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

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.

News

Hope, Memory, and Healing After October 7

Author

Rotem A.

Date

May 28, 2025

Rotem is a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow working at a Florida-based university where she teaches Jewish students about the important place that Israel holds in Jewish identity. Rotem is a survivor of the Nova Music Festival massacre that took place on October 7, 2023, and we are honored that she chose to share her story with us. Please read her story with care for yourself and others. 

I grew up in Yad Natan in Southern Israel. Sports were always a huge part of my life. I have a degree in physical education from Wingate Institute, and worked as a volleyball coach for a long time. I’ve always believed in helping others, an aspiration I brought to life as a physical education teacher in elementary and high schools, and during a trip to volunteer in Uganda. 

For most of my life, I thought that athletics would be where I found my career. But that changed after October 7.

When I think about the fear and horror of that day, it’s sometimes hard to remember how lucky I am. I survived the massacre that Hamas perpetrated at the Nova Music Festival, where 410 people were murdered and 44 hostages were taken into captivity. The four friends who I went to the festival with survived, but so many others didn’t. Two of my friends from Herzliya, Israel, who also came to the festival, an event intended to celebrate peace and love, were murdered by terrorists while they hid in shelters. Today, we continue to mourn those who were killed, and to remember those still being held hostage nearly 600 days after they were taken so brutally.

Growing up in Israel, memory is part of everyday life. We’re surrounded by history, both ancient and modern, and learning that history  is part of our survival. That’s one reason Yom HaZikaron, Israeli Memorial Day, is the day before Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Memory is an essential part of who we are.

But even with the understanding of the role memory plays in my life, for a year after October 7, I was seeped in shock and trauma and chaos. I was searching for myself. I knew I couldn’t really return to the person I was before that day, but I started to understand that I could take my memories and make them into something meaningful. I could move forward with hope. 

That’s how I came to be where I am now: serving as a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow, taking the pain that I experienced and turning it into something good by helping Jewish students build a deeper connection to Israel.

 In fact, I see the impact of my work every time I share my story of survival, and I am moved by how emotional the students are in response. My students here are so proud to be Jewish, and I am inspired to see how connected they are to Jewish identity, history, and memory. 

One recent example of their connection to Judaism was the six-hour vigil they held this year to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. This event also inspired the way I approached an exhibit for Yom HaZikaron on campus. Traditionally, Yom HaZikaron is a day to remember fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror attacks, which since October 7, has come to include the victims of those attacks as well.

This year, I decided to do something that centered our hope for a better, more peaceful future while honoring those who perished. I displayed an exhibition of photos taken by an IDF soldier who serves as a military photographer. The photos depict soldiers who fought on October 7 and released hostages. Not the hostage posters you see, but real photos of who they were, including their names and their stories. It is displayed at Hillel for everyone to see – underscoring the message that freedom is precious and comes with sacrifice and that focusing on hope for the future, even during dark times, is critical. 

The victims of October 7, and all those we have lost to war and terror, deserve to be remembered, even amid heartbreak. Their memories can inspire us to connect with one another, as we feel not just grief, but hope for better days ahead.

The post Hope, Memory, and Healing After October 7 appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Celebrating Israel’s 77th Birthday — Hillel Style!

Author

Hillel International

Date

May 6, 2025

At Hillels around the world, Jewish college students celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 77th birthday, in diverse and exciting ways. Before jumping into the Hillel celebrations below, check out highlights from Jewish students celebrating Israel across the country: 

University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder Hillel)
Nearly 400 students gathered on Farrand Field for CU Boulder Hillel’s annual Israel Fest. Featuring trivia competitions, lawn games, art projects, and of course, free falafel, Israel Fest gave all CU Boulder students – including members of their “Jewish Herd” – an opportunity to learn about and celebrate Israel.

University of Miami (UM Hillel)
At UM Hillel, Israel Week truly lived up to its name, with events taking place nearly every day. The week kicked off with a Mimouna celebration – a post-Passover tradition with Moroccan roots – which included mufletas (traditional Moroccan pancakes), a tie-dye station, and a surprise visit from a very special guest: a llama. In the middle of the week, students had the opportunity to hear from Dalia Ziada, a prominent Egyptian peace activist and speaker for Hillel International’s Teach-In Tour, who shared her journey of growing beyond the narratives she was raised with. Later, students celebrated Israel at the TLV Rooftop Party with an Israeli DJ, music, and lots of snacks. Students also enjoyed learning how to make their own Israeli-style hummus from scratch at the Hummus Making Workshop.

