News

Finding Harmony: How Kaskeset and Hillel Empower Jewish Students to Sing Through Challenge and Change

Author

Rachel Miller

Date

July 10, 2025

For Jordi, a recent Binghamton University graduate, Kaskeset  – the school’s only Jewish a cappella group – wasn’t just a place to sing. She spent time there learning to lead, to laugh, to reflect. Perhaps most importantly, with Kaskeset she was able to be unapologetically herself. “I can show off my Jewish pride without being ashamed,” she said. “In this group, I could just be me.”

A Modern Orthodox upbringing and five summers at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires shaped Jordi’s early Jewish identity. But it was at Binghamton University, through Hillel and Kaskeset, that she found the space to take ownership of it. After leaving a university a cappella group following the events of October 7, 2023, Jordi found refuge and empowerment in Kaskeset, which is supported by Hillel.

“Auditioning for Kaskeset was the best decision I made,” she shared. “To me, Kaskeset is community. It’s healing. It’s leadership. It’s everything.”

Student Mya Malsan’s journey to Kaskeset began even earlier, in childhood choirs and Jewish day school. After graduating from a small K–8 Jewish day school and entering a public high school with no Jewish community to speak of, Mya longed for the connection she had once known. At Binghamton, she found it in Kaskeset and Hillel.

“Everyone comes from different backgrounds and majors, but we’re all tied together through celebrating Judaism,” she said. “Music is culture, it’s memory, and it’s something that always brings us back to ourselves.”

Both Mya and Jordi lit up as they discussed the powerful emotions they feel when singing a Hebrew prayer passed down through generations. As Mya put it: “Sometimes I think, maybe my great-grandmother sang this same song. That’s so powerful.”

To students like Jordi and Mya, Kaskeset is more than an a cappella group; it’s a sacred space where Jewish students process, create, and celebrate their identity through music.

A Global Chorus of Support

Kaskeset’s story is not an isolated one. Across the globe, Hillel International supports hundreds of student-led communities like Kaskeset. Places where Jewish young adults lean into tradition and tell their stories through art, music, prayer, and learning.

“Hillel is what makes this all possible,” Jordi said. “Hillel welcomed me when I committed to Binghamton. They’re the ones who said, ‘Yes, go for it’ when I pitched a graphic design project or wanted to plan a Rosh Chodesh event with journaling and art.”

A New Soundtrack for a New Generation

Now Kaskeset is preparing to release their first EP since before the pandemic, a project born out of resilience, joy, and the deep bonds formed over late-night rehearsals and shared visions.

The album, produced by recording engineer and producer Nicky Brenner and featuring songs in both Hebrew and English, will include beloved Jewish pieces like “Oseh Shalom” as well as contemporary favorites like Lizzy McAlpine’s “Ceilings” and One Direction’s “Drag Me Down.” Mya, who solos on “Ceilings,” said it’s been one of her most exciting college experiences. “It’s such a beautiful way to capture this moment in time with people I really love and admire,” she reflected.

For Jordi, who helped spearhead the idea, it’s more than just a collection of songs. It’s a time capsule of Jewish joy, pride, and togetherness in an era when such things feel more precious than ever. 

Check out Kaskeset’s music on Spotify:

Singing Toward Tomorrow

Spaces like Kaskeset and Hillel offer Jewish students a story of healing, harmony, and hope. “Judaism and music are both about evolving,” Jordi said. “They ask us to reflect, to grow, to build community. That’s what I’ve found here through Hillel at Binghamton.”

This group of students sings through the uncertain rhythms of college life and the steady beats of ancient tradition. They sing in Hebrew and English, using new harmonies and old melodies. They draw strength from one another and raise their voices in a declaration that Jewish life is vibrant, multifaceted, and alive on campus. 

The post Finding Harmony: How Kaskeset and Hillel Empower Jewish Students to Sing Through Challenge and Change appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Learning Leadership From History and Each Other: The Matanel Fellowship

Author

Gilad Schonberger

Date

July 3, 2025

Gilad Schonberger is a second-year industrial engineering and management student at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. This year, Gilad is participating in the inaugural cohort of the Matanel Fellowship, a fellowship spearheaded by Hillel Israel, in partnership with Hillel International and the Matanel Foundation.

As a participant in the Matanel Fellowship through Hillel Israel this year, I have the opportunity to meet Hillel student leaders from around the world. Over the course of this year, I have been engaged with the beauty and complexity of pluralistic Judaism with the goal of leaving inspired and equipped with a renewed sense of purpose for addressing the most pressing challenges facing the global Jewish community today.

