I watched TV last night for hours and hours. Once you start it is hard to stop. One story after another of fallen soldiers and people who have been killed in terrorist attacks. There was a beautiful and heartbreaking interview with Karnit Goldwasser. This is her first official Yom Hazikaron. She talked at Udi's grave about her life with him and the promise that she made to him that she would co... Read More >>

In 2004, when the television show American Idol was still in its early years, Hillels of Georgia created a fundraising event unlike any other the organization had produced. Modeled after the singing contest that had become a national phenomenon, Hillel Campus Superstar was developed to showcase statewide college talent while raising money for the organization in a fun and innovative way. ... Read More >>

Two weeks ago, I traveled with about 70 students to Tampa, Fla. to document them doing homework. That’s right. These students chose to spend their spring break doing homework! It wasn’t the same kind of homework they get from their professors in college, but rather it was homework in the literal sense, fixing up the exteriors of homes in the West Tampa area.

The students who chose to go ... Read More >>

Sitting at my desk, anticipating a much-needed Shabbat, I am heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend, Julian Sandler, Chairman of Hillel’s Board of Directors.

Julian was an intimate friend, teacher and mentor for me. Julian had a gift for blending his keen analytical abilities with his genuine warmth and humor. He believed... Read More >>

NEW YORK (JTA) -- Professor Jonathan Sarna recently wrote an article titled "Lessons from the Past" encouraging the Jewish community to hold onto its core values in spite of the current economic downturn. He recommended maintaining our empha... Read More >>

How do you teach the concept of klal yisrael, Jewish peoplehood?

Last week, I saw how one Jewish community makes klal yisrael come to life for students.

I was in Baltimore with Shavua Tov editor Max Orenstein to meet with Hillel activists from Odessa, Ukraine, and with recent returnees from Taglit-Birthright Israel: Hillel trips. Working together, Hillel and ... Read More >>

On the first days of Hillel’s Alternative Winter Break trips to Israel in late December, the 168 undergraduate and graduate students who came to do community service from more than a dozen campuses quickly learned how “alternative” their trip would be when some of their Israeli security escorts received text messages calling them to their army reserve units.

This is the stark reality of l... Read More >>