Student Stories Archives - Hillel International

How Shabbat is Helping Me Navigate Post-Graduate Life

Author

Hannah Smuckler

Date

June 10, 2025

Hannah Smuckler recently graduated from the University of Kansas. After working as a Hillel International intern for the last year, Hannah will be starting work this summer as the new Springboard Fellow at Syracuse Hillel.

As I’m writing this, my graduation cap and gown are already carefully tucked away in the closet of my childhood room. I can’t believe how fast my time in college flew by. And while I am excited for the future, one thing I’ll miss is the way Hillel has helped me center Shabbat in my life. No matter what my week looked like, I knew I’d have “Shabbat at Hillel” on my calendar at the same time every Friday. And even if something else came up and I couldn’t make it to Shabbat one week, it still brought me a sense of comfort to know that those rhythms and connections were still happening in my community.

Growing up, my family only celebrated Shabbat on special occasions. I always loved lighting the candles and having a meal with my family, but I didn’t think about celebrating every week until college. Now the Shabbat rest and opportunity for reflection is such an important part of my week, and it’s changed the way I think about making time for myself and my friends.

What I have loved most about KU Hillel Shabbat is that there’s something for everyone. Aside from having multiple Shabbat celebration opportunities each week, including Friday night services, dinner, Saturday brunch, and Havdalah, we often incorporated different themes. Some of the themes this past year included game day, Israel, tacos, and even a murder mystery themed Shabbat! This gave each of us the opportunity to find the perfect Shabbat experience for our interests. I’ve also loved getting to sample different cuisines that have to do with each of these Shabbat themes. One week, a friend and I led a Spain-themed Shabbat and brought our favorite Spanish foods to KU Hillel!

As a college graduate, without the stability and support of Hillel, I’ll have to figure out what I want my Shabbat experience to look like. But I know that these experiences and lessons I’ve taken from my time with Hillel will guide me as I learn to take Shabbat with me into the rest of my life.

Here are three ways I’m using Shabbat to help me during this transition:

I’m putting my phone down and working on being more present and intentional with my friends. Then I’m taking the relaxation and reflection from each Friday night and carrying it with me into the week.
I’m taking a few minutes each Shabbat to go through pictures from the last four years and turning my favorites into a collage of memories that will travel with me where I go next.
I’m making an effort to find time on Shabbat to see friends who I haven’t seen recently as I recognize that Shabbat will always be a time to make new friends and spend time with old friends.

No matter where you are in your journey, you can think about how to make Shabbat your own. Maybe you’re reading this as an incoming freshman (hello, class of 2029!) trying to figure out what Shabbat at college means to you. My advice is: try every option you can to find out what makes Shabbat the most meaningful to you. This could be spending time with your Hillel friends as they celebrate Shabbat, using Shabbat to reflect on the week, or hosting your own Shabbat dinner for your campus community.

For my fellow graduating seniors, let’s use this pause each week to help us find some stability in the biggest transition of our lives so far. Whether you’re continuing with school, getting a job, or moving back home, Shabbat can be a consistent chance to look inward regularly and refresh for the coming week.

While it’s hard to say goodbye to the moments and community that shaped my time and my growth over the last four years, I’m so excited to take the lessons in reflection and rest that Shabbat at Hillel taught me into this next part of my journey.

The post How Shabbat is Helping Me Navigate Post-Graduate Life appeared first on Hillel International.

The Shabbat Walk That Changed My Life

Liora Knizhnik — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:05:09 +0000

LGBTQIA+

Proud to be Jewish

The Shabbat Walk That Changed My Life

Author

Ariel Katz

Date

June 5, 2025

Ariel Katz is the associate general counsel for Hillel International. In celebration of Pride Month, Ariel shared her story about how she met her wife and learned to integrate her queer and Jewish identities.