Recently, we traveled to Budapest to spend Shabbat together and reflect on both the year behind us and how we want to move forward. It was one of the most eye-opening journeys I’ve ever experienced. In times like these, it can be easy to forget what binds us together, to focus more on what divides us than on what unites us. But this program reminded me that connection, not division, is at the heart of our story. And it’s these moments of connection that are the true soul of the Jewish people.

Here are a few of the treasures I carried home from this fellowship, particularly from the time we spent together in Budapest.

I learned that unity is not about sameness. It’s about harmony.

Pluralism doesn’t require us to erase our differences. It invites us to let those differences resonate. Like the magnificent choir we heard at the Dohany Street Synagogue, where many voices joined in one song, the beauty wasn’t in uniformity; it was in harmony. We prayed, ate, and blessed together, each in our own way, without compromising our individuality. That sense of belonging without assimilation, created a powerful community. 

I realized that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions.

I came to Budapest thinking that in order to lead, you needed clarity. But I left knowing that the best leaders are those willing to step into uncertainty. They ask honest, vulnerable, and sometimes unanswerable questions. When I had the honour of preparing a d’var Torah for our Shabbat dinner, I chose to center it around a question: “Why did God choose to give us the Torah in the desert?”

I didn’t offer a clear answer. The point was the question itself – an invitation to engage, to journey, to return to the wilderness year after year, wherever we are. Because it’s not about certainty. It’s about showing up willing to ask the important questions.

In addition, I learned that when you lead with vulnerability, you create authentic community.

At the JCC in Budapest, we met people who embody resilience and warmth. Marcel Kenesei, the center’s director, spoke to us about the challenges of building and maintaining Jewish life in a place with a complicated history. “It’s not just about bringing people through the doors,” he said. “It’s about making them stay. Making them feel like they belong to something larger than themselves”. Marcel showed me that real leadership doesn’t begin with charisma or credentials. It begins with honesty, with the courage to show up as a whole person. 

And perhaps it’s no coincidence that all of this happened in Budapest, a city whose Jewish story is both visible and hidden, layered with memory and meaning. From the beauty of its synagogues to the subtle marks of history in its streets, Budapest is a place where the past whispers through the present. Choosing this city as the setting for a gathering on Jewish identity and leadership was itself a statement: that Jewish life is meaningful not only in currently thriving centers, but also in places where it once struggled to survive and is now being rebuilt. That context gave our conversations added depth, reminding us that our work as young leaders is part of a long and fragile chain of resilience and renewal.

This fellowship isn’t just a moment. It is a mirror. It reflects back the kind of leader I want to be, the kind of community I want to help build, and the kind of Jewish future I want to be a part of.

Thank you, Matanel and Hillel, for helping me remember who we are and what we can become when we work together.

The post Learning Leadership From History and Each Other: The Matanel Fellowship appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Breaking Silos, Building Bridges: The Power and Promise of Multifaith Work

Author

Michael Pollak

Date

July 1, 2025

In a time when division often dominates headlines, the quiet, steady work of building bridges across lines of faith, culture, and identity has never been more essential. At Kent State University, this past year reminded us of how deeply impactful multifaith and intercultural engagement can be, not just in theory, but in the tangible relationships it sparks, the trust it builds, and the future it reshapes.

At its core, multifaith work isn’t about erasing differences, it’s about embracing them. It’s about creating spaces where people show up not as representatives of their group, but as whole humans willing to learn, listen, and lead together. This philosophy was the driving force behind two transformative events we hosted this year at Kent State Hillel: the Student Leaders’ Unity Dinner and Faith Fest. Each represented a distinct approach to community-building and the impact has been nothing short of inspiring.

Unity Dinner: A Seat at the Table for Every Voice

Held on February 27, 2025 and later recognized as Kent State’s “Program of the Year”, the Student Leaders’ Unity Dinner brought over 35 student leaders representing everything from Greek life and political clubs to Black student organizations, LGBTQ+ groups, and academic societies into Hillel’s building for an evening of intentional connection. Behind the scenes, this dinner was a year in the making, carried forward by the dedication of Hillel staff, Hillel’s multifaith interns, and Kent State’s campus partner fellows (sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland).

Over a shared meal, student leaders participated in guided conversations and networking activities designed to break down silos and foster mutual understanding. A powerful keynote from Dr. Eboni Pringle, Kent State’s senior vice president of student life, grounded the evening in a message of empathy and leadership. 

