Hillel International Scholarships

Updates

Defying the Odds, Reaching New Heights, and Honoring Those Who Came Before Me

Author

Melissa Simplicio

Date

July 24, 2025

Melissa is a 2025 recipient of the Sandy and Jack Cohen Scholarship through Hillel International. She is a rising second-year student at New York University, studying computer science and economics.

My journey to NYU and becoming a Hillel International scholarship recipient has been anything but linear. I was born and raised in the northern district of Rio de Janeiro – an area often overlooked and underserved, where young lives are too frequently shaped by violence. Statistically, my path should have been no different. But with the support and strength of my parents and grandparents, I have always believed that education could be my passport to a different future.

From solving English-language puzzles together to rearranging Hebrew word magnets on our fridge, my family instilled in me a sense of curiosity that reached far beyond our neighborhood. They helped shape me into a global citizen and gave me the courage to dream of something bigger, like learning multiple languages, studying in the U.S, and building a life filled with possibility.

I also grew up with the stories of my great-grandparents, Jewish immigrants who arrived in Brazil with fake passports and assimilated into Brazilian society in order to escape World War II. My grandparents, in turn, had to work from a young age to help support their families, prioritizing survival over education for themselves, but passing the value of education to my father. My father, a Jewish artist, kitchen chef, and polyglot, became my mentor in all things: Torah, fantasy books, French memory games, and paintings on my magenta-pink walls. And when he died of a heart attack 15 years ago, he took a piece of me with him.

Amid shiva condolences and grief,  I committed to the longstanding Jewish tradition of learning the Torah, in my dad’s honor. Judaism and the connection I built to God comforted me with the reminder that I am here because of my dad,  and anything positive I do in the world after his passing is also his success.

Now, my father’s legacy lives not only in my memories but in the values he instilled in me: devotion to Judaism, creativity, kindness, and fearlessness. 

I plan to honor his legacy and that of my family through my education. Higher education will equip me with the expertise, research opportunities, and tools to drive change in equitable healthcare. After graduation, my goal is to become a health-tech leader, developing computational models that improve patient outcomes for people of color, women, and transgender individuals. After seeing so many people in my community growing up suffer from a lack of adequate access to health care, I am determined to explore solutions that directly address the needs of my communities, always grounded in the belief of kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh — all of Israel (all of humanity) is responsible for one another.

Becoming a Hillel International Scholarship recipient has opened the door to so many possibilities. During my first year of college, I balanced rigorous academic coursework with leadership roles in student organizations and part-time jobs to support myself. This scholarship allows me to enter my second year with the freedom to prioritize learning, leadership, and professional development without the constant pressure of juggling academics and work. It means I can invest my energy where it matters most.

The sacrifices of those before me made it possible for me to be here today, and I do not take that for granted. By embracing the opportunities they never had, I ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain. I will carry their legacy forward by using my education to uplift others, knowing that every step I take is one they would have taken if only they had been given the chance. It’s a privilege — and a gift.

Learn more about Hillel International scholarships and see the full list of 2025 recipients.

The post Defying the Odds, Reaching New Heights, and Honoring Those Who Came Before Me appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Hillel International Announces Largest Scholarship Awards in its History for Upcoming School Year

Author

Hillel International

Date

July 24, 2025

Hillel International will award college scholarships to more than 60 Jewish students totaling nearly $350,000 this fall across the U.S. and Canada.

Washington, D.C. – Hillel International, the world’s largest Jewish campus organization, today announced the recipients of its 2025 Student Leadership Scholarships. The organization will award nearly $350,000 to more than 60 students across 12 scholarship categories, representing the largest cohort of scholarship recipients in the program’s history.

Scholarships are merit-based, with factors including academic excellence, community service, Jewish connection, first-generation college enrollment, and family need factoring into the selection process. Past and current scholarship recipients include advocates for rare disease research, data analysts in the Israeli Intelligence Corps, leaders of peer counseling groups, humanitarian aid drivers in Ukraine, and founders of children’s literacy programs.

Hillel International’s scholarship program was founded just five years ago, with four recipients receiving a total of $16,000 in 2020. Since then, Hillel International has dramatically expanded its annual scholarship program for Jewish students by over $300,000 per year, and will disburse more than $1 million in scholarship funds over the next three years. This significant increase in Hillel student scholarships comes at a time of rising participation and engagement in Hillel programs and services — a record-setting 185,000 student participants last school year — and increased antisemitism on college campuses, as well as rising tuition costs.

The majority of Hillel scholarships are renewable annually until the student graduates, and they range from $3,000 to $18,000 annually per scholarship, supporting a wide array of students from incoming college first-years to graduate students. 