Israel Week concluded with an Israel-themed Shabbat dinner, where students reflected on these meaningful events, shared stories, and celebrated Israel’s resilience through community and tradition.

Rutgers University, New Brunswick (Rutgers Hillel)
While it may have the same name as UM’s celebration, Rutgers Hillel took Israel Week in a different direction, while also hosting a wide variety of impactful events. The week began with Israel Week-themed tables outside the student center, featuring educational opportunities and plenty of fun giveaways. The next day, Jewish students hosted a pop-up shuk on campus where students could shop for Israel-themed clothes, accessories, and other goodies.

Rutgers Hillel also held an Israel Week art exhibit inside their building, featuring artwork that showcased students’ personal connections to Israel. Later in the week, students gathered together for a Yom Ha’atzmaut barbecue to celebrate Israel’s independence in community with one another, a theme that carried over to their Israel-themed Shabbat, which closed out the week.

Binghamton University (Hillel at Binghamton)
At Hillel at Binghamton, students participated in an annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Carnival, which highlights and supports a different philanthropic effort in Israel each year. This year, the charity selected was Larger than Life, an organization that supports Israeli families affected by pediatric cancer. 

 The Pipe Dream, Binghamton University’s student paper, reported that Hillel partnered with several organizations to host the carnival, including the Campus Bible Fellowship and Alpha Epsilon Pi. Activities included pin the tail on the camel, Israeli flag making, and a photo booth with backdrops of famous sites in Israel. As Ellie Spivak, vice president for programming at Hillel and a third-year student said, “Israel is a diverse country with so many different types of people, different perspectives, and although Israel serves as a safe haven for the Jewish people, I believe everyone can connect to its rich culture, history, and beautiful land.”

We love seeing everything Jewish students did to celebrate Israel and its 77 years of resilience and rich culture. Curious what celebrations looked like on other campuses? Check out more on Hillel International’s Instagram.

The post Celebrating Israel’s 77th Birthday — Hillel Style! appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Honoring Memories and Connections on Yom HaZikaron

Author

Shirly A.

Date

April 29, 2025

In 1943, my great-grandmother escaped the Warsaw Ghetto to give birth to my grandfather. She asked one of her Christian friends to hide him, which is how he survived when she was eventually taken to the gas chambers and murdered. 

Until my grandfather was nine years old, he had no idea he was Jewish. He grew up in a Christian community in Poland, and had to practice Christianity — that’s what kept him safe until the Jewish Agency for Israel rescued him and brought him to Israel as part of the Youth Aliyah. 

Despite the turmoil and pain of my grandfather’s childhood, he raised his children to be proud Jews and proud Israelis. So when I had the opportunity to give back to the Jewish Agency for Israel, the organization that rescued him, it felt like everything came full circle. As a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow, I’m paying that rescue forward: creating connections with students, helping them feel proud to be Jewish, and to be fully comfortable with who they are — never feeling like they have to apologize for or hide their Jewish identities.

In thinking about planning our  program for Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, I drew on that inspiration, along with an important lesson I learned while being on campus after October 7, 2023. When I helped students connect with the humanity of the people who were murdered and taken hostage in the attacks that occurred that day, it helped them understand the scope and impact of the tragedy. For example, on the anniversary of 9/11, my students and I took chocolate chip cookies that we baked in memory of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin (who loved chocolate chip cookies) to the local police station to thank them for their service and for protecting our Jewish community. That act of service helped my students and me remember Hersh as a whole person and it gave the students the opportunity to connect with broader communities on campus. 

So this year for Yom HaZikaron, rather than trying to tell every story, we will honor my cousin, Ron Afrimi, who died fighting in Gaza. We ordered a bench for the backyard of the Hillel building, dedicated to Ron and all of the beautiful souls who have been lost since October 7. A few Jewish students came to paint kalaniot, anemones, Ron’s favorite flower, on the bench. We will say kaddish in Ron’s memory, and prayers to keep the soldiers safe and for the safe return of the hostages. 

