The Algemeiner: Clemson University to Launch First Ever Hillel International Office for Jewish Students
Originally published on August 20, 2026 in The Algemeiner, “Clemson University to Launch First Ever Hillel International Office for Jewish Students,” by Dion J. Pierre, shares the announcement that Clemson University will open their first professionally-staffed Hillel this fall. Here are excerpts from the piece:
“Academia in the regional south is boosting its reputation as a safe haven for Jewish students with Hillel International announcing last week the launch of its first ever undergraduate office for support and mentorship on the campus of Clemson University in South Carolina.
Clemson’s growing Jewish population precipitated the initiative, Hillel said last Wednesday, noting that it has increased “fivefold” in recent years…
Speaking to The Algemeiner on Wednesday, Clemson Hillel faculty adviser and historian Rebecca Shimoni Stoil said that Clemson pulled this off by, more than other institutions, acting quickly to respond to rising anti-Jewish hatred.
‘Clemson has been wonderful, and our students would say that much of the same,” she explained, noting that students are also drawn to the South Carolina sun. “It’s been a positive environment, and it continues to be a positive environment, allowing students to build Jewish community in truly meaningful and invigorating ways…’
Speaking via press release, Hillel International CEO Adam Lehman said, ‘Clemson’s growing Jewish student community deserves a professionally staffed Hillel that can provide Jewish students their fuller opportunities for Jewish joy, pride, and leadership. Strengthening Hillel at Clemson is part of our broader focus on ensuring robust Hillel presence and Jewish campus life at schools in the southeast and the southwest with rapidly growing Jewish student populations.'”