“We are exceptionally proud to support these Jewish student leaders who are not only excelling academically but are also committed to becoming leaders in their Jewish and campus communities,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman. “Their dedication, talent, and resilience give us tremendous hope for the future of Jewish life on campus.“

This scholarship program reinforces the organization’s continued commitment to fostering community for Jewish students on campus and continuing to make college more accessible for those at the forefront of Jewish student leadership. The 2025 recipients attend universities across the country and represent diverse backgrounds and academic pursuits.

The full list of recipients this year is as follows:

Aronson Fussman Excellence Scholarship: $18,000 Renewable

• Alek Golubchik, Los Angeles, California, University of Pennsylvania
• Samantha Rose, Short Hills, New Jersey, Duke University
• Tal Appel, Israel, Columbia University

Louis E. Rabinowitz Scholarship: $5,000 Renewable

• Emma Goldman, Atlanta, Georgia, The Citadel
• David Brandin, Columbia, South Carolina, Clemson University
• Brian Cohn, Norfolk, Virginia, University of South Carolina

Frimer First Generation Student Scholarship: $5,000 Renewable

• Jonathan Adler, Las Vegas, Nevada, Yale University

Ellen B. Fuhr Scholarship: $5,000 Renewable

• Katherine Reshetnikov, Queens, New York, Hunter College
• Leah Tamayev, New York City, New York, Hunter College
• Anna Barteck, New York City, New York, Hunter College
• Laura Elliott, New York, Hunter College (Fall 2024 recipient)
• * Two additional students were awarded this scholarship in Fall 2024

Behrman Campus Leadership Award: $5,000 Renewable

• Daniel Hutman, Silver Spring, Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park

Paulson Leadership Award for Jewish CUNY Students: $4,000 Renewable

• Yuval Vine Molco, Israel, Baruch College
• Samuel Reingold, Brooklyn, New York, Baruch College
• Alice Virovlyansky, New York City, New York, Baruch College
• Aidan Herzlinger, Old Bridge, New Jersey, Baruch College
• Becky Halfon, Brooklyn, New York, Brooklyn College
• Yael Dahan, Los Angeles, California, Brooklyn College
• Nitzan Naim, Rosh Haayin, Israel, Brooklyn College
• Sarah Vidal, Brooklyn, New York, City College of New York
• Benjamin Lesczynski, Manhattan, New York, City College of New York
• Daniel Chernov, Staten Island, New York, College of Staten Island
• Mika Feintuch, Haifa, Israel, Hunter College
• Keira Kepets, Teaneck, New Jersey, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Ziv Nachshon, Queens, New York, Queens College
• Maya Harpaz, Kew Gardens, New York, Queens College
• Gavriel Zahler, Long Island, New York, Queens College
• Avishai Aghelian, Queens, New York, Queens College

Jules and Gwen Knapp First Generation Student Scholarship: $3,000 Renewable

• Liane Barak, Boca Raton, Florida, The University of Miami

Jules and Gwen Knapp Campus Leadership Award: $3,000 Renewable

• Ninnette Jalfon, Katy, Texas, The University of Texas at Austin

Lilly E. Reiser Graduate Student Award: $5,000 One-Time

• Rachel Benaim-Abudarham, Boca Raton, Florida, Florida Atlantic University

Jordan and Elise Levin Scholarship for Jewish Enrichment and Education: $5,000 One-Time

• Julia Rose Weiss, Closter, New Jersey, University of Richmond
• Noa Kizhnerman, Queens, New York, Purdue University
• Elias Cohen, Panama, New York University

Jack and Harriet Kudine First-Year Student Scholarship: $5,000 One-Time

• Zoe Lazar, Ocean Township, New Jersey, Virginia Tech University
• Tova Rosenbaum, Pasadena, California, University of California, Los Angeles
• Aviya Madar, Brooklyn, New York, Harvard University

Sandy and Jack Cohen Scholarship: $5,000 One-Time

• Melissa Simplicio Silva, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, New York University

For anyone looking to learn more about contributing to Hillel International’s scholarship efforts, please contact our Senior Director of planned giving Charles M. Miller, JD, AEP® at cmiller@hillel.org or 202.449.6529.

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News

Top Five Memories from Hillel International Israel Summit 2025

Author

Hillel International

Date

March 5, 2025

Early this week, over 500 student leaders, Jewish Agency Israel Fellows, speakers, stakeholders, and young alumni from over 200 campuses across North America came together for the 2025 Hillel International Israel Summit, held this year in beautiful (if chilly!) Chicago. 

The Hillel International Israel Summit is a gathering of Israel-focused student leaders within the Hillel movement. This annual event is an opportunity for top pro-Israel student leaders to learn from community leaders and subject matter experts, network and incubate ideas, and provide constructive feedback on the ever-changing campus climate for Jewish students.

“I stand in awe of all of you in this room,” said Matthew Bronfman, chair of the Hillel International Board of Governors, in his remarks at the Summit. “Each of you has said — hineni, here I am — ready to assume the responsibility to ensure your campus remains a safe space for Jewish and Israeli students.”