As my students helped with the dedication, the painting, and preparing the prayers, they listened to Ron’s story and it became more real to them. It helped connect them to the sacrifice that so many people have made to keep the Jewish homeland of Israel free.

The Jewish community has always faced difficult times. But we have always stayed together, and supported one another, through good times and bad. From my grandfather, arriving in a new country as a refugee, to my students living proudly as Jews in the face of hate on campus — we are all connected. May the memories of every soldier who has died in service of the State of Israel and every victim of terror murdered because they were Jewish remind us of that connection and inspire us to stay strong and tell their stories. 

The post Honoring Memories and Connections on Yom HaZikaron appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Inspired by Their Experiences, Interns in Fellowship: Ambassadors for Birthright (FAB) are Paying it Forward

Author

Hillel International

Date

April 4, 2025

For over 25 years, Birthright Israel has sent young Jews on free, immersive trips to Israel, offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore their Jewish identity. Every year, Hillel organizes dozens of campus-specific, and national trips, connecting Jewish students and young professionals to their Jewish roots, to Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, and, upon return, helps them forge new ties to their Jewish communities. 

This year, through a new Hillel International fellowship opportunity, some of those Birthright alumni and future Birthright alumni are leading the way in peer-to-peer relational Birthright recruitment and are introducing others on their campus to the same type of life-changing experience.

Fellowship: Ambassadors for Birthright (FAB) creates community and leadership development opportunities for students who are passionate about introducing their peers to the power and inspiration of a Birthright Israel trip. FAB participants are selected by their campus IACT coordinators, who inspire and support young adults on their Jewish journeys before, during, and after trips to Israel.

“Birthright [Israel] has given me so much,” said Chelsea Horwitz, a fourth-year student at the University of Central Florida and a FAB ambassador. “I think it is so special, especially in these times as a Jewish community, to have something like Birthright [Israel] for Jewish students…to be able to embrace your Judaism, find your own Jewish story.”

As part of a yearlong cohort experience, FAB interns connect with and recruit Birthright Israel-eligible students, and plan at least one event per semester to promote Birthright Israel on their campus. 

“My Birthright trip was the most memorable trip of my life,” said Jessica Brashear, a fourth-year student at Arizona State University and one of the fellowship’s two student co-chairs. “And [the opportunity] to help other students go to such a special place and hopefully have the same amazing experience really drew me in.”

Another important part of FAB is sharing recruitment ideas and strategies across campuses. In the cohort’s monthly connection calls, they share successes and challenges, programming ideas, ways to bring recruitment and information about Birthright Israel into other Hillel activities like Purim carnivals or Shabbat dinners, and how tools like social media can help amplify their efforts.

“I think one of the toughest things for professionals to do is to actually stay connected to student needs,” said Jack Landstein, a fourth-year student at the University of Michigan, and the other FAB student co-chair. “How you advertise to students who have never been to Israel has really changed, especially since October 7. So it’s been great to be able to say, ‘This is how we should talk about this, and this is how we can make an impact and really translate Jewish joy experiences on campus into recruitment.’”

“Right now, one of the biggest questions we get is about safety,” Jessica said. “Especially because it’s so hard to comprehend the situation over there [in Israel] from here in the United States. But it’s been good to be able to say that Birthright wouldn’t send trips if it wasn’t safe, and to be able to speak from my own experience and say, you know, when I was there, I felt totally fine.”

In addition to supporting IACT coordinators’ Birthright recruitment efforts through relational engagement and peer-to-peer community building, FAB will build a strong pipeline of Birthright Israel and Onward participants, as well as a network of diverse student leaders within the broader Hillel movement. In its pilot year, FAB is on target to engage almost 1,000 students.

“This fellowship has really shown me how much I can do, and it’s so rewarding,” said Chelsea. “Every time even one person signs up for Birthright, it just helps me know that I’m part of their Jewish journey. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to grow and really talk about how much I love Birthright — if it’s even possible to put that into words.”

Applications for Hillel: Birthright Israel trips for Summer 2025 are now open. Not sure if a trip is right for you? Ask your campus Hillel professionals if you have an IACT coordinator or FAB intern — they’d love to help you decide!

