News

From the Desk of Adam Lehman: Key Learnings from Hillel Professionals

Author

Adam Lehman

Date

August 1, 2025

Friends,

Last week, we gathered at WashU in St. Louis for Hillel International’s New Professionals Institute (NPI), welcoming 208 new Hillel staff members. As I shared at the NPI opening, this convening is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s energizing and inspiring to see and feel the enthusiasm and vitality of so many new professionals as they prepare to carry forward our Hillel mission.

New Professionals Institute is also a learning opportunity for me, as I connect with the many diverse professionals who have chosen to invest their careers at Hillel. This year was no exception, and I’m sharing here four of my key learnings from the convening:

The Power of Investing in Our Talent Pipeline:

We onboarded our 10th class of Hillel Springboard Fellows, with 53 new Fellows in this year’s class. Our Springboard Fellows are high-potential early career professionals who develop and apply innovative approaches to engaging students in Jewish life on campus during a two-year fellowship — fellows like Ariel Hekier, our first-year Innovation Fellow at Tufts Hillel in Boston. Ariel is an honors graduate from Duke, who chose the Springboard Fellowship over a prestigious overseas fellowship. 

While I was very impressed by the new class of Springboards, it was also gratifying to see the many former Springboard Fellows who have been promoted into new, more senior roles as campus Hillel Executive Directors, Assistant Directors, and Directors of Jewish Student Life. Sofie Ramirez Soto, the former Innovation Fellow at NYU Hillel, is a wonderful example of this progression as she takes on a new role leading Hillel’s work at Washington & Lee in Virginia as their new Jewish Life Program Director. 

When we started the Springboard Fellowship, our goal was to not only infuse new energy and innovation at our campus Hillels, but also to enrich the overall pipeline of professional talent for Hillel and the broader Jewish world. This year’s New Professionals Institute was validation of the ways in which we’re advancing this critical talent pipeline objective.

Supporting the Whole Student:

We’ve also invested in growing the presence of licensed Mental Health and Wellness professionals within campus Hillels. This year, we’ll have nearly 40 social workers, therapists, and other certified and highly trained wellness professionals embedded at campus Hillels, including the nine new wellness professionals we onboarded last week. 

In meeting with this cohort, I was struck by the way in which they saw their opportunity to work at Hillel as a way to apply their expertise in service of a community about which they care deeply. And we know from earlier cohorts that our mental health and wellness professionals not only provide critical support to Jewish students, but also to our other Hillel professionals as they help students navigate the unique stressors of being a Jewish student and young person on campus today. 

Healing Campus Culture Through Relationship Building:

We also hosted our first-ever cohort of Campus Impact Advisors. These 13 professionals focus on both advocating for Jewish students facing bias and discrimination on campus, and strengthening relationships between Jewish student communities and other communities on campus. 

While most of the professionals in this cohort have only been on campus for six months, they shared with me numerous examples of how they’ve already deepened relationships with allies on campus — through partnership with interfaith councils, inviting other faith and identity communities into Shabbats, Passover Seders, and other Jewish communal experiences — and joining those other communities for their events and celebrations. 

Ensuring Sustainability for Every Hillel:

We have worked hard at Hillel International to raise the financial resources necessary to meet the growing needs of Jewish students during this unique period. In addition to supporting the increasing talent, programming, security, and advocacy needs of our current campus Hillels, we also need to invest greater resources in a new wave of schools that are attracting larger numbers of Jewish students — schools like Clemson University (South Carolina), Southern Methodist University (Texas) and James Madison University (Virginia). We’re grateful to all of you who have recognized the critical needs of supporting Jewish student life through the challenges of this period and have stretched your investments to meet these needs.  

Just as our new professionals turned the page to a new chapter in their careers, we began a new book in the Torah cycle, turning the page to Devarim. In the first parsha, or chapter (also Devarim), Moses recounts to the Israelites key aspects of history and learnings from their 40-year journey from Egypt to Sinai to the banks of the Jordan, to prepare them for their entry into the Promised Land. In the same spirit, our New Professionals Institute infused key aspects of our Hillel history, values, and mission so all of our new professionals can in turn inspire all of the students we’re privileged to support and serve, along their sacred Jewish and life journeys. 