The impact of the evening was seen immediately and has been sustained through the rest of the academic year. Hannah Sietz, rising third-year student, said, “The Student Leaders Dinner reminded me of the power of meaningful connection. I left feeling inspired by the conversations and excited for the future relationships and collaborations that will continue to build a stronger, more united campus community.”

Several student groups who had previously been hesitant to collaborate with Hillel are now attending programs, resharing Hillel’s content, and planning joint events. Many leaders expressed strong interest in upcoming workshops on antisemitism and Jewish allyship, with follow-up meetings already taking place. The dinner didn’t just create a moment, it sparked a movement of trust, collaboration, and shared purpose across campus.

Faith Fest: Multifaith Work in Action

Two months later, on April 27, 2025, Hillel collaborated with five other religious and cultural student organizations, all members of Kent’s Campus Religious Life Association, to host Faith Fest, a joyful, interactive multi-faith celebration that drew around 100 students.

With booths representing diverse traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, and other world views students engaged in fun, educational experiences at each station. Kosher food, lawn games, and relaxed hangout areas created a welcoming environment, while deeper conversations were sparked throughout the afternoon between students and faith leaders, including Hillel’s Rabbi Michael Ross.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Students stayed longer than expected, asked thoughtful questions, and voiced excitement about seeing faith celebrated in such an open, collaborative way. Josh Goldfarb, a third-year psychology student shared, “Faith Fest was tons of fun… After the event and seeing its success, I’ve been interested in the Multifaith student internship that put the event together.” 

Advisors and campus ministers alike expressed appreciation for the space to connect across traditions. Plans are already underway to make this an annual event, and with the relationships now in place, we’re dreaming even bigger for next year.

Reflections and the Road Ahead

These events didn’t just succeed because of careful planning or good intentions. They succeeded because they were built on relationships. When we lead with curiosity and share our stories while honoring others’, we open the door to transformative possibilities.

The multifaith and intercultural connections we nurtured this year have already begun to bear fruit: new collaborations, new friendships, and new programs. Our social media reach has expanded through partners resharing our content. Student leaders are now actively working with us on projects that matter such as antisemitism education,shared Shabbat dinners, and campus dialogues. One of the groups that we partnered with is working with our students to create an Israeli Dead Sea Spa night to learn more about Israel and the Jewish faith. 

If you’re a Jewish college student or a Hillel staff member wondering whether to get involved in multi-faith work, take the first step and get started. It will stretch you, challenge you, and ultimately strengthen you. Because when you help build a campus where everyone belongs, you’re not just changing the university, you’re shaping the world.

Michael Pollak is the outgoing assistant director at Kent State Hillel and the new assistant director at Rochester Hillel. His passion for multifaith work has inspired relationships and programs across multiple faith communities. 

These programs are supported by Hillel International training and grants. Contact impact@hillel.org to learn more.

The post Breaking Silos, Building Bridges: The Power and Promise of Multifaith Work appeared first on Hillel International.

News

From Hillel Dinners to Gourmet Cooking: Nicolai Mlodinow’s Class Act Journey

Author

Hillel International

Date

June 23, 2025

Born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Pasadena, Nicolai Mlodinow grew up in a food-centered family. Both his parents cooked, and they encouraged Mlodinow to learn to make both sweet and savory foods for himself. By the time he got to college at San Diego State University, Mlodinow preferred cooking at home to going out to eat, but it wasn’t until his sophomore year that cooking for others became a central part of his life. 

“I was living in an apartment on campus, and one of my roommates smelled what I was cooking,” Mlodinow recalled. “He was like, ‘What if I just gave you a swipe of my food hall money, and you made some for me?’”

That roommate dinner turned into a campus sensation. Mlodinow began regularly hosting dinner parties in his apartment — not just cooking for friends, but often sharing meals with people he’d never met before. 

Stories about Mlodinow’s cooking spread through campus, all the way over to SDSU Hillel, where Mlodinow had been involved since his first year, attending programs and Shabbat dinners. So when Hillel reached out to ask him if he’d consider cooking a Shabbat dinner for the community, he embraced the challenge.

Pulling from his experience growing up eating multicultural food in South Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, which has the largest Chinese population outside of China, Mlodinow designed a Chinese-Ashkenazi-Jewish fusion menu. Offerings included egg drop matzah ball soup and red boiled chicken, a traditional Chinese preparation that Mlodinow tweaked with Israeli seasonings and spices.