The post Inspired by Their Experiences, Interns in Fellowship: Ambassadors for Birthright (FAB) are Paying it Forward appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Changing Hearts and Minds: An Interview with Hillel Teach-In Tour Educator Dalia Ziada

Author

Hillel International

Date

April 3, 2025

Responding to the unprecedented rise in global antisemitism and campus antisemitism following the October 7 attacks on Israel, Hillel International organized the Hillel Teach-In Tour, a program that brings experts, educators, and thought leaders to college campuses around the United States. Speakers include U.S. Ambassador and Georgetown University professor Dennis Ross, former Palestinian negotiator Ghaith al-Omari, and Egyptian writer and political analyst Dalia Ziada. Since the program’s inception in 2023, more than 30 thousand students and 150 campuses have participated in a Teach-In session.

To learn more about what it’s like to speak with students across the country as part of the Teach-In Tour, Hillel caught up with one of its many participating experts: award-winning writer, political analyst, and human rights activist Dalia Ziada. Check out her interview below.

Editor’s note: In sharing her experiences, Dalia references the actions of Hamas, as well as past terror attacks and violence. Please read with care.

Hillel International: By the end of this academic year, you will have visited 45 campuses with the Hillel Teach-In Tour which is incredible! How did you come to be involved with the Hillel Teach-In Tour?

Dalia Ziada: It’s unbelievable, actually! I didn’t expect in one year to visit that number of campuses, but it’s been a wonderful experience.

You know, I was forced to leave Egypt in 2023 after I publicly condemned Hamas. On my way to the United States, I really thought that I had left all the bad guys behind — all the extremists, the people trying to manipulate the truth, who are supporting Hamas. So it was a shock to see that their new battlefield was actually American college campuses, where young people are being targeted so aggressively. 

These are Americans who don’t necessarily have an Islamic or Arab background, but they’re being manipulated to support the rhetoric or narratives that groups like Hamas want them to support. So with my background, I felt like I could have a role in countering that. I started out on my own, visiting some campuses and doing talks, and that was when Hillel reached out to me and said, “We want to amplify what you’re doing. We want to help you keep doing it.”

Being part of this program has let me visit so many more campuses than I could have on my own, and it’s been amazing in so many ways. Nothing is as rewarding as the ability to affect the hearts and minds of young people, to help them see the world from a different perspective.

Hillel: In addition to being an educator and activist, you’re a political analyst, specializing in governance, geopolitics, and defense policy in the Middle East. How did you originally get involved in this kind of work? 

Dalia: I grew up in a very conservative environment in Egypt, one that was very hostile to Israel. I was 18 years old at the time of the Second Intifada in Gaza. I was an undergraduate student, and I remember my campus in Cairo being full of protests. There was a lot of misinformation about Israel, about the Jewish people, and about Judaism in general, so it was natural for me to join those protests. 

My perspective changed when the people organizing the protests, who I later learned were the Muslim Brotherhood, started burning flags — first the Israeli flag, then the American flag, and finally, the Egyptian flag. And it was really shocking to me, because at that moment, I just felt that those couldn’t be good people claiming that they were standing for a humanitarian cause while also doing something as bad as burning my flag. For me, it was this moment of, “Something’s wrong here.”

That was the moment I got out of the ideological box. I took a step back, and I decided to educate myself about the Islamists, about Judaism, about Israel, about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and about the geopolitics of the Middle East. 

Since then, it has become my passion to use education to change the conversation. I became an advocate of Muslim-Jewish dialogue, Arab-Israeli dialogue, and fighting against radical Islamists. I’m glad now that I’m able to bring that same opportunity of change to the young people who come to my lecture — to give them that same experience of cognitive dissonance that makes them ask questions about what they’re hearing and what they’re dealing with.

Hillel: You’ve been doing these visits as part of the Teach-In Tour since last spring. Has anything changed in the way students or campuses have approached your lectures?

Dalia: At the beginning, there was definitely some opposition — this was the time when the encampments were really at their height, and things were often very tense. People would try to interrupt my activities, interrupt the lectures, even harass the students who attended. But we insisted on continuing, and I’m so grateful to Hillel for not giving up, even in the midst of all that harassment and terrorizing.