Getting all the amazing conversations and takeaways from this year’s conference into one article is impossible, but here are a few of our top highlights.

Panels and Keynotes Brought Star Power, Expertise, and Messages of Resilience

No Hillel gathering would be complete without a lineup of powerful speakers and guests, bringing their wisdom and experience to share with the community. Former Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky, former Member of the Knesset Gadeer Kmal-Mreeh, former Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein, and former White House Middle East Envoy Jason Greenblatt were among the speakers who shared their insights and support with the student leaders. And at the center of every conversation was an understanding that, in this moment, the focus was on leadership, connection, and love for Israel.

“I believe that hope must be at the core of our work and our leadership, even, and maybe especially during hard times,” Esther Abramowitz, associate vice president for global Israel experiences at Hillel International, said in her d’var Torah at the opening plenary, where she offered  words of Jewish learning to kick off the conference. “We will dance over the next few days. We may cry. We will laugh and we will comfort each other.  This is resilience. This gives me hope,” she added.

Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, echoed those sentiments in his opening remarks. “All of you have a unique opportunity right now to step into your strength… It is so important in this moment that you never, never apologize for who you are, what you believe, and what you hope to accomplish in this world,” he said.

Student Leadership and Experience Took Center Stage

Enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world has been at the heart of Hillel’s work for more than 100 years, so it’s no surprise that student leaders and campus experiences were at the forefront of conversations throughout the Israel Summit. In both formal and informal settings, students shared the stories of what campus life since October 7 has been like for them.

“This Summit is more than just a conference—it’s a statement,” said Maya Shiloni, chair of the Hillel International Israel Summit and a junior at Harvard College, as she reflected on the important place the Israel Summit holds in those stories. “A statement that we will not be silent. That we will continue to be proud. That we will continue to lead, to advocate, and to celebrate our people and our homeland.”

In the theme of centering student voices, prominently  featured across panels and plenaries were members of the Hillel International Israel Leadership Network, a community of Israel-focused student leaders across North American campuses who receive comprehensive training and resources to counter anti-Israel narratives, foster meaningful dialogue, and create vibrant Israel-focused programming on their campuses.

“After October 7th, it felt like my world had come crashing down, and like my entire existence as an Israeli-American on my campus was being constantly invalidated. The Israel Leadership Network gave me a lifeline,” said Adam Saar, vice chair of the Israel Leadership Network. “It feels like every day I learn about more amazing things my peers in the Israel Leadership Network are doing on their campuses across the country, and I could not be prouder to be a part of its leadership.”

Out: Lectures and Speeches. In: Conversations, Storytelling, and Connection

Much of the conference was dedicated to informal storytelling and conversation opportunities that encouraged everyone to speak from their hearts, in addition to their expertise.

Lee Yaron, journalist at Haaretz and the author of “10/7: 100 Human Stories” (recently named the 2024 Jewish Book of the Year), knows better than most the power that storytelling can have in shaping opinions. “Personal narratives accomplish what facts alone cannot,” she told Hillel International days before the Summit, where she was a speaker. “They reveal the true complexity and diversity of Israeli society, its peace efforts, and its fundamental humanity.”

In addition to panels and fireside chats, conference participants had the opportunity to attend workshops and master classes, gathering in small groups led by experts in the relevant fields, to discuss topics like the state of campus antisemitism, leadership in times of conflict, Zionism and feminism, building Jewish civic leadership, and advocacy and art

“My favorite moment was going to a talk about Zionism in the USSR and learning about how [Jews left the USSR undercover to move to Israel so they could live openly as Jews] and the struggles they had to go through,” said Josh Velazquez, a student from the University of California,Riverside. 

All Work and No Play? Not a Chance.

The Summit was focused on collaborative efforts to support Israel education and advocacy on campus, but it was still a Hillel event — and that meant making time for fun. Sunday night’s entertainment included a concert and party with Israeli DJ Yarden Klayman, named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” who kept students captivated with her unique combination of saxophone performance and DJ skills. Students danced, sang, and enjoyed a 360 camera and giant lawn games like Jenga and Connect Four.

These moments of levity were perfect examples of living the lessons from Esther Abramowitz’s opening d’var Torah, where she emphasized the importance of focusing on joy even in times of mourning. “The concept in Hebrew is gam v’gam,” she told the community. “Living with sadness and joy at the same time.”

Grief Cast a Shadow, but Memories Brought Light — and Reminders of Why We Do This Work

In fact, this concept, gam vgam, was a unifying theme throughout the Summit. Many speakers reflected on the bittersweet timing of the gathering, so soon after the funerals of the Bibas family and other murdered hostages in Israel. The plight of the remaining hostages, as well as the memories of those slain in captivity and murdered on October 7, was a presence in every room.