“I grew up going to places where no one spoke English, so when we ordered food we would just point to what we wanted — and it was awesome, because that’s how you actually learn someone else’s flavors, their spirit, their culture, because there’s no other form of communication,” he said. “And I thought that fit so well with Hillel’s mission of bringing people together from all walks of life.”

The first dinner was a huge success, and started Mlodinow on a new stage of his culinary journey. He ended up running Hillel Shabbat dinners every other week throughout the rest of his college career, and when he graduated and went into marketing, he missed those Shabbat dinners so much that he went back to hosting dinner parties in his apartment — a tiny studio in Chicago. 

“I would invite some friends over and cook them this giant meal with 50 different inspirations,” he said. “It was so much fun. And then one day, one of them came up to me and said, ‘Hey, you’re clearly really passionate about this. You’re clearly working very hard at this. If you ever decide you really want to be a professional chef, let me know.”

Mlodinow took him up on his offer, and embarked on a culinary journey that would take him through internships, kitchen stints, and learning experiences at six Michelin-starred restaurants, including Temporis, where he trained under chef Troy Jorge.

“He really mentored me,” Mlodinow said. “He took a chance on me. I wasn’t expecting someone to care that much.”

Mlodinow had kept up his day job while building his skills in and out of different professional kitchens, starting up a healthcare tech company. But two and a half years ago, Mlodinow took his culinary ventures full-time, partnering with Shreena, a foodie and tech entrepreneur who became central to helping create and actualize Mlodinow’s restaurant concept, Class Act.

“The opening menu is a 13-course tasting menu around the theme of growing up,” Mlodinow explained. “It’s fine dining, avant garde-style cuisine, but based around extremely nostalgic foods I had growing up.”

Cooking for Hillel is part of that nostalgia. 

“Dinners for Shabbat are always family-style, right?” he said. “We’re literally breaking bread, passing things around together, and connecting through food. It’s the idea that food is a language that I can use to explain my culture, my values, and beliefs to someone else — they don’t have to be Jewish, or have any idea about our food, to experience it and come away feeling like you speak my language.”

“It’s a form of communication,” he added. “And it’s a beautiful one, because everyone universally understands it, as soon as they’re born.”

Class Act’s brick-and-mortar location is slated to open this summer in Bucktown, a vibrant neighborhood north of downtown Chicago — quite a journey from Mlodinow’s college apartment. He’s had to give up a lot to make his career bloom, from missing friends’ birthday parties to having to ask his brother to hold his wedding on a Tuesday so he could attend, but as far as Mlodinow’s concerned, it’s all been worth it. 

Asked what advice he’d give today’s Hillel students thinking of taking a similar path, Mlodinow’s answer is simple: 

“What Hillel really taught me, and what’s now the entire core of my restaurant, is that food can be more than just something that tastes good,” Mlodinow told Hillel International. “It’s a form of communication, and connection. If you’re in the thick of it, remember why you started. And if you’re just starting, let your passion lead the way. You can worry about the other things later.”

The post From Hillel Dinners to Gourmet Cooking: Nicolai Mlodinow’s Class Act Journey appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Hillel Wellness Grants Send “Ripples of Resilience” Across College Campuses

Author

Hillel International

Date

May 30, 2025

Hillel’s work has always been about more than just welcoming students — it’s about nurturing communities of belonging that help Jewish students flourish. On campuses worldwide, Hillel empowers staff and students alike to lead with care rooted in Jewish wisdom.

That’s the spirit behind the “Ripples of Resilience,” a wellness grant initiative that supports Hillels in creating experiences that reflect the depth, care, and richness of Jewish life. These initiatives center student well-being and help students feel proud to show up in Jewish communities, especially in the face of rising antisemitism and broader campus stressors.

These Hillel experiences celebrate what’s possible when Jewish wisdom, modern well-being, and intentional design come together. From cozy communal spaces to Hillel-cooked comfort foods, the impact has been extraordinary. As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, Hillel International is proud to share that these efforts reached nearly 18,000 students across 65 campuses — and every single grantee (100%!) reported that their project helped students feel that Hillel is a place that supports their well-being.

Here’s a glimpse of how these “ripples” are transforming campus life.

Creating Space to Breathe

When things feel tough, having a safe space to relax and regroup can make all the difference for students looking to regain a sense of calm. At Virginia Tech, Hillel transformed a space in the Malcolm Rosenberg Center into a dedicated wellness lounge, stocked with sensory tools and calming activities. On the anniversary of October 7, three students arrived feeling overwhelmed and anxious. They stayed for hours — coloring, resting, and resetting. “I couldn’t have gotten through today without [this space],” one student shared.