I think a real turning point came in the last few months, especially after the ceasefire began. The propaganda theater that Hamas created in returning the hostages, especially, you know, the bodies of the Bibas family, the mother and her children — I think even the more radicalized students really started to see Hamas in a different way. It created that cognitive dissonance in the minds of those students who were supporting Hamas, thinking they were freedom fighters, and those students actually started coming to my lectures seeking the truth or at least an answer to their moral dilemmas.

Hillel: Are there moments from any of your visits that really stand out to you?

Dalia: Definitely. I remember having one conversation with a student who had been a member of Students for Justice in Palestine. He came up to me and said he’s been listening and thinking, and he’s changed his mind about a number of things. He said he isn’t exactly sure where to go from here, but he knows something wrong is happening in his movement, and he came to listen to me because he was curious to hear something different from what was being said to him, and it changed things for him.

Another moment that stood out was when two Egyptian students came to one of my lectures. Based on my experience with other Egyptian and Arab students who had come, I was expecting them to be protestors, and I started preparing for trouble. But it turned out that they actually come to Hillel regularly. They told me that with the food, the culture, even the type of students, it’s a place where they feel closest to home. And even though they’re treated badly by other Arab students for that connection, they still keep going.

One of the most meaningful experiences I had was immediately after that horrible spectacle Hamas made of the Bibas family. I was visiting campuses and speaking to students about the importance of peace and the potential for change, and while I was speaking, they were crying. And I don’t think I will ever forget it — the way Jewish students here in the United States were impacted. I think part of me wondered whether these students, who live so far away from what’s happening, should care. But when I saw the tears in their eyes and the pain they were experiencing, it made me so grateful that I could be there in that difficult moment to give a message of hope and solidarity to those students, and to let them know that I see this as my fight, too.

Hillel: What do you hope students — and anyone else who reads this article — will take away from your perspective and experiences?

Dalia: I hope that they know that there are Arabs who want peace with Israel, and that Hamas and other extremist groups don’t speak for all of us. We have this fight in common. And I would also encourage people to look outside of their own experiences, and learn from people who are different from them, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Hearing other perspectives, challenging what we’re taught, and being willing to be curious — it will make all the difference in helping you learn and grow.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Visit the Hillel Teach-In Tour website to learn more about the impact of these campus visits, the speakers, and to find a Teach-In event near you.

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Israel

Student Stories

Deepening Relationships and Connections at Israel Summit 2025

Author

Julia Nikkhoo

Date

March 24, 2025

Earlier this month, I traveled from New Hampshire to Chicago for the Hillel International Israel Summit. The information and lessons I learned energized and inspired me, and so did the connections I made and the community I felt throughout the summit.

The first plenary, where all the students, Jewish Agency Israel Fellows, stakeholders, and young alumni gathered in a massive ballroom to hear various speakers, was one of the most powerful moments of the summit. After sharing a Dartmouth Hillel hello with fellow Dartmouth student Oren Poleshuck-Kinel and our Israel Fellow Maya, Oren and I sat in the audience and cheered for Maya as she introduced Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, the first Druze-Israeli woman to serve in the Knesset. Maya is the first Druze Jewish Agency Israel Fellow, and the connection between the two women made the moment extra powerful.

Mreeh’s talk was electrifying, and I learned so much about complex identities, representation, and the power of resilience. Mreeh’s life story also is so inspiring. In addition to breaking barriers as the first female Druze member of Israel’s legislature, she was the first Druze woman to anchor a Hebrew-language news program on Israeli television. I was incredibly proud to see Maya standing up there, representing our Dartmouth community. 

The sense of shared celebration and support reminded me of the importance of community and gave me a renewed sense of vigor for tackling the challenges that I face on campus and in my own life. After congratulating Maya on her amazing moment, I attended a relational advocacy workshop. At Dartmouth, our Hillel and Aquinas House (the Catholic student center) have a great relationship, where we come together for everything from apple picking for Rosh Hashanah to canoeing in the Connecticut River. Hillel International Israel Action and Addressing Antisemitism Senior Manager Maddi Jackson talked to us about how to deepen those types of bonds, and her advice really resonated with me. She focused on approaching relationships not as a one-time effort, but as a long-term commitment rooted in trust and curiosity. 