Shabbat Shalom,

The post From the Desk of Adam Lehman: Key Learnings from Hillel Professionals appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Hillel International’s New Professionals Institute Sets New Pros Up for Success

Author

Hillel International

Date

July 24, 2025

Attracting, developing, and retaining top talent is at the heart of Hillel International’s strategy for shaping the future of Jewish campus life. That commitment was on full display at the 2025 New Professionals Institute (NPI), which brought nearly 200  professionals to Washington University in St. Louis for two days of immersive onboarding, relationship-building, and learning.

NPI is a cornerstone of Hillel’s talent development strategy, providing new professionals with the knowledge, skills, and relationships needed to lead meaningful Jewish campus experiences. The program emphasizes not just role readiness, but long-term growth and connection across the Hillel movement.

“We as a Hillel movement are committed to you,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman in opening remarks at the conference. “Your professional life at Hillel will be the best part of your professional career within your lifetime. That’s my commitment to you, we are going to do everything in our power to achieve that.”

Sessions focused on building the skills, confidence, and clarity professionals need to engage students and lead with purpose from day one. Key topics included:

• “Building Real Relationships,” which provided concrete practices for fostering deep connection, belonging, and purpose through student engagement.
• “Growing Your Student Leadership Pipeline,” where professionals explored leadership development strategies and tools for empowering students as co-creators of Jewish life.
• “Managing this Moment,” where professionals learned to respond to challenging campus dynamics with clarity, confidence, and care.
• “Flourish at Hillel,” which introduced a well-being framework rooted in Jewish values. 
• “Leading Authentically,” which guided managers through reflection on leadership style and its impact on team culture and outcomes.

This targeted content was designed to ensure that new professionals are equipped to succeed in their current roles, and are supported to grow into leadership positions over time.

“I’ve met so many other new professionals with similar backgrounds to me and have loved connecting with them before I head to campus for the new school year,” said Kennesaw State Hillel Springboard Fellow Jordan Bennett, citing the spent building relationships with the Springboard cohort. Key topics included: 

• Defining success in their roles
• Navigating student life and campus culture
• Identifying key support structures and resources
• Working within higher education institutions

NPI is designed to do more than orient professionals to their roles—it’s an investment in their leadership, engagement capacity, and long-term career trajectory within Hillel. By providing vision, connection, and skills, NPI helps professionals begin their Hillel journeys with confidence and a strong sense of purpose.

For Cayla Schreier, Hillel for Utah’s director of student and community engagement, NPI was a valuable place to learn about engagement strategies that will give students a sense of belonging on her campus. “Hillel has a place for everyone,” she said.

As the academic year begins, these professionals return to campus with expanded skill sets, meaningful peer networks, and a clear vision for their role in shaping vibrant Jewish student life.

The post Hillel International’s New Professionals Institute Sets New Pros Up for Success appeared first on Hillel International.

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

Build the Career and the Life You Want: Q&A With Career Coach Marcy Hess

Author

Hillel International

Date

July 18, 2025

Every year, a new class of Jewish alumni enters the workforce and begins their professional lives. As members of the class of 2025 launch their careers, we spoke with Marcy (Newman) Hess, senior director of strategic partnerships at Loyola Marymount University (LMU)’s career and professional development office and a private career and leadership coach, about her own professional journey and the advice she has for those just starting out. 

Hillel International: How long have you been at LMU, and how did you decide that coaching  was your path?

Marcy (Newman) Hess: “I will have been at LMU for 10 years this September. I fell into career coaching: It wasn’t something I knew I wanted to do – I just knew I wanted to be on a college campus and work within a university setting in some capacity supporting students. I have my master’s in education from the University of Southern California, and originally, I was going to school in hopes of supporting Greek life organizations and orientation programs, which really had an impact on my personal and leadership development throughout college.

My first year out of grad school, I was working in a student activities office at a small liberal arts women’s college, and while I loved the work and supporting women, my boss at the time wasn’t a great fit. A colleague who worked in the career center told me that there was a position open, and so I interviewed for it and ended up getting the job. At first, I felt a bit like, ‘Who am I to be giving career advice at 25 or 26?’ but I found that I’m really good at it, not just in things like resume and cover letter feedback, but also in being an advocate for others, an empathetic listener, and an enthusiastic advice-giver for these students, which are all things that come naturally to me.