On a rainy night in late April 2022, nine years into living in Chicago, I took the bus to a Shabbat dinner in nearby Andersonville that would change my life. Uncharacteristically, I was a few minutes late, and there was only one seat left, next to a woman who had also arrived late. We started talking, and I learned that she was smart, and really funny, and easy to talk to. I am shomer Shabbat, so I asked her to walk me home (a mile and a half away) after dinner. She agreed, and the rest, as they say, is history.

It’s maybe a bit of a cliche to have met my wife at a Shabbat dinner, and perhaps even more so that we met at an LGTBQ Shabbat dinner sponsored by Base Hillel.

I grew up in an observant household and attended Jewish day school and Jewish summer camp. I learned to read Hebrew while learning English, and wrote my college essay about the connection I felt to Judaism when I read out loud from the Torah. I never questioned my Jewish identity, and while my relationship with Judaism has changed over the course of my life, it has always remained a core part of who I am.

When I came out as gay at the end of college, I didn’t doubt my Jewishness — but I did wonder whether Jewish spaces would still feel like home. I feared being seen as “other” in communities that had once nurtured me. Could I walk into a synagogue holding a woman’s hand and still be embraced the same way? Who was a gay Ariel Katz in comparison to a straight Ariel Katz? (Spoiler alert: The same person! Just a more whole version of myself.) And how did this new identity fit in with my Jewish identity, if it even fit at all?

I posed these questions to a straight friend who had been living in Chicago for several years. I had just moved to the city, and was dealing with my own sense of my place in the broader world on top of coming out publicly. “How do I add this new identity to my already strong Jewish identity?” I asked her. “Is there room for both?” She went on to share that she felt there was room for both identities, and that most of the Jewish spaces in her life were, in fact, queer spaces, either by design (like the queer Yeshiva where she studied) or by virtue of community (like the synagogue she attended with many queer families). By the time I met my wife nine years later, both my identities were so intertwined that attending a Base Hillel LGBTQ dinner was as commonplace as any other Jewish event I might attend.

That’s why working at Hillel now feels so meaningful — not just because I get to be my full self, but because I get to help make sure others can do the same. Co-leading our LGBTQ Employee Resource Group is more than a side responsibility; it’s a reflection of everything I once needed and now get to help provide. At one of our Employee Resource Group meetings in April, everyone shared different Pride Shabbatot happening on their campuses, or other ways they were collaborating with queer groups on campus or uplifting their own queer students. Some Hillels were so intersected with the queer community that their Shabbat celebrations were marketed as “Gayer than Usual Pride Shabbat.”

Whenever I visit a local campus, it is commonplace to see a Pride flag hanging in a window. To today’s students, this ubiquity may seem like a given. Working for Hillel, I have never had to question my acceptance as a queer Jew, nor questioned the acceptance of queer Jewish students at campus Hillels. After all, it’s easy to take for granted the acceptance of queer Jews in Jewish spaces today, as reflected at Hillel and many progressive synagogues across America. But this wasn’t always the case.

There was a time not long ago when queer Jews had to choose between authenticity and belonging. Hillel is helping change that. I’m proud to work for an organization that creates spaces where Jews can show up fully as themselves — where being queer and Jewish isn’t a contradiction but a celebration. And I’m especially grateful for that rainy night in April, when Hillel made space for me to meet my beshert.

The post The Shabbat Walk That Changed My Life appeared first on Hillel International.

Jewish American Heritage Month: Building a Joyful and Authentic Jewish Life

Liora Knizhnik — Tue, 27 May 2025 19:09:20 +0000

Jewish Identity

Jewish American Heritage Month: Building a Joyful and Authentic Jewish Life

Author

Rachel Miller

Date

May 27, 2025

In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we are honored to share Lauren Azrin’s story about exploring her Jewish identity with Dartmouth Hillel. Lauren, a graduating senior at Dartmouth College, found a Jewish home-away-from-home at Dartmouth Hillel which inspired her to continue her Jewish journey after college. Read Lauren’s story:

When Lauren Azrin arrived at Dartmouth College, she came with a clear intention: she wanted to be part of the Jewish community. Raised in a Conservative home with strong Orthodox influences, Judaism was central to Lauren’s upbringing. Jewish preschool, day school, regular synagogue attendance, and involvement in youth group USY formed the foundation of her early Jewish life.

