I’m trying to foster Jewish community virtually during COVID-19.
“My name is Octavio, but people call me Tavo.”
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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I’ve come to understand that I will never be ‘just Jewish’ or ‘just Latino.’
“Being Jewish and Latino are central parts of who I am.”
I decided to educate the student who ripped my mezuzah off my doorpost.
“When I was moving into my apartment at Michigan State University, someone said to me, ‘Do you have to hang up your mezuzah? Do you need to tell the entire world your Jewish?’ I said, ‘Yes, of course.’”
After our Hillel was vandalized on Yom HaShoah, our staff supported us.
“I was hundreds of miles away from campus, completing the semester online because of the coronavirus, when I received a flood of messages about an act of vandalism on Yom HaShoah.”
I am raising my son to be immensely proud of his Jewish identity.
“Judaism is more than my religion — it’s my identity.”
I merged my passions for art and Judaism by creating over 50 custom masks during COVID-19.
“You feel empowered when you’re a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Yoga became a creative, accessible gateway to Jewish connectivity.
“While Shabbat services have been an incredibly important part of my life, not everyone connects with our rich tradition by praying out of a book.”
We were almost homeless. That pushed me to live my Judaism through acts of social justice.
“In seventh grade, I grew up fast. My father was taken away to prison. This really hit hard, as my father played a huge part in my early life. What was even tougher was seeing my mom in the Intensive Care Unit that same month. ”
The unthinkable happened in Parkland. That fueled me to create a nonprofit.
“On February 14, 2018, I received frantic texts from my friends hiding from a shooter in their classrooms. I began to hyperventilate, worrying the unthinkable would happen in Parkland, Florida.”
Leaving home for college helped me realize I could be Jewish and Chinese.
“My dad is Jewish, and my mom is Chinese. Growing up, I noticed I was different from others in Boulder, Colorado.”