I always tell people that I didn’t plan for this – it just happened. I had a conversation with a colleague and stayed open to what could be a possibility for me professionally and took a chance by exploring another area of university life/student affairs I hadn’t considered. And I have found that I really enjoy the elements of the field (coaching) as they align strongly with my personality, values and interests.”

Hillel: What advice would you give to students on determining an initial career path post-graduation?

Marcy: “For students who are unsure of what they want to do, I’m a big fan of just talking to people. Make a list of the companies you want to work for and look for connections, whether that’s through family, mentors, former bosses or professors, or an alumni network through your school or one like the Jewish Career Network. Once you find those people, line up a time to go grab coffee with them virtually or in person, and just inquire about ‘What’s it really like to work at Netflix? What’s it really like to be a part of Kaiser? What are the skills needed to be successful in your field or industry?’

The relationship piece is key to me, especially when I think about my life. In my career in particular, so much of it has been through relationships where I’ve been referred, recommended, or introduced. And actually, more than 80% of jobs come through networking. You really can just reach out to someone with a message like, ‘Hey, (name of alumna). I also went to NYU and just graduated. I’m really impressed with your background. I’d love some advice on what it looks like to work in public relations or whatever it is that someone is hoping to learn more about.’ By talking to others you’ll discern what may or may not be a good fit for you, company culture or industry-wise. You’ll gain clarity and narrow down your options of what you may want to explore pursuing or applying for.

As far as building a network, remember that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel: Go where there are already established networks and tap into existing communities. What were you involved in as an undergrad, and where might you tap back into that network? Were you in a sorority? Hillel? Student government? Find your people and utilize that shared experience and connection. People want to help one another, whether you graduated with them or they’re 10 years older. And on the topic of helping others, I’m a big proponent of volunteering, especially during a time like this in our world. See what your alumni association has to offer, look through your networks (like LinkedIn) – find where you can be of service and what you can do to help others. Your community is where you can find opportunities. 

I’m also a big fan of life design. There’s this great book that I recommend often to clients and alumni called ‘Designing Your Life,’ and I encourage people to reflect because I think there’s such a self-imposed and societal pressure to have it all ‘figured out.’ But the thing is, it’s a lifelong process: I’m in my forties, and I’m still ‘figuring it out.’ So I love the concept of not just ‘What career do you want to have?’ but ‘What kind of life do you want to build?’ It’s important to do some reflection, journaling, and not just get a job to get something or be at a high-profile company. If I could tell recent grads anything, it’s to not get too fixated on your degree and instead focus on the skillset you can bring to an organization and what brings you purpose and joy.”

Hillel: What would you tell a recent grad who is feeling anxious about their future?

Marcy: “Slow it down. Focus on what you enjoy doing – not just what you got a degree in, but the skills that you want to bring and the impact you want to make. Your degree is important, but it’s not everything and it’s not so linear in the real world. And explore your options beyond finding a job; maybe volunteer with the Peace Corps, maybe do a fellowship or a Fulbright. You’re going to work for a long time, so have some adventure and fun where you can. I know that people have bills and loans to pay, but take some time to get creatively curious. We’re always in such a rush to get to the next step, but why are we putting this pressure on ourselves? Why can’t we say, ‘For the month of July, I’m taking off to travel, and then in August, I’ll hire a career coach or set up some informational calls.’”

Hillel: What are the top three tips you would give to recent grads who are now searching for jobs?

Marcy: “First, celebrate your accomplishments. Post on LinkedIn or the Jewish Career Network and say something like, ‘I just graduated from LMU with a degree in business administration, I’m looking to apply to these positions, and I’d love to connect with people in my community.’ Share your accomplishments with your network – or what will become your network – and let them celebrate you.

Second, get involved with your alumni association and find ways to connect with your community. Find your people, get a mentor, tap into those existing communities, and start building those relationships. And who knows? You may even land a job through connecting.

Third, reflect on what you enjoy. Do some energy mapping over a week’s time to reflect on your activities and tasks, and look at where your energy was high and where it was low during these activities. Assess where you feel energized and what activities deplete your energy. Look for themes, roles in your life where you feel in a flow, things come naturally and you feel good about yourself afterward. 