“I want to thank everyone for being here and standing up, being a voice for Hersh and those whose voices cannot be heard,” said Abby Polin, aunt of Hersh Goldberg-Polin (z”l), who was murdered in Hamas captivity last summer. 

“Speak out, raise awareness, and support the efforts of organizations like Hillel International, who empower all of you and who are working tirelessly to bring our loved ones home,” she said. “We cannot remain silent. We cannot forget. We must continue to raise our voices until every single one of them is home where they belong.”

Amid this grief, there was still so much joy and pride. Students shared stories of the safety, comfort, and happiness they found in their Jewish communities on campus, and the power of gathering with other Jewish students through Hillel programming. The message was clear: This Summit wasn’t only about standing up against anti-Israel hate, but actively sharing the love and connection that Jewish students find in their relationships with Israel and with each other.

And Hillel is here to help students continue that passion and connection throughout their journeys. As Lee Dranikoff, chair of the Hillel International Board of Directors, shared, “Hillel is committed to helping you both here and back on campus. We can provide the tools and training. But we need you to lead…” 

Learn more about the Hillel International Israel Summit and the impact it has on Israel-focused student leaders. 

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Hillel International Scholarships

Proud to be Jewish

Investing in Creativity is Tikkun Olam — A Way to Repair the World

Author

Mark L.

Date

January 9, 2025

Mark is a 2024 recipient of the Jordan and Elise Levin Scholarship for Jewish Enrichment and Education through Hillel International. As a first-generation college student at Stanford University, Mark uses filmmaking to tell a diverse array of stories. Learn more about Hillel International scholarships and apply today. 

I’m constantly amazed by the power of storytelling, and the way that, no matter who you are, a camera can help you share a story that might otherwise be lost. I believe that everyone has a story to tell, and every individual’s story has value. 

My story is driven by my aspiration to be the first in my family to attain a four-year college degree in the United States. My dream is to become a storyteller, a changemaker, and a leader who contributes to the world through the power of film. Through the Jordan and Elise Levin Scholarship for Jewish Enrichment and Education, Hillel International is helping me make that a reality — and helping me show that storytelling is another way we can start to repair the world.

As a Hillel International scholarship recipient, I attend Stanford University, and I’m so grateful to have found a home with Hillel at Stanford. Hillel has become a part of my weekly routine, especially on Shabbat. Receiving a Hillel International scholarship has been an honor — not just because I love my Judaism and I love Hillel, but because I see this scholarship as a way of really putting my Jewish values into action. 

Long before I found my way to Hillel, I started down the path of connecting my Jewish identity with filmmaking. My camera became not just a tool but a bridge, connecting me with people who tackled adversity with hope and determination. I decided to harness the power of film to ensure that my peers’ amazing stories would not go unheard. 

I also committed to helping other filmmakers realize their dreams. When I saw that financial barriers have kept many aspiring young filmmakers around the world from breaking into film festivals and sharing their work with a broader audience, I began to envision and build a student-led, free-to-enter film festival that prioritized the voices of marginalized artists. 

In 2022, the Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF) was born. Within the first week, we had thousands of entries, and since then, we’ve received nearly 20,000 films from student filmmakers in 149 countries. But beyond the quantitative impact, many of the filmmakers’  stories really resonate with me. 

For example, one student from Brazil wrote to us and told us that she didn’t have enough resources to afford submission fees at film festivals, and in Brazil, there are very few film festivals that showcase student work. SWIFF gave her the opportunity to submit her work, and it really helped her take the next step in her filmmaking career, sharing her story with a broader world.

My Judaism inspires me to do this work as a way of practicing tikkun olam, repairing the world. While there are so many different ways we can make the world a better place, for me, serving others through the arts just makes sense. Hillel’s support, community, and dedication to all kinds of tikkun olam make me proud to be a Hillel International scholarship recipient, and I look forward to continuing to share stories, and promote healing and respect across the world.  

Read about more inspiring Hillel International scholarship students like Oscar Seltzer, a Dartmouth student who carries his grandfather’s name and legacy with him as he pursues his education. 

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Hillel International Scholarships

Jewish History

Jewish Identity

Carrying a Family Name and Legacy – and Building a New Future

Author

Oscar Seltzer

Date

November 26, 2024

Editor’s note: An aspect of the Thanksgiving story that strongly resonates with many people in the Jewish community is the experience of immigrants trying to create a home in a new place. This Thanksgiving, we spoke to a student whose story shows the lasting impact of seeking a new home and a new future.

I never met my grandfather, but he’s always with me.

I mean that literally — I’m named for him, and I carry that name with me everywhere I go. But I also feel his legacy in everything I do, because his choices and his bravery made it possible for me to live the life I have today.