But in high school, as she transitioned to public school, Judaism took a less active role. “I stayed connected through synagogue friends and a youth group,” Lauren reflects, “but when I got to college, Hillel gave me a way to reconnect in a personal, meaningful way. It helped me take Judaism into my own hands.”

After recently graduating with a degree in English, film, and economics, Lauren is preparing for a job in communications, with dreams of eventually working in entertainment. Looking back, she credits Hillel at Dartmouth with deepening her Jewish identity and inspiring a lifelong connection to community, learning, and tradition.

A Community from the Start

Lauren’s Jewish journey at Dartmouth began with Jew Croo, a Thursday night dinner for first-year students. “It was one of the first things I did on campus,” she says. “It was so important in making me feel welcome. I probably met every active Jew at Dartmouth that year.”

The friendships she made early on became anchors. From Jew Croo to Shabbat dinners — complete with warm food, meaningful conversations, and Dartmouth Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Seth Linfield’s famous question of the week — Hillel quickly became a home away from home.

“Even when things got hectic with school and socializing, I always prioritized Shabbat. It’s warm, grounding, and fun. We laugh, learn, and share.”

Choosing Her Judaism

Throughout her time at Dartmouth, Lauren regularly took part in Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF), a conversational seminar for students looking to deepen their understanding of Judaism. “The classes were small and every session had a theme. From kabbalah and ethics to love and relationships, we explored Jewish texts and applied them to our lives,” she says.

Reflecting on how meaningful this experience was, Lauren adds, “Back when I was growing up, I learned because it was expected. Here, I learned because I wanted to. I was choosing Judaism for myself.”

She also helped organize a Jewish formal during her sophomore summer and attended countless community-building events like Jews and Java, Jews and Canoes, and the annual Purim Ball. “All these activities gave me a chance to celebrate Judaism joyfully and authentically,” she says.

A Birthright Experience Like No Other

Lauren waited until senior year to participate in Birthright Israel, and the timing, she says, was perfect. “I was more mature, more grounded, and better able to reflect. It was immersive and incredibly meaningful.”

Traveling with Dartmouth Hillel peers and educators, Lauren visited diverse communities — from Druze villages to Arab-Israeli neighborhoods — and explored complex narratives. A powerful moment came at Yad Vashem, where the group discussed Holocaust memory and its relevance to their own Jewish lives.

“We didn’t just observe, we reflected. We asked what it means to carry these histories forward,” she remembers.

Finding Strength After October 7

Lauren was studying abroad during the October 7, 2023 attacks but returned to campus during the heightened tensions that followed. “There was a protest on May 7 where many students were arrested. It was a really unsettling experience.”

Despite the challenges, Lauren never felt isolated. She says, “Hillel was a safe space from the beginning. They created room for dialogue, comfort, and community. I know students at other campuses didn’t have that. We were lucky—we got to thrive.”

A Jewish Future

As graduation approaches, Lauren knows that her connection to Judaism is just beginning. “Hillel reminded me how much I love Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and community. I want to find a community I can fully immerse myself in. I’ve realized the most important part of Judaism is community. That’s what I’ve found at Hillel. And that’s what I’ll continue to seek out.”

Interested in more stories about Jewish students exploring their Jewish heritage through a connection to Hillel? Read about Lauren Robbins, a third year student at University of Florida, and her journey.

The post Jewish American Heritage Month: Building a Joyful and Authentic Jewish Life appeared first on Hillel International.

This Jewish American Heritage Month, I’m Reflecting on My Israeli Jewish American Identity

Liora Knizhnik — Fri, 23 May 2025 13:42:04 +0000

Jewish Identity

This Jewish American Heritage Month, I’m Reflecting on My Israeli Jewish American Identity

Author

Amit Ben Harush

Date

May 23, 2025

Amit Ben-Harush is a student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she studies business and marketing. A proud Israeli American Jew, Amit reflects on how her connection to her Jewish heritage has grown with her over the years.