Is it that you’re the unofficial advice-giver to your friends and family? Or the go-to person at dinners to figure out the bill and speak up if there’s a discrepancy? Reflecting on daily, weekly, or monthly activities will give you insight into what you want to do, and your community may also be able to reflect to you what they see are your greatest gifts. From there, you can schedule some informational conversations or coffee chats with people where you’re just curious about what they do and how they got there. 

I think it’s important that we normalize asking people about their paths and, for those being asked the question, normalize demystifying the process for job seekers. No one really teaches you how to navigate post-grad life or ‘how to adult,’ and so I’m a big advocate of not doing it alone and instead leaning on your networks for support.

To be clear, this process isn’t formulaic or linear. It’s not ‘follow these three steps and you’ll find your dream job.’ It’s clunky and messy and scary and exciting. But if you tap into your networks, it can be a little bit easier and more enjoyable, I have found.”

Looking for a way to get started with building your career journey? Check out the Jewish Career Network and connect with peers, mentors, and professionals across hundreds of fields, as well as read Career Conversations featuring Marcy and others.

Marcy has also very generously offered to provide interested students who are involved with Hillel with one 30-minute complimentary coaching session. Contact her at Marcy@marcynewmancoaching.com.

The post Build the Career and the Life You Want: Q&A With Career Coach Marcy Hess appeared first on Hillel International.

News

From RootOne to Hillel: Jewish Inspiration and Connection

Author

Hillel International

Date

July 16, 2025

Every year, thousands of high school students travel to Israel on trips funded by RootOne, an organization that helps young Jewish students build their connections with Israel and their Jewish identities. Those students often find their way to Hillel when they begin their college and university journeys. Inspired by the roots they planted in high school, RootOne alumni become Hillel student leaders, peer teachers, and advocates for the Jewish future. Here are some of their stories:

Turning Complexity into Inspiration

Tamar Franbuch is a rising fourth-year student at the University of Pittsburgh.

“As a 16-year-old high school student, I went on a month-long volunteer trip to Israel with RootOne that completely changed how I approach growth and leadership. On this trip, Rabbi Akiva Naiman from youth group NCSY shared an idea that has stuck with me ever since: ‘You must be comfortable with being uncomfortable.’ Those words became a guiding principle in my life, reminding me that real growth happens only when we’re willing to face discomfort head-on.

That trip and that phrase have shaped many of the choices I’ve made since, including my decision to attend an out-of-state university (where I didn’t know anyone) and to get involved with Hillel at the University of Pittsburgh, where I serve as the incoming president for the Student Coalition for Israel at Pitt. 

Most recently, my experience with RootOne inspired me to co-teach a peer-led course at Hillel on the geopolitics of Israel. It was one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had as a student. Along with two of my peers, I designed the course not only to educate other students, but to push them to engage in challenging, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about identity, politics, and conflict. During these sessions, I saw firsthand how much people grow when given the space and support to wrestle with complexity. I ended our last class by passing on the advice Rabbi Akiva had given me four years prior, saying, ‘I hope this course made you uncomfortable. You must be uncomfortable to learn and grow and to fully understand the complexity of this information.’ 

As I head back to school for my final year, I hope to build on the lessons I learned from my RootOne experience, and to develop as a leader who fosters growth in others. I’m eager to connect with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, because I know that’s where the most powerful learning happens. And I’m more than ready to step outside my comfort zone, because I’ve learned that’s exactly where I need to be to keep growing and helping others do the same.”

Fueling a Passion for Justice and Activism

Claire Eisenstadt is a rising second-year student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“As a teen, RootOne enabled me to attend Young Judea Gesher Israel.  Through this program, I experienced Israeli culture firsthand and engaged in meaningful conversations about Israel and Judaism. This trip to Israel also opened my eyes to the disparities between how Israel is portrayed in the media versus the realities on the ground. Because RootOne made this program accessible to me, I was able to fuel my passion for protecting the Jewish state. And my experiences visiting the religious and historical sites in Israel inspired me to get involved in Jewish life on campus – and to stand up for my heritage. 