My great-grandparents, my grandfather Oscar’s parents, fled pogroms in Ukraine in the early 20th century. They came to the Americas, looking for a safe place to raise their Jewish family. At that time, because of quotas on Jewish immigrants, they were only able to enter Argentina, Cuba, or Mexico. They ended up in Mexico City, where my grandfather was born. 

As a teenager, my grandfather left Mexico to make a new life in the United States. When my dad tells the story, he always shares that my grandfather’s only belongings when he entered the country were the watch he got for his bar mitzvah, the clothes on his back, and one stick of salami. Once he arrived in the United States, he found a lawyer who was willing to trade his services for my grandfather’s one valuable possession: his bar mitzvah watch. So he gave it to the lawyer, and the lawyer helped him get his citizenship.

That watch became a symbol in our family, and ended up starting a tradition. My father received a watch for his bar mitzvah, and eventually, so did I. In fact, the one I received has my grandfather’s original watch band, which he was allowed to keep, and the watch face is the one he eventually replaced for himself almost 70 years ago. I wore it proudly at my bar mitzvah, along with my grandfather’s tzitzit, a ritual garment. That day is still one of my most powerful memories: I was reading the Torah, wearing my grandfather’s watch and tzitzit, and bearing his name. It was like he was there in the room with me, watching his legacy take shape. 

When I finished reading the Torah portion, I hugged my dad, and cried at that feeling of connection. That moment opened my eyes to the element of my Jewish identity that I treasure the most: no matter how tough any day gets, thanks to the sacrifices of my great-grandparents and my grandfather Oscar, I have a deep connection to a Jewish community that has my back, no matter what.

My grandfather died when my dad was in his early twenties, but I don’t think he could have imagined the life I live today. He never went to college, though my father did. Today, my sister attends Harvard University, and I’m studying mathematical data, science, and economics modified with computer science at Dartmouth College. 

Jewish student life at Dartmouth is amazing, with a large Hillel community and so much programming that’s available to Jewish students. One of my favorite things to do is to stop by the Hillel offices to talk to Rabbi Seth, the Hillel director — he’s a great resource, but also just asks such wonderful questions. I love the way he makes me think about Judaism and life.

 As a Hillel scholarship recipient, I feel a sense of gratitude to the organization — and knowing that Hillel is part of what makes my life at Dartmouth possible makes me feel like I really have the support of the Jewish community, like they came together to help me achieve my dreams.

When I think about my grandfather today, I sometimes wonder what he would think of his legacy. Not just what he built, through his own successful businesses, or what my dad built through his career, but what my sister and I are building through our education and our commitment to Jewish life. 

If I could talk to him today, I’d ask if he was proud of me. I think he would be. I’m certainly proud of him — and even prouder to carry his name, each and every day.

Oscar is a 2024 recipient of the Lilly E. Reiser Undergraduate Student Award, which awards eight incoming college students with up to $10,000 for every year for their undergraduate degree up to four years. Find out more about Hillel International scholarships today.

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News

Inspired by Family’s Legacy, Hillel International Scholarship Recipient Advocates for “World Free from Hatred”

Author

Hillel International

Date

August 27, 2024

This year, Hillel International is awarding more than $100,000 in scholarships to college students to ensure that a college education — and the Hillel experience — is accessible to as many young adults as possible, regardless of their financial means. Scholarship recipients have demonstrated leadership, entrepreneurship, and/or volunteerism in their local or campus community, and have plans to continue making an impact throughout their college career.

Salima Zeira, recipient of the Jules and Gwen Knapp First Generation Student Award 2024, knows all about the power of a strong, devoted Jewish community. That’s why she’s determined to take everything she’s learned about Jewish history, Jewish resilience, and Jewish determination and put it into her college experience.

“I try to align my work on campus with Hillel’s mission of fostering Jewish identity, building community, and promoting social justice,” she said. “Ultimately, I will always fight for every person’s right to be heard and respected. It is through empathy and compassion that we can combat hate and build a more inclusive society.

For Salima’s family, that right has been hard-won. Her family is originally from across the Middle East, with roots in Egypt, Turkey, and Iraq. Her grandmother, for whom Salima is named, was married at the age of ten, and had her first child at age 13. “Her full name was Salima Shulamit, but they had to disguise her name because she was Jewish,” Salima said. 

Her grandparents were persecuted in Iraq for being Jewish, and later fled to Israel. “They had to escape with nothing on their backs, or they were going to be hanged,” she said. 

Overcoming Obstacles – And Giving Back

Even after settling in Israel, the family still had tragedies to overcome. Salima’s uncle, Sami Zeira — known to his family as Nissim — was killed in the Six Day War at the age of 19. Though Salima never met him, his story and memory were passed down to her as a reminder of his courage and sacrifice. 