Hillel leaders at the University at Albany Hillel created a tranquil oasis within the bustling student center. “Students were amazed by how the room had been completely transformed,” said Executive Director Rabbi Nomi Manon. “Even those with no prior connection to Hillel felt like the space was ‘for them’ and wanted to be a part of it. Time and again, we heard how much people appreciated the calm it offered in the midst of a chaotic day.”

Nourishing Connection through Jewish Comfort Food

Jewish food is more than delicious; it offers rituals of memory and meaning. On campus, it also serves as a powerful tool for care and connection. This year, Hillel at Baruch College hosted 78 students for a community “Pink Challah Bake,” in partnership with Sharsheret, that brought together students from diverse backgrounds and fostered a sense of connection and belonging. 

“This was my first time making challah, and my mom loved it,” said one of the participants. “When I told her about its meaning, she said we could start making it together regularly. This may have been my first time, but it won’t be my last!”

On the West Coast, Jewish students at San Diego State University Hillel, found comfort in the form of matzo ball soup. As cold and flu season swept through campus, students cooked up large batches for their peers to order, whether as a remedy, a pick-me-up, or just a taste of home.

“Whenever I was home sick, my mom would make me matzo ball soup, and it was all I could think about when I came down from a cold here,” said one student. “Ordering it from Hillel brought me more than just warmth and nourishment; it gave me a taste of home and made me realize I had found a community here in San Diego.”

Expressing Jewish Identity with Creativity and Pride

Students aren’t just looking for safety, they’re seeking places where they can shape their Jewish identities with creativity and confidence. Across campuses, Hillel empowers students to explore and express their Judaism in ways that feel personal and full of pride.

At Hillel at UCLA, students made their own mezuzot, the small boxes containing parchment scrolls with verses of Torah, traditionally affixed to the right doorposts in  Jewish spaces. 

“One of our students had always kept a tiny, unassuming mezuzah on her dorm doorway — the smallest one she could find on Amazon,” said Hillel at UCLA Director of Philanthropic Partnerships Rachael Petru. “Now, her mezuzah is bright, colorful, and impossible to miss. Her non-Jewish roommate’s enthusiastic support for this symbol of Jewish identity made it even more meaningful.”

Across the border at Hillel Ontario, which supports Jewish programming at nine universities in the area, Sukkot offered a time for gathering and community, with 173 students (including 34 first-time participants!) coming together in the sukkah at the University of Toronto.

“Our Sukkat Shalom programming featured gourd painting, mindfulness journaling, and crafting besamim (spices) for havdalah using etrogs, cloves, and herbs,” said Jenn Ferman, senior campus director at the University of Toronto. “The sukkah became a vibrant hub for community building and outreach.”

These stories highlight that our Hillels cultivate more than moments — they create ripples: intentional acts that offer lasting care and support. Rooted in Jewish tradition, their impact is felt long after the programs are finished. As campuses continue to face complex realities, we’re proud to invest in students’ resilience.

Learn more about Hillel’s wellness and well-being work!

The post Hillel Wellness Grants Send “Ripples of Resilience” Across College Campuses appeared first on Hillel International.

News

University of Delaware Hillel Launches a New Capital Campaign to Invest in Jewish Student Life

Author

Hillel International

Date

May 20, 2025

Over the last year and a half since October 7, 2023, campus Hillels have seen an unprecedented level of student involvement and community support. At Hillel at the University of Delaware, the community has grown so much that a campaign is underway to construct a building that will serve as an updated hub for Jewish life at the university. 

“This new facility represents a critical investment in Jewish student life at the University of Delaware (UD),” said Donna Schwartz, executive director of Hillel at UD. “As engagement in Hillel’s programs continues to grow, we need a center that can accommodate diverse activities, foster meaningful connections, and serve as a beacon of Jewish life on campus. Together, we’re ensuring a vibrant Jewish future at UD.”

The “Building the Jewish Future” capital campaign, which aims to raise $12 million, will fund a new state-of-the-art Jewish student center, and officially kicked off on May 18 at a brunch event at the Trabant University Center. The campaign has already secured $8 million in commitments, including three lead gifts of over $1 million each from Stuart and Suzanne Grant, the Kristol family, and the Book family. To accelerate funding momentum, a $500,000 challenge match has been established.

