When They Came Home
When news broke of a deal to release the hostages held in Gaza, time itself seemed to pause.
Topic: Hillel Stories
55 results
“Best of Both Worlds”: Hispanic Heritage Month Reflections
Every month felt like Hispanic Heritage Month growing up in Miami. I heard more Spanish than English spoken on the streets, Cuban coffee and pastelitos dominated cafes, and my family and our neighbors shared an unspoken past – we chased the American Dream right to South Florida. We survived, thrived, and lived as Latinos, Jews, […]
“A Place for Everyone”: Hispanic Heritage Month Reflections with Sofie Ramirez Soto
From mid-September to mid-October, Hispanic Heritage Month invites communities across the United States to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. At Hillel, it’s also an opportunity to highlight the diverse identities and stories that make up today’s Jewish student life. This year, we spoke with Sofie Ramirez Soto, Jewish life […]
Finding New Meaning in Ancient Traditions
When I was younger, I struggled with saying the vidui prayer, the core ritual of repentance and atonement on Yom Kippur.
Words of Gratitude and Blessing for a New Year
As Jewish students celebrate the High Holidays at Hillels across the world, they are supported and guided by their Hillel staff. We are honored to share words of that support and guidance through excerpts from an erev Rosh Hashana talk given by Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation executive director UC Berkeley Hillel.
Welcome to Hillel: Finding My Place at College
When I think back to the first few days of my college experience at the University of Illinois, I remember feeling a mix of excitement and fear.
Welcome to Hillel: Finding Community Through Discussion and Laughter
Going away to college can be daunting, as you leave behind the familiarity of home. I remember worrying I wouldn’t find a place that feels like home and would never fully adjust to living somewhere new. That is, I felt that way until I started going to Texas Hillel.
Welcome to Hillel: Find Your Unique Path
The week before moving into college at Central Michigan University felt terrifying to me. I was moving away from everything I knew, and leaving the vibrant Jewish community I grew up in. The college I chose had a small Jewish community, which was an unfamiliar experience for me. Thankfully, even before I set foot on campus, I knew to look for Hillel.
A Heart of Many Rooms: Cultivating Jewish Identities
The first time you step onto a college campus, you cross a threshold. You leave behind one way of life and enter another, a new and exciting space where you’ll learn how to do hard things.
Why Back-to-School Still Inspires Me as a Hillel Professional
I’ve always loved school. From sharpening fresh pencils to setting new goals, the back-to-school season feels like a reset button for me.