Salima’s mother, the youngest of her grandparents’ 15 children, was born in Israel, but later moved to the United States. Salima was raised in a single-parent household in a diverse Jewish community in Miami. Though she yearned for a father, she filled her heart with connections to her community, from dance to music to athletics.

Still, Salima’s journey to college was anything but easy. During Salima’s sophomore year of high school, her mother was hospitalized with COVID-19 for two months and nearly died. 

“I prayed every day and night that she would be okay, and thankfully Hashem (God) had other plans for her,” she said. 

Her mother recovered, but the experience taught Salima to be resilient and determined — lessons she’s kept to this day.  She also has prioritized giving back to her community.  As a high school student, she got involved with the Jewish Education Center and Young Musicians Unite, two causes close to her heart, and helped set up fundraisers for both organizations. She also interned at a law firm, where she learned real-world skills that she’s been able to apply as a college student. 

“College represents more than just an opportunity for academic advancement; it’s a chance to break the cycle of poverty and create a new path for future generations,” she said. “I wanted that for other people as much as I want it for myself.”

Campus Life Changed After October 7

Ultimately, Salima chose to attend Wake Forest University, where she’s now studying politics and international affairs, with minors in Jewish studies, music, and dance. While going to school in a different state was intimidating, she fell in love with the campus, and quickly made friends and established a community. She joined the university symphony as a violinist, board member, and social media manager, and sought to establish a Spanish academic sorority on campus, Chi Upsilon Sigma, of which she is an academic chair. 

But as a first-year Jewish student on campus, her experience changed completely on October 7. Two of her cousins were killed by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival, along with one of their fiancées. 

“I don’t really think I’ve even been able to grieve completely,” Salima said. “It’s been traumatic.” 

Since the war began, Salima lost two more friends in Israel. She also lost the sense of safety and community she felt on campus. 

“The silence on campus from my non-Jewish friends was so loud,” she said. “I was anxious all the time, to the point where I was shaking in class and needed to step out because I was crying or having a panic attack. The only support I got was from my Jewish friends.”

Like many other Jewish campus communities,  Jewish students at Wake Forest rallied together. When encampments and anti-Israel protests enveloped her campus, Salima helped organize tabling for the hostages, offered support for other Jewish students, and reported antisemitic incidents to Hillel International and the Anti-Defamation League. She met frequently with the university administration to demand a stronger response in defense of Jewish students, and refused to back down when facing critics.

“I will never apologize for being Jewish,” she said. 

Moments of Joy Amid Darkness

Even amid a year of grief and darkness, there were moments of delight. Salima had the opportunity to perform with Saul Drier, a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor and drummer. After the performance, Drier shared his story about how his entire family was killed, but he persevered. “His testimony of survival amid that unimaginable loss reinforced my commitment to my heritage, but also my commitment to telling the stories of survivors,” she said. “​​I am truly so grateful for all the moments I get with Holocaust survivors, because it is priceless. And we need to keep their testimonies alive.”

When Salima reflects on what the First-Generation Student Award means to her, she thinks immediately of her grandmother. “Her name embodies the strength and resilience that have been passed down through generations,” she said. 

She is proud of her Middle Eastern and Hispanic Jewish heritage — after all, her history has made her who she is today. “My family’s legacy inspires me every day to carry forward their courage and fight for a world free from hatred and determination. I feel a deep sense of responsibility in this new chapter, and so much gratitude for everyone who came before me,” she said.

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Hillel International Scholarships

Louie Rabinowitz Creates “Dreams Come True” for Jewish College Students

Author

Hillel International

Date

August 23, 2024

Access to a warm, welcoming, supportive Jewish community on a college campus has never been more important than it is today. Yet, the price tag of a degree has skyrocketed. According to recent data, the average annual cost for tuition and fees is $36,400. That’s roughly $146,000 over the course of four years. And that doesn’t cover all-in expenses such as for food, supplies, transportation, and more. 

Frequently, higher education students and their families face financial barriers or underestimate these expenses. While many colleges and universities are unable to designate financial assistance specifically for Jewish students, Hillel International helps donors create scholarships from current gifts and estate plans, making college financially possible for many Jewish students. These gifts often create (named) endowment funds, providing scholarship resources in perpetuity. 

Louis E. Rabinowitz (“Louie”), who passed away in December 2023, connected with Hillel campuses in his beloved South Carolina, and had a deep understanding of the challenges facing the Jewish student population. Louie worked closely with Hillel International to create scholarships that would help future generations of Jewish students attend college, seamlessly incorporating them into his estate plan.  His three named endowment funds will support tuition for Jewish students attending The Citadel (Louie’s alma mater), Clemson University, and the University of South Carolina.

Born and raised in South Carolina, Louie grew up proud of his Jewish faith and his small-town roots in Beaufort, South Carolina, where his family contributed to the founding of Beth Israel Synagogue in 1908. Louie proudly clung to his Jewish roots at military school as a teenager, and while achieving distinction at The Citadel and beyond. 

