporter of Israel within the Democratic Party.”

“What truly inspires me about Rep. Lowey is how unapologetically proud she was of both her Jewish identity and her identity as a woman — and how she used her platform to advocate for both groups. Her commitment to serving her community with integrity and courage set a powerful example of leadership.”

“In 2019, I had the opportunity to meet with her office during a trip with my synagogue. Her staff’s encouragement and genuine interest in empowering me to speak up on issues I care about made a lasting impression. Their guidance helped me find the confidence to engage with lawmakers and advocate for meaningful change. Seeing how Rep. Lowey turned her passion and principles into impactful action continues to inspire me as I pursue my own career.”

Sammi: “Laura Jeser is one of my Jewish inspirations! [Laura] works at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, and when I was an eager freshman looking for connections in the broader community, she welcomed me in. [Over] the past two years, she’s invited me to her home for Jewish holidays and been a role model that I aspire to be like! She inspires me because she excels in her job and seems to be really happy with the work she does. She always has a contagious smile that stretches beyond her career and seeps into the people she is around, in the best ways! Her journey through her career in Jewish nonprofits has inspired me to want to pursue a similar path for myself. I am inspired by the ways she connects Jewish values to her everyday work and her personal life! Seeing how Laura was motivated to give back to the community that shaped her in so many ways, I am excited and empowered to do the same for myself.”

Zara: “A Jewish woman who inspires me, besides my incredible mother-in-law Galit, would be [British barrister, international law expert, and speaker] Natasha Hausdorff. The way Natasha is able to articulate the legal case for Israel’s right to defend itself, and the case in general for Israeli sovereignty, is a talent I admire. Natasha has an amazing ability to debate, which she has honed over the years, and I believe this is a skill every student who wants to defend Israel will have to learn in some form. Learning from Natasha and the way she holds herself in the difficult conversation she partakes in to defend Israel inspires me every day.”

The post Dor L’Dor: The Women Who Inspire Today’s Hillel Student Leaders appeared first on Hillel International.

Alumni

Hillel Leadership

Supporting Jewish Students Through Community Building at Hillel at Hunter

Author

Hillel International

Date

March 6, 2025

Cindy Golub’s investment in Hillel began with the Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Hillel), where she and, subsequently, her three children studied. “I’ve supported Hillel for a long time. My feeling has always been [that] if my family benefits from anything, I should pay them back ten times.”

As Cindy’s life and philanthropy expanded beyond Penn Hillel, she found her way to Hillel at Hunter College — an organization with deep family roots for her. Cindy’s mother was a graduate of Hunter College Class of 1948. A first-generation college student, her mother grew up during the Great Depression and needed to work seven days a week to not only afford her education but also support her father, Cindy’s grandfather. 

It was because of her mother’s experiences in college that inspired Cindy to support Hillel at Hunter through a named endowment, renaming it the Rita Levine Rabin Hillel at Hunter College. “I saw the similarity between the current Jewish students at Hunter and my mother,” Cindy shared. “Also first-generation. Needing to work to support themselves and their families. I wish my mother, when she was there, had these advantages. She didn’t, unfortunately, but we can offer it to these generations.”

Hillel at Hunter, which supports students at several New York City-based schools including Hunter College, Marymount Manhattan College, and the Silberman School of Social Work, offers students services like career counseling, food assistance, and mental health support, that help them focus on their education. “What I learned was that Hillel at Hunter also functions as a total social service agency. They really make a difference and help these students,” said Cindy.

Hillel at Hunter also serves as a critical space for Jewish students to express and explore their connection to their Jewish identities, through programming and Jewish education. Cindy understands the importance of having a space dedicated to Jewish students, especially during the challenges faced by Jewish students since October 7th. Reflecting on her mother’s need for that space, Cindy said, “You know how next to your yearbook [photo], it has your clubs next to it? The only club – [and] my mother didn’t have time for clubs, of course, because she was working and going to school – listed next to her name was Hillel. [Seeing that], it really made me feel like I’m paying it back.” 

After recently attending a Not Shabbat Shabbat dinner at Hillel at Hunter, a Shabbat-style dinner that Hillel at Hunter holds for commuter students who very often aren’t on campus on Fridays, Cindy was inspired by the sense of community that this diverse group of students displayed. “It’s just wonderful to sit there and talk to the students. [I enjoy listening to them discuss] their hopes and dreams, what they’re trying to do and why they’re there and what they’re getting out of it,” she said. “It’s lovely because it’s really a sense of community. It really felt like a Shabbat dinner, even though it was during the week.”

It’s Hillel at Hunter’s community building, alongside the full spectrum of support they offer Jewish students, that inspires Cindy’s ongoing support. In a full-circle moment, she shared that, “Rabbi Mike Uram, who was head of Penn Hillel for a long time, said that when you go to college, you define what your Jewish identity is. Until that point, it’s your family that defines it, but when you go to college, you get to decide what Judaism means to you, how you want to interact with it, and how you want to be part of the Jewish community.”

Read more about Hillel supporters like Cindy and the impact they have on generations of Jewish college students. 

The post Supporting Jewish Students Through Community Building at Hillel at Hunter appeared first on Hillel International.

News

We’re Craving Some Competition: Reinventing a Jewish A Cappella Event

Author

Hillel International

Date

February 27, 2025

The Northeast Hillels A Cappella Tournament (NHAC), a student-inspired and led initiative, came together through the ideas and hard work of a group of dedicated students. Read on to learn more about student leader Elyon Topolosky who is a performing arts student who loves Jewish music. This is the second part in a two-part series about NHAC student leaders.

For Elyon Topolosky, the music director of Rak Shalom, one of University of Maryland’s two Jewish a cappella groups, his introduction to the world of competitive collegiate Jewish a cappella came before he was a college student himself. His high school a cappella group, Shir Madness, had the chance to be the opener and intermission performer at Kol HaOlam, a national Jewish a cappella competition once held at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C.