The kick-off event brought together students, alumni, university leadership, and community members to hear about the vision for the future of Jewish life at UD. At the event, Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, hosted a panel discussion with current Jewish Blue Hens who shared their experiences on campus over the last year and a half.

“We know from our work at the University of Delaware and campuses across the country just how important it is for Jewish students to have dedicated, welcoming spaces where they can fully express their identities, engage in Jewish life, and find community,” Lehman said. “This new facility will ensure that Jewish Blue Hens have an amazing place to call home for decades to come.”

“I am super excited for the opportunities this building will bring to establish an even stronger Jewish community at UD,” said Sam Auerbach, UD student.

Hillel at the University of Delaware has been enriching the lives of Jewish students and helping them grow personally and professionally since 1948. Currently, UD Hillel is housed at the Kristol Center for Jewish Life, built in 1993 and named in honor of Abe and Pearl Kristol, who were instrumental in creating that space for Jewish students at the university. The new building, which will replace the current center,will feature a large event hall for Shabbat dinner seating up to 250 students, small study rooms, lounge spaces, and even a a rooftop deck, as well as a beit midrash, a space for Torah study. 

“The new physical space will certainly impact Jewish life at UD in the years to come as it will provide a home away from home for our [Jewish] students,” said Maren Jacobs, UD student. “With the new building, there will be more space… to enjoy Shabbat dinners and club events, providing opportunities to create everlasting friendships and connections!”

UD Hillel hopes that this campaign will ensure that every one of the more than 2,000 Jewish students on campus will have a space to learn, connect, grow, and build community. Construction of the new facility is projected to begin in October, 2025, with completion expected by December, 2026.

For more information about the campaign or to donate, visit www.delawarehillelcampaign.org.

The post University of Delaware Hillel Launches a New Capital Campaign to Invest in Jewish Student Life appeared first on Hillel International.

Dear Hillel

Hillel Community

Student Stories

Dear Hillel: Finding Light When I Needed It Most

Author

Alyssa Wallack

Date

May 16, 2025

“Dear Hillel” showcases letters from graduating seniors reflecting on their experiences of joy and Jewish life with their campus Hillels. Alyssa Wallack, a fourth-year student at the University of Southern California, shares how finding her way to Hillel after the tragedy of October 7, 2023, changed her life for the better. Read Alyssa’s letter to Hillel:

Dear Hillel,

It’s no exaggeration to say that Hillel has truly changed my life. 

Before the October 7 attacks on Israel, my involvement with Hillel was minimal. I knew it existed on campus, but I hadn’t made the effort to connect. I was busy with classes, my sorority, and the usual college activities that fill our calendars. But after that day, everything shifted — both in the world and in my own life.

I was struggling. The news was devastating, and I felt alone in how much it affected me. People who I thought understood me didn’t. My sorority no longer felt like home, and I felt like I was begging people to care at a time of crisis for the Jewish community. I was craving a space where I didn’t have to explain or justify why I felt the way I did. Where I could just breathe, feel, and be understood.

Then I saw that USC Hillel was taking students to the November 2023 March for Israel in Washington, D.C. I barely knew anyone going, but something in me said, “Go.” And I did.

That trip was transformative. I was surrounded by people who just got it. No explaining, no justifying — just shared pain, pride, and purpose. On the way to the airport, I sat next to someone I’d never met before, and by the end of the ride, we were already planning to hang out back in L.A. That girl, someone who started out as a total stranger, is now one of my best friends. 

After returning to campus, I realized how much I had missed by not being involved with Hillel. I started paying attention to everything Hillel was offering through Hillel International and USC Hillel. I knew I needed to make up for lost time.

When I learned Hillel International was hiring interns, I applied immediately. Becoming a student marketing intern opened doors I never knew existed. My supervisor quickly became one of the best mentors I’ve had: supportive, understanding, and genuinely invested in my growth. Virtual coffee chats with people across different departments became a highlight of my week. Those conversations offered not just professional guidance, but also real personal connection at a time when I needed it.

I also joined the Hillel International Israel Leadership Network (ILN), which connected me with Jewish student leaders across the country. I attended the 2025 Israel Summit in Chicago, where over 500 students and allies came together for workshops and conversations that deepened my understanding of Jewish identity and advocacy. And at the Hillel International Content Creators Forum in New York City, I heard from deeply inspiring speakers, and was pushed creatively, walking away more confident in my voice and what I want to say.

