Small Acts of Light With Lasting Impact
When I was younger, celebrating Hanukkah often felt like a reminder of how my family was different from the others at my school.
Hillel Stories
What’s happening on campus? Hear from students, professionals, and Hillel community members whose lives have been impacted by Hillel and who impact the world with their voices and stories. Share your story with us!
67 results
Hanukkah Traditions Light the Way for Community and Belonging
Ella Luhrssen is a first-year student at the University of Houston. In celebration of Hanukkah this year, Ella shared her experience of finding community and belonging through Hanukkah at Houston Hillel. Hanukkah has always been a magical experience for me. The special foods, the dancing lights, and the whimsical shapes formed by the melting wax are […]
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.
How Shabbat is Helping Me Navigate Post-Graduate Life
As I’m writing this, my graduation cap and gown are already carefully tucked away in the closet of my childhood room. I can’t believe how fast my time in college flew by.
Jewish American Heritage Month: Building a Joyful and Authentic Jewish Life
When Lauren Azrin arrived at Dartmouth College, she came with a clear intention: she wanted to be part of the Jewish community.
This Jewish American Heritage Month, I’m Reflecting on My Israeli Jewish American Identity
In 2005, my family flew from Israel to Minnesota to visit my aunt for the High Holidays, and decided to stay permanently. We quickly became very involved in our local Jewish community: We kept kosher, went to synagogue every weekend, and made Shabbat a big part of our lives.
Jewish American Heritage Month: Honoring My Jewish Heritage By Speaking Up
Growing up, I was the only Jewish girl in my elementary school class. I was six the first time I had to miss a birthday party because I was at synagogue for Yom Kippur. I loved my friends, but I always felt so alone.
Bringing Light to My Past and My Present with Hillel and Hanukkah
About two years ago, I found one of my grandmother’s diaries in a corner of my family’s basement. It was very old, the pages were torn, and inside, I found glimpses of her life, including grocery lists and a family secret: my grandmother was Jewish, and so am I.
Carrying a Family Name and Legacy – and Building a New Future
Editor’s note: An aspect of the Thanksgiving story that strongly resonates with many people in the Jewish community is the experience of immigrants trying to create a home in a new place. This Thanksgiving, we spoke to a student whose story shows the lasting impact of seeking a new home and a new future. I […]
My First Shabbat in College
New beginnings can be scary. Whether you’re a wide-eyed first-year or a seasoned senior, stepping into the new school year can be filled with excitement
