Hillel’s ‘Mr. International’ Looks Back on 20 Years of Hillel in the Former Soviet Union

In the early 1990s, as the Iron Curtain fell in Europe, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Hillel Director Yossie Goldman noticed something of a trend—Russian Jews were arriving at the university and joining Hillel in droves. Through conversations with these Russian students, Goldman realized that there were more than 1.5 million Jews who remained in Russia, and he began to reflect on how Hillel could help them seize this newfound opportunity to form a strong Jewish connection.

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How This Plague Made Us Stronger

At 2:30pm on March 11, 2020, just as our sephardic Jewish learning programs were finishing, Governor Cuomo shut down the CUNY schools for the rest of the semester. We were worried. Not because many of our secular students would lose their only Jewish outlet, or our traditional and orthodox students would lose their only secular environment, and not only because our students would lose their communal space for programs and personal growth, but because so many of our students relied on Hillel for some of their most basic needs.

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Scaling Small for Deep Impact

While Gen Z, those born after 1995, are often known for being “digital natives,” like all humans before them they overwhelmingly crave in-person connection. Their adolescent digital lives are often disrupted in college by life-changing interactions, which we all recall from our own college experiences. Of the many assaults of 2020, the deleterious effects of the pandemic on college students and their quest for human connection should rank high.

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Cultivating global Jewish connection when travel is paused

By using online platforms like Zoom, Hillel International has strengthened its global programming efforts, connecting Jewish students thousands of miles apart. And for all those travel restrictions, it’s certainly been a very global year for Hillel.

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Hillel International Launches First “Winterfest” to Create New Learning Communities Amid January Pandemic Challenges

Supported by Jewish Community Response and Impact Fund, Maimonides Fund and Jim Joseph Foundation, Winterfest creating 170 small campus-based groups in nine countries

With many colleges and universities delaying the start of the spring semester to the end of January, or forced to continue substituting in-person classes with virtual learning, Hillel International, the world’s largest Jewish campus organization, is launching its first-ever Winterfest throughout January, connecting students through some 170 small-setting experiences at universities in nine countries to provide meaningful Jewish learning to students on and off campus while countering increasing social isolation during the pandemic’s intensifying second wave.

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And that's a wrap on HIGA/GLC 2020

Last week, December 14-15, 2020, Hillel International hosted its first virtual, seventh annual Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA) and fourth Global Leadership Conference (GLC).

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Hillel International Honors Outstanding Professionals and Campuses

At virtual Global Assembly, world’s largest Jewish campus organization recognizes exemplary individuals, outstanding campus Hillels despite challenging year

Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, today honored outstanding Hillel professionals and campus Hillels creating innovative Jewish experiences and meaningful connections throughout the past year and amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Black-Jewish Relationship Series sparks dialogue, connection at Northeastern University Hillel

Students at Northeastern University’s Hillel this semester took a deep dive into the dynamics between the Black and Jewish communities, with the “Black-Jewish Relationship Series.” The goal was to give students of both communities “space to be together,” says Yeshi Mengistu, the Hillel’s Jewish Agency Israel Fellow and Director of Israel Engagement & Education.

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Hillels get creative with in-person and online programming

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Hillel directors and staff across the United States got creative with online programming. Now nine months into the pandemic and with virtual programming the norm, some Hillels have generated even more innovative events to enhance Jewish life on campus — with and without the warm glow of a computer screen.

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Jewish-Latinx students find home to celebrate dual identity

J-Lats is one of several Hillel-affiliated organizations across the country that provide space for students who identify as Jewish and Latinx to connect with others who share their dual identity and to spread awareness.

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Thousands of high school students, parents join first-ever Hillel Virtual College Fair

Hillel International hosted over 2,000 high school students and parents at Hillel International’s first-ever virtual college fair this weekend, offering a safe alternative to traditional in-person college fairs that have been cancelled as North American continues to battle the resurging pandemic.

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“Radical pluralism” gives Hillel of Rockland its unique flair

With a diverse population of Jewish students, Hillel of Rockland is practicing “radical pluralism” bringing Jewish students of different backgrounds together.

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Deni Avdija on never giving up and prevailing under pressure

Deni Avdija might be one of this year’s hottest NBA draft picks, but he didn’t always know that basketball would be his destiny.

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Challah for Hunger

Challah for Hunger chapters across the nation are creating a communal space for all students, while fighting food insecurity on campuses— a reality that 39% of college students now face.

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Remembering Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l

Hillel International pays tribute to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l, a leader of unparalleled stature and influence in today’s Jewish community and beyond.

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A Mezuzah for Mary Washington University

An inspiring mezuzah-hanging ceremony on Tuesday officially opened the magnificent new Maxine and Carl D. Silver Hillel Center at Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, VA.

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Young, Rural and Jewish

From a young age, Marisa Swanson was instructed to lie about her Jewish faith if anyone in her small town asked.

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It All STEMs from Here

Hillels are engaging STEM students by fusing academics with Judaism

Campus Hillels have taken note of the rising importance of STEM fields and have responded by creating spaces for Jewish coders, mathematicians and scientists to unite.

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Princeton Hillel launches Shabbat Wellness Initiative to support students during coronavirus

The Princeton University Hillel: Center for Jewish Life launched a new Shabbat Wellness Initiative this fall to help students deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their mental health.

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Hillel, Secure Community Network Launch Program to Enhance Security on College Campuses

Security Director to Provide Support and Training Throughout Hillel Movement

Hillel International and the Secure Community Network announced today the launch of the Hillel Safety and Security Program to provide security support, training, and incident response across the Hillel movement.

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