In this post-October 7 world, I am glad I made the decision to center my activism on my Jewish community. The skills I developed through Gesher Israel continue to impact me in college, where I am deeply involved at Illini Hillel, serving in leadership positions on the Hillel Leadership Council and the Hillel Civic Leadership Committee.”

Continuing a Journey With Hillel

Daniele Mizrahi is a rising third-year student at Baruch College.

“Participating in a RootOne trip through NCSY in 2022 was one of my first real exposures to Israel, and it had a profound impact on me. That summer, I felt a deep and meaningful connection to the country and its culture, people, and history. The experience sparked something in me, and when I returned home, I was inspired to stay connected and involved. That’s what motivated me to become active with Baruch Hillel. Through Hillel, I’ve been able to continue exploring my Jewish identity and building a community of Jewish students who share those same values and connections. This past year, my experience came full circle when I participated in a Baruch Hillel trip to Israel, where I volunteered for 10 days. Hillel has been a central part of my college experience, allowing me to grow both personally and as a leader.”

Carrying Community from RootOne to Hillel

Rachel Barker is a rising third-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

“The RootOne trip I took in 2022 to Prague, Israel, and Germany  gave me a broader perspective on Judaism and Israel, especially now, in the wake of the October 7, 2023 tragedies. After October 7, UW Hillel and other Jewish campus organizations hosted vigils where we prayed and sang peace songs together. To me, this is what Hillel and Judaism is: community. The Shabbat dinners and holidays I spend at Hillel are a great environment, and they only strengthen that community, as does my participation in the Jewish Learning Fellowship. My trip with RootOne created a sense of community and connection to Jewish history, and my journey with that connection has continued with Hillel.”

Broadening Horizons and Deepening Relationships

Elijah Fox is a rising third-year student at the University of Michigan. 

“The 2022 Detroit Teen Mission to Israel was the first time I traveled to a country outside of North America. My worldview widened greatly as I made many Israeli friends and gained an up close experience in the history of Israel. Some of the friends I grew closer with on the trip are now my companions for Shabbat dinners at Hillel. Traveling to Israel with RootOne gave me a shared experience with other Jewish students that has helped me make friends in college. Now, as I have become more active in Jewish life at the University of Michigan, and have joined many clubs at Michigan Hillel, including JenGA, Michigan Hillel’s Engineering Club, I’ve seen firsthand how gaining this wider understanding of the world has allowed me to foster new relationships and grow as an individual.” 

Check out stories from more students whose lives have been changed by RootOne and Hillel.

The post From RootOne to Hillel: Jewish Inspiration and Connection appeared first on Hillel International.

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.

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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.

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I Left Tel Aviv Early, But I Didn’t Leave Empty

Author

Hadassah Sternfeld

Date

June 25, 2025

For months, I had been counting down the days until my trip to Israel with the University of Florida Hillel. It was a dream I spoke into existence over and over, telling friends, family, teachers, and even strangers how excited I was. I imagined myself living for the summer in a country I love, immersing myself in its culture, and participating in an internship that aligned perfectly with my future goals.

And for a while, I got to do exactly that.

I’m incredibly grateful I was able to fully experience my Birthright trip. Those 10 days were some of the most joyful, meaningful, and affirming I’ve ever had. From hiking Masada at sunrise to singing on the bus, praying at the Kotel, dancing with strangers who became friends, and eating endless amounts of falafel and shawarma, our group made every moment count. I felt more alive than I had in a long time. Being in Israel reminded me who I am, reconnecting me to my roots and to the bigger story I’m part of – not just as a Jewish woman, but as someone deeply committed to caring for others, to connection, and to community.

After Birthright, I began the next part of my adventure: an eight-week internship through Birthright Israel Onward. I was placed at Save a Child’s Heart, an Israeli nonprofit providing lifesaving cardiac care to children from underserved countries. Each day brought new challenges and beautiful moments. I split my time between the children’s home, where I helped plan activities and supported patients and their families, and the hospital, where I accompanied kids to their appointments and provided comfort in an unfamiliar environment. Many of the kids didn’t speak the same language as me, but laughter, music, soccer, and simple acts of kindness became their own kind of language. These moments made Israel feel less like a place I was visiting and more like home.

Then, everything changed overnight.