“We got to spend the entire weekend with the groups,” Elyon recalled. “So first of all, it was so cool to be performing alongside college groups as a high school student. But really, the weekend experience, the full Shabbaton alongside the competition, was something I still remember in full detail today.”

This year, Hillel International and the University of Maryland Hillel are working to bring this type of experience to life once more — with the first-ever Northeast Hillels A Cappella Competition, where six Jewish a cappella groups will gather together for a Shabbaton and competition. 

As a student leader in the Jewish community on campus, Elyon has helped run large-scale events at the University of Maryland, but this was something totally new. “We created a whole new event structure,” he said. “I’ve been managing logistics and coordinating with so many people from Hillel International to bring it to life. It’s going to be remarkable to see it all come together.”

The Northeast Hillels A Cappella Competition will be more than just a contest. In fact, the gathering will include a full Shabbat experience — services, meals, and plenty of community time — with music playing a key role. 

“We wanted to really do this with the whole community, not separately. We wanted to join Maryland Hillel for Shabbat and bring our voices into the room,” he said. “ 

Working with Hillel staff on campus, Elyon has helped coordinate logistics to ensure that there will be musical elements to both the egalitarian and Orthodox Shabbat services, with members of a cappella groups leading prayers. Additionally, there will be singing before, during, and after meals, as well as workshops and teachings led by award-winning vocal arranger, songleader, composer, and vocalist Mayta Cohen, who will also be serving as the event’s MC.

For Elyon, something he’s most excited about is being able to connect with other Jewish a cappella groups and to see them perform — something he rarely gets to do outside of Spotify playlists. But as a theater major, Elyon is also excited to meld his passion for the performing arts, which he is majoring in, and his love for Jewish music and his Jewish friends.  

“I spend a lot of time with Jewish students and my Jewish friends, but there are times when I’ll go hours and hours without really feeling a sense of Jewish identity in my studies,” he said. “Often, those two worlds don’t overlap. So it’s really special to be performing with my Jewish a cappella group, alongside other Jewish a cappella groups, in a space where I don’t always feel as connected to my Judaism. Bringing those two parts of my life togethers really exciting.”

The Northeast Hillels A Cappella Competition will be  aca-awesome — plan a watch party and check out the livestream with your friends. Best of luck to everyone competing!

The post We’re Craving Some Competition: Reinventing a Jewish A Cappella Event appeared first on Hillel International.

News

An Aca-Revival of a Jewish Musical Event

Author

Hillel International

Date

February 27, 2025

The Northeast Hillels A Cappella Tournament (NHAC), a student-inspired and led initiative, came together through the ideas and hard work of a group of dedicated students. Read on to learn more about Dani Schwartz, whose idea for a Jewish college a cappella tournament started it all. This is the first part in a two-part series about NHAC student leaders.

From chanted prayers to summer camp song sessions to improvised harmonies in niggunim (the wordless melodies often sung as part of services), music is an integral part of Jewish culture. 

For Dani Schwartz, a senior at the University of Maryland, competing with other Jewish college a cappella groups is an exciting and meaningful expression of Jewish music culture. That’s why, along with her fellow student leaders, she’s helped organize the Northeast Hillels A Cappella Competition, a new initiative presented by Hillel International.

Dani joined Rak Shalom, one of University of Maryland’s two Jewish a cappella groups, during her freshman year in 2021. Campus communities were finding their feet again after the closures and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancellation of the Kol HaOlam National Collegiate Jewish A Cappella Competition. 

“The older students [in Rak Shalom] spoke so highly of the experience they had competing with other Jewish a cappella groups,” Dani said. “They got to sing together, and of course that was really fun, but there was also the social aspect: spending Shabbat with the other groups, getting to know them, and participating in something they were all interested in.”

Dani first began considering a plan to launch a new Jewish college a cappella competition during her sophomore year, when she was serving as president of Rak Shalom, floating the idea to a few friends and getting their input. It wasn’t until she raised the subject with her father that things started really moving.

“He mentioned that Adam [Lehman, President and CEO of Hillel International] goes to the same shul as our family,” she said. “I’d known Adam as a person, but I never really made the connection with his role until my dad brought it up and suggested talking to Adam about it.”

Knowing that Adam was a member of his own community a cappella group and passionate about Jewish music, Dani approached him the next time she was home for Shabbat. 

“I just went up to him and said, ‘Hi, I’m Dani, I’m part of Rak Shalom,’” she recalled. “It was our first in-depth conversation, but when I brought up the idea of bringing back a competition and talking to Hillel about what that might look like, he was so excited. He was so, so supportive.”

That first conversation kicked off many more, and soon, planning for the first-ever Northeast Hillels A Cappella Competition was underway. With support from Hillel International staff and collaboration with University of Maryland Hillel, Dani and other student leaders planned a weekend that would celebrate Jewish music and the community it brings together.

 Six student groups will spend a weekend together in prayer, community, celebration, and connection. “We knew it would involve more preparation to do a full Shabbat weekend rather than just an evening’s competition, but when I think about what’s meaningful about being part of an event like this, it’s really about the Shabbat and the community aspects,” Dani said. “So I thought, let’s do it.”

While this is Dani’s senior year, she has high hopes for the future of the competition. “I would love to see it grow to include more than just the northeastern part of the country,” she said. “It’s something that every Jewish a cappella group wants to be a part of, because it’s such an amazing experience,” she said.

And what about winning?

“Well,” Dani said, all smiles, “That definitely would be a plus!”

Best of aca-luck to all the competing groups — may all your pitches be perfect!

The post An Aca-Revival of a Jewish Musical Event appeared first on Hillel International.