But more than the events or programs, what sticks with me are the people. The friends who feel like family. The mentors who believe in me and push me to grow and learn. The moments that remind me why I’m proud to be Jewish. Through Hillel, I’ve found not just a community, but a family. When I needed it most, Hillel came as a light in the darkness. It provided a space where I could be vulnerable, ask difficult questions, and grow both as a Jewish individual and as a leader. 

Looking back, I see two versions of my college self: “before Hillel” and “after Hillel.” Before, I was going through the motions of the college experience. After, I found purpose, community, and a deeper connection to my identity.

For anyone on the fence about getting involved, don’t wait for a crisis to find your community. Hillel has been an unexpected blessing in my life, and I only wish I had opened my heart to it sooner. I’m grateful that when I needed a light, Hillel was there, arms wide open, ready to welcome me home.

The post Dear Hillel: Finding Light When I Needed It Most appeared first on Hillel International.

Dear Hillel

Hillel Community

Student Stories

Dear Hillel: Four Years of Joy and Growth

Author

Jack Landstein

Date

May 15, 2025

“Dear Hillel” showcases letters from graduating seniors reflecting on their experiences of joy and Jewish life with their campus Hillels. Jack Landstein, a graduating senior at the University of Michigan, studying economics, entrepreneurship, and Jewish studies, writes about how his four years at Michigan Hillel helped shape his college experience. Read Jack’s letter to Hillel:

Dear Hillel,

I can’t believe the welcome barbecue I attended as a first-year student in 2021 was four years ago! I came to the event eager to meet new friends and find a home at the University of Michigan. Now, as a graduating senior looking back at everything Michigan Hillel gave me, I am so grateful for the friendships I made and the home I will always have in the Jewish community here.

Reflecting on the last four years, here’s what stands out in my Hillel journey from each year:

• First year: I jumped right into Jewish life at Michigan, planning a Greek life lunch that helped build relationships between my fraternity and the Hillel community. With over 50 fraternity brothers in attendance, it was a great introduction for me and many of my friends to Hillel’s warm, welcoming space. 
• Second year: My second year on campus was marked by my first time at the annual Hillel retreat. I served as a retreat leader where I had the opportunity to introduce over 100 new students to Michigan’s Jewish life and show them how important it would be in their time on campus. A bonus highlight from my second year was a big Israel Week bash at Rick’s, the local campus bar, with all of my friends and the whole Jewish community.
• Third year: The third year of college was filled with leadership opportunities as I joined Hillel’s executive board (e-board) and worked to create positive change for the Hillel community. From making Shabbat dinner a cozier, more delicious experience (best challah in town!), to actively combating antisemitism on campus, to lifting up moments of Jewish joy whenever possible, my year on the e-board is one that I am so proud of. 
• Fourth year: This year came too fast! My involvement in Hillel grew to the national level as I became co-chair of Hillel International’s Fellowship: Ambassadors for Birthright, attended the Hillel International Israel Summit in Chicago, and actively recruited students for Birthright to help deepen their connection to Israel and their Jewish identities. Spending time with my friends this year and reflecting on the highs of Jewish joy showed me how resilience and hope can bring light to dark times.

Putting my energy and ideas into Michigan Hillel gave purpose and meaning to my four years at college. Michigan Hillel was the backbone of my Jewish experience and I am forever grateful to the community and opportunities I found there. As I look forward to my future, I am excited to see where my Jewish journey takes me next.

The post Dear Hillel: Four Years of Joy and Growth appeared first on Hillel International.

Dear Hillel

Hillel Community

Student Stories

Dear Hillel: How Hillel Found Me

Author

Shiri Gil

Date

May 14, 2025

“Dear Hillel” showcases letters from graduating seniors reflecting on their experiences of joy and Jewish life with their campus Hillels. Shiri Gil, a fourth-year student at Columbia University, studying cognitive science, shares how connecting with the global Hillel community changed the way she thought about being Jewish and Israeli on an American campus. Read Shiri’s letter to Hillel: 

Dear Hillel,

I had never heard of Hillel before coming to study at Columbia University. Growing up in Israel, it wasn’t part of my world. That changed when I arrived on campus and met Yakov, the Jewish Agency Israel fellow on our campus who introduced me to the Content Creators Forum, a Hillel International initiative that brings together digital content creators to advocate for Jewish life and confront antisemitism. Something about it instantly resonated with me. After October 7, 2023, in a time of fear, isolation, and rising antisemitism, I knew I needed to be surrounded by people who understood — people who had family in Israel, who shared the weight of being visibly Jewish, and who didn’t need an explanation to get it.