His wife, Sarah Rabinowitz, recalled how her husband often showed his faith on his lapel with a pin of the Israeli and American flags. She said he often ended conversations with the phrase, “You do well,” and had a reputation for being kind-hearted and generous.

That generosity was evident in his desire to help Jewish college students.

“Louie wanted to explore ways to open doors and make college more accessible to Jewish students across South Carolina,” said Charles Miller, JD, AEP®, Hillel International’s senior director of planned giving, who works closely with generous donors like Louie to create scholarship endowments for undergraduate and graduate students.  

During their conversations, Louie shared with Miller the joy of knowing his philanthropic vision would come true, saying his heart was full. “It’s wonderful knowing that the blessings of my lifetime will create dreams come true for aspiring Jewish college students,” Louie said at the time.

Future generations of Louis E. Rabinowitz Scholars will have an opportunity to “do well,” due to the tuition assistance from a Hillel International scholarship.  These scholarships provide the means for students to make a meaningful impact on the future of the Jewish people and the world while they grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually. By creating his legacy gift at Hillel, Louie’s Jewish values will continue l’dor v’dor — from generation to generation.

Learn more about Hillel International’s past and present scholarship recipients here. 

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News

Hillel International Announces 2024 Student Leadership Scholarship Recipients

Author

Hillel International

Date

August 16, 2024

Nearly two dozen Jewish High School, Undergraduate and Graduate Students from Across the Country Honored for Their Leadership

WASHINGTON, DC– Hillel International, the world’s largest Jewish campus organization, announced it has selected 22 young leaders across North America to receive scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year. These scholarships recognize Jewish students for their exemplary leadership, academic achievements, volunteerism, and commitment to their communities.

Since 2019, Hillel has increased its annual scholarship program for Jewish students by more than $100,000, and a record-high number of students receiving financial assistance each year. This significant increase in Hillel student scholarships has come on the heels of rising antisemitism on college campuses, as well as rising tuition costs.

In addition to previous years’ Jules and Gwen Knapp awards, Hillel has added the Lilly E. Reiser, Jordan and Elise Levin, and Paulson Leadership awards. The scholarships range from $3,000 to $10,000 and are awarded to a wide array of students, from incoming college first-years to graduate students. The majority of Hillel scholarships are renewable annually until the student graduates.

“Hillel is proud to support Jewish student leaders across the country,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman, “Their strength over the past year can not be overstated and we are honored to award these individuals for their unwavering leadership.”

Since 2019, Hillel has prioritized supporting Jewish students through its rapidly growing scholarship program. This year’s announcement reinforces the organization’s continued commitment to fostering safe spaces for Jewish students on campus and rewarding those at the forefront of Jewish student leadership.

A list of this year’s recipients can be found below:

Lilly E. Reiser Graduate Student Award
• David Pernick, Stony Brook University

Lilly E. Reiser Undergraduate Student Scholarship
• Adam Elitzur, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Neria Spence, Swarthmore College
• Oscar Seltzer, Dartmouth College
• Paula Fishman, University of Michigan
• Samantha Zack, University of Rochester
• Samuel Sievers, University of Maryland
• Evin Schwartz, Barnard College
• Benjamin Kagan, Rice University

Jordan and Elise Levin Scholarship for Jewish Enrichment and Education
• Mark Leschinsky, Stanford University
• Maxwell Dell, University of Ottawa
• Barry Mantell, Queens College

Jules and Gwen Knapp Campus Leadership Award
• Tom Dubnov, Princeton University

Jules and Gwen Knapp First-Generation Student Award
• Salima Zeira, Wake Forest University

Paulson Leadership Award for Jewish CUNY Students
• Daniel German, The City College of New York
• Itai Lavie, Hunter College
• Rechuma Hafter, Hunter College
• Aviel Seltzer, Queens College
• Perla Dahan, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Ruben Saror, Hunter College
• Uriel Alpin, The City College of New York
• Moshe Janani, Brooklyn College

For anyone looking to learn more about contributing to Hillel International’s scholarship efforts, please contact our senior director of planned giving, Charles M. Miller, JD, AEP® at cmiller@hillel.org or 202.449.6529. 

• Scholarships can be created at an alma mater or other college of donor’s choice
• Donors can designate scholarship gifts for immediate use or a permanent (named) endowment fund
• An estate gift can establish a (named) scholarship fund.

Read more about our scholarship recipients here.

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Hillel International Scholarships

Jewish Identity

Honoring the Generations that Came Before Us

Author

Uriel Alpin and Liora Knizhnik

Date

February 23, 2024

As the first member of my family to be born in the United States, I think a lot about my family’s legacy and my connection to the generations that came before me.

This shows up in a lot of ways, but most prominently when I think about my education, and the way I connect with my Jewish identity. 