In so many relationships, I feel like people tend to focus on what they have to gain, or where the other side is falling short of expectations. Maddi’s approach of giving all you can give and not fixating on what you gain is selfless and refreshing, and it’s advice I’m going to try and implement in my day-to-day life, and in relationships I build on campus. The highlight of the summit for me was when I had the chance to moderate a session with Sarah Hurwitz, a White House speechwriter during the Obama administration and author of “Here All Along,” a book about finding meaning and spirituality in Judaism. 

The minute I sat next to Hurwitz, she immediately put me at ease. Her talk included advice on showing rather than telling when having a difficult discussion, and grounding conversations in mutual trust. I especially loved her focus on always leading with empathy and understanding. If you’re not willing to listen to someone else, how can you expect them to listen to you? 

Sarah’s impact wasn’t just from what she had to say, but her warmth, friendliness, and expertise that made her session come to life. It gave me a new perspective on navigating difficult conversations, both at college and in my life more generally. Moving forward, I’m resolving to enter challenging conversations thoughtfully and directly, while leading with empathy.

At the end of the summit, as I waited for my taxi to the airport, the weight of what I had gained over the last two days really settled in. The conversations, the connections, and the insights left me feeling more grounded and energized. I left Chicago not just with new knowledge, but with a clear sense of what I want to accomplish back on campus, from celebrating my community’s wins and building stronger relationships, to communicating with more intentionality. I’m counting down the days until the next Israel Summit!

Julia is a junior at Dartmouth College, majoring in Economics and English. Originally from Los Angeles, Julia traded sunny California for East Coast snow. In between classes, Julia loves to ski, hike, and swim in the Connecticut River.  

The post Deepening Relationships and Connections at Israel Summit 2025 appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Top Five Memories from Hillel International Israel Summit 2025

Author

Hillel International

Date

March 5, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Student Leadership and Experience Took Center Stage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All Work and No Play? Not a Chance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Top Five Memories from Hillel International Israel Summit 2025 appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Campus Leaders Convene for Hillel’s Israel Summit

Author

Hillel International

Date

March 4, 2025

Largest pro-Israel student gathering of the year featured student leaders from across the world.

More than 500 pro-Israel student leaders, speakers, stakeholders, and young alumni convened in Chicago for Hillel International’s eighth Israel Summit – the largest gathering of pro-Israel students this year. This year’s summit focused on skill building, hostage education, and advocacy, with an emphasis on both Jewish identity and pride in the people of Israel.

Hillel International, the world’s largest Jewish college organization, brought together student leaders from more than 200 campuses worldwide to learn from top Israel community leaders and subject matter experts.

On the first day of the event, Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, told the students in attendance, “All of you have a unique opportunity right now to step into your strength… It is so important in this moment that you never, never apologize for who you are, what you believe, and what you hope to accomplish in this world.”

In addition to keynote remarks and conversations with speakers like Gadeer Kamal Mreeh,  a former member of the Knesset; Amos Hochstein, former U.S. special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs; and Jason Greenblatt, former White House Middle East envoy, student leaders took part in masterclass sessions and workshops featuring world-renowned journalists and experts in campus advocacy, Middle Eastern policy, and Title VI. 

Session facilitators included Lee Yaron, Haaretz journalist and author of “10/7: 100 Human Stories,” Amb. Dennis Ross, a William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Rachel Lerman, vice chair and general counsel at the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law; and Avi Mayer, the former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post. 

“When I look around this room, my heart bursts with hope. Because it is people like you who remind me that, no matter the differences between us, we are one people,” said Maya Shiloni, a junior at Harvard University and chair of the Israel Summit, at the gala plenary session Monday evening.  “We organize vigils, hold our university administrators accountable, and hang posters of the hostages until they are all home. We share the stories of our brothers and sisters that cannot do it themselves and make sure that the world knows Israel’s and the Jewish people’s strength,” she added.

When students return to campus, they will continue to benefit from Hillel’s Israel Leadership Network, the largest pro-Israel student leadership body, as they lead education and advocacy efforts on their campuses.

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