On June 13, my friends and I had just returned from a night out in Tel Aviv. We were asleep for a couple of hours when sirens woke us at 3 a.m. We had no idea what was happening, but we knew that we needed to get into a bomb shelter, fast. Throughout the night, we sought refuge in the shelter multiple times, unsure what the coming days would bring. By morning, we were told to pack for three days. All Onward programs were being relocated to a hotel in Tel Aviv for our safety.

I remember packing in a daze, hoping I’d return to my cozy apartment on Nachalat Binyamin Street, near the shuk and my favorite gelato place, Arte. But at the hotel, things felt different.

That Friday night, I lit Shabbat candles alongside some people I loved and others I had just met. We shared songs, stories, and laughter over dinner, until another siren went off. As we rushed to a shelter, we looked up and saw the sky light up with rockets. But once inside, during a moment that could have been terrifying, something beautiful happened as we filled the space with songs and spontaneous prayers. Our melodies drowned out the sound of the booms, replacing fear with unity. We clung to one another, to hope, to joy, and to the community that has always carried our people through.

The following day, we were officially told that our program was ending early and we would be relocated for our safety. I returned to my apartment to pack my belongings, and for the first time, everything felt real. As I walked my usual route one last time, I noticed a sticker memorializing my friend Gili Adar, who was killed at the Nova festival on October 7. I had passed that spot every day for over two weeks and never noticed it before. In that moment, amid grief, confusion, and heartbreak, it felt like a sign that she was watching over me and keeping me safe.

That evening, all of Onward gathered again for Havdalah. Among us was a family who had lost their home to a rocket the night before. They had been in their bomb shelter at the time, saving their lives. As they stood before us and recited the Hagomel prayer, a blessing said after surviving a life-threatening event, the room filled with emotion. We sang and danced with them, showing them they weren’t alone, and that Israel is still strong. Our voices said that we, the Jewish people, are still here – alive, united, and full of light, even in the darkest of moments.

Once we relocated, we did our best to adapt. Onward tried to lift our spirits with programming that included a concert, a blind dating game, yoga, and more. Still, it felt surreal to be having fun while much of the country remained in shelters. That’s when I came to understand the Israeli spirit means you keep living. You keep showing up. 

After a few days, we learned we’d be evacuated to Cyprus by cruise ship. Those final days were filled with memory-making: walks along the water, late-night talks, and holding onto every last moment. Our evacuation took 72 hours and spanned four countries, three flights, two buses, and one boat. There were moments of chaos – trying to navigate the crowded cruise ship, being stuck on the tarmac for hours, and running on little to no sleep – but also moments of magic. Laughing with my friends over dinner on the boat, blasting Israeli music on the bus ride to the airport in Cyprus, and watching the sunrise over the Eiffel Tower on just a few hours of sleep reminded me that joy can exist even in the most uncertain times. 

When our final flight landed back in the United States, I felt a wave of relief I didn’t know I’d been holding in. After nine days of uncertainty, packed bags, shifting plans, and unanswered questions, my feet were finally on solid ground. It wasn’t the ending I expected, but it was an ending I was lucky to have. I’m so deeply grateful to be home, safe, and forever changed by the experience.

Now, I’m choosing to focus on what I gained, not what I lost.

My time at Save a Child’s Heart changed me. I worked with kids who traveled across the world to access care they couldn’t get at home. I ran activities at the children’s home and accompanied them to the hospital, offering comfort and distraction during difficult moments. Even without shared language, we connected through coloring pages, songs, and hand games. That work reminded me why I want to become a pediatric nurse. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.

It’s easy to grieve how suddenly it ended. But I’m learning that even incomplete stories can be beautiful. I got to live in Israel for a brief time. I walked to the shuk. I ate Arte gelato. I laughed and played with kids. I danced in bomb shelters with strangers who felt like family. I lived my dream, even if only for a moment.

I don’t know when I’ll return, but I do know that I will. There’s so much more I want to do, and so much more I want to give. Though my experience ended early, everything I learned, felt, and gave will stick with me forever. Am Yisrael Chai.

Hadassah Sternfeld is a rising fourth-year student at the University of Florida, studying health science and women’s studies. She is passionate about building meaningful connections, making an impact, and celebrating Jewish life.

The post I Left Tel Aviv Early, But I Didn’t Leave Empty appeared first on Hillel International.

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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.