In 2005, my family flew from Israel to Minnesota to visit my aunt for the High Holidays, and decided to stay permanently. We quickly became very involved in our local Jewish community: We kept kosher, went to synagogue every weekend, and made Shabbat a big part of our lives. The community I grew up in, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, felt like one big Jewish family. We could walk to our synagogue, walk to my aunt’s house for lunch, and really immerse ourselves in Jewish life.

Things changed when I was in elementary school, and my parents got divorced. Up until second grade, I had gone to Jewish day school, so being Jewish was the norm for my friends and me. It was just another part of my life. But after my parents got divorced, I transferred to a public school, and everything was different. Suddenly, I was the only Jewish kid. There was no one who could relate to me, or who I could talk to about being Jewish. I was still very proud of my Israeli identity, but my Judaism began to take a back seat.

By the time I reached my first year of high school, I was looking for something bigger than my Minnesota school, so I convinced my parents to let me study abroad in Israel. To me, the goal of that experience was to be back in Israel and experience that homecoming.

But my study abroad experience ended early when I returned home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, being back in Israel reminded me how meaningful it was to be surrounded by other Jews, and I didn’t want to lose that feeling. I found my way to the youth group NCSY, and became the president of my school’s Jewish Student Union, both of which filled the space in me that was missing Jewish friends and Jewish community.

After my experiences in NCSY, I knew it was going to be important to me to have a long-term Jewish connection while at college. When we toured campuses, the first question my mom asked was whether or not there was a Hillel, and that helped me get a sense for what Jewish life might be like there. And in my search for a Jewish family, I found an incredible surprise when I visited the University of Minnesota and saw my cousin! She was working at Minnesota Hillel as the Jewish Agency Israel Fellow last year and seeing her cemented my feeling that the strength and vibrancy of Minnesota Hillel made it the perfect place for me.

I’ve gotten deeply involved in Hillel since starting at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and it’s really strengthened my Jewish identity. While studying business and marketing, I joined the Hillel social action team and marketing team, and participated in the Kane Fellowship at Minnesota Hillel, an experience that helped me grow as a Jewish leader.

This Jewish American Heritage Month, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be Jewish in communities where there are very few Jewish people. When I live in a big Jewish community, like I did in Israel and in St. Louis Park, I don’t have to think as much on a day-to-day basis about being Jewish. It’s just another part of my life. But when I’m surrounded by a diverse group of people who are not Jewish, it inspires me to think more intentionally and deeply about my Jewish identity and practice.

And what I have found is that being an Israeli immigrant is still a core part of who I am, both in my love for my birth country, Israel, and my adopted country, America. Being Jewish in America is so different from being Jewish in Israel, and I’m proud to have been able to experience both. As we celebrate the history of Jewish people in America this month, I keep thinking about how we may be small in number, but we’re such a diverse community, full of amazing people who have done amazing things. I’m proud to call myself an Israeli Jewish American.

The post This Jewish American Heritage Month, I’m Reflecting on My Israeli Jewish American Identity appeared first on Hillel International.

Passing the Torch: The Evolution of Jewish Leadership on Campus

Liora Knizhnik — Wed, 21 May 2025 18:13:55 +0000

Hillel Leadership

Proud to be Jewish

Passing the Torch: The Evolution of Jewish Leadership on Campus

Author

Abi Schcolnik

Date

May 21, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Hillel: Finding Light When I Needed It Most

Liora Knizhnik — Fri, 16 May 2025 16:09:16 +0000

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: Four Years of Joy and Growth

Liora Knizhnik — Thu, 15 May 2025 20:29:29 +0000

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: How Hillel Found Me

Liora Knizhnik — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:22:37 +0000

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: Redefining Jewish Community Every Day

Liora Knizhnik — Tue, 13 May 2025 18:33:39 +0000

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.

Dear Hillel: Finding Belonging and Opportunity at Hillel

Liora Knizhnik — Mon, 12 May 2025 18:52:55 +0000