That’s how I found Hillel. Or maybe how Hillel found me.

I flew to the Content Creators Forum not knowing what to expect, and I fell in love — not just with the program, but with the people. Students from all over North America came together to make an impact, tell their stories, and stand up for our community. Their creativity, courage, and sincerity moved me. In a funny twist of fate, I even met my second cousin Yuval — someone I had never met before, who happened to be studying in Florida and attending the same conference.

The experience gave me something I didn’t know I needed: a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and strength. As a former IDF soldier, being open about my background at Columbia wasn’t always easy. The exposure came with risk. But through Hillel, I found community — people who were going through similar challenges and navigating similar fears. That support gave me courage.

Since then, I’ve deepened my involvement with Hillel International, its Israel Leadership Network, and grown my online advocacy for Israel and Jewish life. I attended the Hillel International Israel Summit, and I had the honor of co-chairing the Content Creators Forum this year. It was a full-circle moment — meeting new, passionate, and incredibly brave students who reminded me why this work is so important.

Hillel shaped my college experience in ways I never imagined. It gave me a space to lead,  grow, and connect with others who believe in creating a better, stronger future for Jewish students everywhere.

As an Israeli living far from home, I found a family at Hillel. I found purpose. And I found hope for our Jewish future.

The post Dear Hillel: How Hillel Found Me appeared first on Hillel International.

Dear Hillel

Hillel Community

Student Stories

Dear Hillel: Redefining Jewish Community Every Day

Author

Eitan Linsider

Date

May 13, 2025

“Dear Hillel” showcases letters from graduating seniors reflecting on their experiences of joy and Jewish life with their campus Hillels. Eitan Linsider, a fourth-year student at the University of Maryland, College Park, reflects on the transformative shifts in the Maryland Hillel community after October 7, 2023. Read Eitan’s letter to Hillel:

Dear Hillel,

When considering where to go to college, I knew Jewish life would be central to my decision. Community has always been a defining part of who I am, shaping my values, my identity, and how I interact with the world. That’s why, from day one, I understood that the University of Maryland Hillel would be integral to my college life.

One of the most meaningful parts of my college experience has been building relationships with the Hillel staff, led by our incredible executive director, Rabbi Ari Israel. The Hillel team is dedicated to enriching the experiences of all Jewish students and groups on campus. Their guiding motto, “student run, staff supported,” perfectly captures their dedication to ensuring students can all make the most of our time here.

That’s why, thanks to those relationships, what truly defines my college experience isn’t any single event; instead, it’s the day-to-day life, during times of calm and crisis, that has been enriched by being a part of this community. During freshman year, I found myself at Hillel multiple times a day —whether it was for davening (prayers), enjoying kosher meals three times a day, doing homework with classmates, or playing ping pong with students who would quickly become my closest friends. From the moment I sat down at my first Shabbat meal, I knew Hillel would become my home away from home.

And then, two months into my third year as a student, Hillel became so much more. In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, Hillel quickly became a lifeline,  a place of refuge in a sea of new uncertainty. And in every sense of the word, Maryland Hillel delivered for our Jewish community. For students like me, who were already part of the daily rhythm at Hillel, our identities were reaffirmed. For other Jewish students, many of whom had never stepped inside the building before, it became a vital space where they could feel safe. 

I was already incredibly proud of the community that Maryland Hillel has built, and watching it grow to embrace so many more students in the face of rising antisemitism has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my college experience.  One event that stood out to me in particular was Shabbat 1000, an annual Friday night Shabbat dinner that held special significance shortly after October 7. The goal was to provide a place of solace in a time of deep distress for students in the Jewish community, each of whom was processing what had happened in their own unique way. Our campus gym quickly filled with students eager for a sense of community. This event, along with a thousand plus attendee vigil held on October 9, 2023, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Maryland Hillel community. 

At every step in the months that followed, Hillel staff stood beside us, supporting our efforts, and providing a welcoming environment where students could proudly and confidently be Jewish. Most events were planned around the Hillel conference room table, and whenever we needed help brainstorming ideas or figuring out how to make them happen, the staff was there to support us. I am beyond thankful for everything they have provided this community. As I move into the next stage of my journey, I am so grateful to have made the decision to attend the University of Maryland and get involved with Maryland Hillel.

The post Dear Hillel: Redefining Jewish Community Every Day appeared first on Hillel International.