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.
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!
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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…and a touch of uncertainty. I remember my first Shabbat of my first welcome week vividly—the mix of emotions, the anticipation of what was to come, and the warm feeling of being welcomed into a new community. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back (to school)!
Anxiety, Antisemitism, and Acts of Love and Kindness: Graduating in the Spring of 2024
“Did you see they started an encampment this morning?” I did not know who “they” were as I read my friend’s text on the final day of classes for the spring semester, but I made sure to visit the Emory University quad to see it with my own eyes. There were a couple dozen mostly […]
On Yom HaShoah, Reflecting on the Family I’ve Lost and Found
I grew up feeling disconnected from my Judaism. I was raised in a household with one Jewish parent, and after my maternal grandfather’s death while I was in elementary school, my family’s engagement with Judaism fizzled away. It wasn’t until I was in my senior year of high school, on the cusp of graduation and […]
Honoring the Generations that Came Before Us
As the first member of my family to be born in the United States, I think a lot about my family’s legacy and my connection to the generations that came before me. This shows up in a lot of ways, but most prominently when I think about my education, and the way I connect with […]
