Hillel Leadership Passport Program Gives Student Leaders a Fast Track to the JFNA General Assembly
Every year, Jewish Federations of North America bring Jewish communal leaders, philanthropists, professionals, and community partners from across North America together for their annual General Assembly. While themes and focus areas vary from year to year, the end goal is always the same: to foster unity, compassion, and strength within the Jewish community, tackle the most pressing issues of the day, and set the Jewish communal agenda for the coming year.
This year, thanks to Hillel International’s Leadership Passport, over 60 Jewish college students representing over 30 campus Hillels attended the General Assembly as participants, panelists, and representatives of the next generation of Jewish leaders. This new initiative, designed to elevate and expand Jewish student experience, connects outstanding students with conferences and gatherings hosted by Hillel’s partners, and provides experiences and expertise they can bring back to campus to energize and strengthen their Jewish communities.
The Leadership Passport also offers professionals and community leaders the chance to hear directly from college students, who can share a critical and important perspective in conversations about the future of Jewish communal life.
“Spending time with these incredible students at the GA these past few days reinforced that they’re not on a path to becoming leaders — they already are strong leaders, making significant contributions to their Jewish communities on campus,” said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International. “We launched the Leadership Passport to further empower these high potential young leaders with enhanced networks, skills and confidence that will enable them to take their leadership to the next level, in ways that will shape their Jewish student communities, and the broader Jewish present and future.”
“College campuses have been such a hot topic throughout the past years, often making national headlines,” explained Maya Weisberg, president of Cornell Hillel. “As a student, it can sometimes be frustrating to have your stories told for you by those who are not really living on campus.”
Weisberg was one of three student panelists who took part in the “Voices from Campus: The Realities of Jewish Student Life Today” program, moderated by Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman. Over the course of the discussion, Weisberg and her fellow panelists reflected on both the obstacles and opportunities they encounter on campus, the support that makes a difference, and the innovative ways they are creating spaces of belonging, leadership, and authentic Jewish expression.
“I was able to share my real experiences as a Jewish college student and share insights about the resilience, dedication, and strength of Jewish collegiate communities,” Weisberg said. “Being invited not only to attend but also to take part in this conference is a meaningful reminder that our efforts make a difference and that others see and appreciate our efforts. After the panel, attendees came up to me to discuss and it was so incredible to hear that they had truly learned something new about what it is to be a Jewish college student.”
“It means so much to me because I know people want to hear what I have to say and want to give me a seat at the table,” said Aidan Herzlinger, president of Hillel at Baruch College and one of the other student panelists. “We are the future of the Jewish community and our experiences on campus have prepared us to take on the reins as the next leaders of the Jewish community.”
All of the students who attended the General Assembly through the Leadership Passport were nominated as top leaders by their campus Hillels. When asked, participants shared that networking with Jewish professionals, representing Jewish college students’ voices, and being inspired by other Jewish community leaders were their top motivations for attending.
“General Assembly is the event where the Jewish community gathers each year to examine our most difficult challenges and set the agenda for how to confront them. Many of these challenges look toward building a strong and sustainable Jewish future. Having Hillel students participate at the event both enriches it by bringing an intergenerational perspective, and helps up develop the next generation of Jewish communal leaders,” said Jewish Federations of North America President and CEO Eric D. Fingerhut.
To help students lean into that goal, the General Assembly offered a special breakfast program, featuring a panel called “Build Your Legacy: Leadership and Careers in the Jewish Community,” moderated by Hillel International’s Israel Leadership Network chair Adam Saar, in conversation with Mark Wilf, Minnesota Vikings owner and chairman of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel, and Julie Platt, national campaign chair and past board chair of the Jewish Federations of North America.
“Many Jewish and Zionist students feel like they have to live double lives on campus – taking pains to hide their activity in the Jewish community from outsiders,” Saar explained. “Through the panel, I’m hoping to help students in attendance feel that their Jewish and Zionist activism has a rightful place alongside their academic and professional aspirations.”
In addition to being able to lend their voices to the conversations around issues most important to college students, and to network and learn, the Leadership Passport also gave students the chance to reflect on their experiences with Hillel itself. Through conversations, panels, and a special reception for Hillel professionals, students, and supporters, they shared that participating in Hillel can be a transformative pathway to a lifetime of Jewish joy.
“Hillel has been my anchor, my advocate, my family, and my springboard into leadership,” added Tessa Hewitson, a student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a member of the Israel Leadership Network.
“Through Hillel, I have gained access to community partners, student networks, engagement opportunities, and a seat at tables where young voices are desperately needed,” she continued. “Most importantly, Hillel helped me transform hardship into purpose. They ignited my passion to fuel Jewish joy and gave me the confidence, guidance, and platform to do it. I am the person I am today because Hillel believed in me, invested in me, and consistently stands beside me.”
If the voices of passionate leaders like Maya, Aidan, Adam, Tessa, and the other participants in the Leadership Passport are any indication, the future is looking bright!