Honoring my family’s legacy

Growing up, I had the opportunity to attend a private Jewish day school, where I pursued a general and Jewish education. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents during those years. My grandfather drove me to school before heading to his delivery job, and my grandparents attended concerts, cheered me on during swim meets, and even helped me with my Hebrew homework, memorizing words they didn’t know to help me study. They were there to celebrate any achievement, big or small, beaming with pride.

It wasn’t until I was a little older that I understood just why my parents and grandparents cared so deeply about my education. Many immigrants face a loss of professional identity when they enter the United States, including my grandparents, who moved to this country with their families from different areas of the former Soviet Union. Even though my grandparents were highly accomplished in their fields, the language and cultural barriers they encountered meant they could never pursue their professional passions in the U.S. Instead, they focused on setting up their children for success. 

I can’t begin to imagine where I’d be without the sacrifices the people before me have made. It’s because of their hard work that I’ve been able to have so many educational opportunities, from the school I attended growing up to the gap year I spent in Israel. It is because of their tireless dedication to building a better future that I’ve inherited their grit and perseverance along with deeply held values of education, career, and connection to Judaism.

Connecting with my Jewish identity

But it’s not just my parents and grandparents whose legacy and sacrifices I want to honor with my education and career. During my gap year, I took a trip to Poland to visit sites that are important to Jewish and Holocaust history. I had heard many accounts about how intense those trips can be, and everyone who told me it would be a transformative experience was right. I was educated about the Holocaust from a young age, but the feeling of standing on the ground where those events really happened is impossible to put into words.

On the second day of our trip, we visited the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva, once a powerhouse of Jewish study. The Yeshiva was shuttered and destroyed by the Nazis during their occupation of Poland, and while it now stands as a hotel, it has never operated as a Yeshiva again. 

My group was staying in that hotel over Shabbat, along with students from another school. Kabbalat Shabbat, the Friday night service welcoming Shabbat, began as I found my seat in the packed synagogue. The music reverberated around the room to an almost deafening degree. As we got to Lecha Dodi, the central prayer of the Kabbalat Shabbat service, people began to stand and dance together. The dance shook the floor and ceiling. 

During WWII, the Nazis attempted to destroy this building for being a source of Judaism, and it was now once again full of it. I could imagine the same event taking place in this very spot, less than a century ago. At that moment I was not only proud to be Jewish, but deeply connected to Jews of the past.

In the face of all the adversity our people have experienced, we persevered. Nothing can destroy our joy and celebration of our culture and heritage, or our resilience. Just like I honor my parents and grandparents, I study and work to honor the legacy of the Jews who came before me.

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Hillel International Scholarships

Paulson Leadership Award

Cracking the Leadership Code on Campus

Author

Perla Dahan and Liora Knizhnik

Date

January 18, 2024

Perla Dahan (’26) is a recipient of the Paulson Leadership Award for Jewish students at the City University of New York (CUNY), a Hillel International scholarship for students attending CUNY colleges and universities served by Hillel. For more information or to explore other Hillel International scholarships, click here.

My passion for learning has been a driving force in my life. I’ve always been fascinated by books, and eager to explore new and diverse subjects. As a first generation student, college isn’t just a path to a degree, but an opportunity for me to redefine my family’s narrative and provide a foundation of support for those who come after me. It represents the realization of a lifelong dream for me — to pursue my unwavering love for learning.

At John Jay College of Criminal Justice, my curiosity has flourished, allowing me to delve deeper into the subjects I’m passionate about. College has been an opportunity for me to experience transformation and empowerment, and I’ve worked to pay that forward by bringing empowerment to others. 

As a Computer Science and Information Systems major, I quickly saw that there was a serious gender imbalance in my classes. Reflecting on the gender disparity in the tech industry and my own love for coding, I felt inspired to create a Girls Who Code club, where women could explore computer science and technology in a supportive environment. 

Our Girls Who Code club has had a huge impact, on campus and off. Many members joined without coding experience, but within our club, they learned, practiced, and thrived. We also reached out to local high schools to organize coding workshops and mentoring sessions for young girls in our community, and participated in local events where we showcased the talents and potential of female programmers.

Being part of this community has been transformative — and so has my Jewish community on campus. I still remember the moment I was approached by a fellow student on campus who asked me a simple, yet profound question: “Are you Jewish?” 

This student felt safe approaching me — someone she’d never met — just because of our shared Jewish heritage. In that moment, I felt a surge of pride in my Jewish identity. I not only felt proud of who I was but also of the inclusive atmosphere I had fostered through my leadership and empowerment of others.

This inspiring Jewish moment reinforced the importance of proudly embracing our heritage and identity, even in the face of adversity — whether it’s empowering diversity in STEM or being loudly, proudly Jewish on campus amidst rising antisemitism.

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