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.”
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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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.”
My Judaism is no longer an inconvenience, but a rich, centuries-old tradition I cherish.
“Now that I’m older, I take pride in setting myself apart to practice Judaism. I don’t see it as an inconvenience, but as an honor to be a part of a tradition that is thousands of years old.”
As I continue embracing my Blackness, I know there’s also room to embrace my Judaism.
“I am biracial. My dad is Black and Christian, and my mom is white and Jewish.”
Jews of Color have always been in the picture. We’re just easily overlooked and undermined.
“My freshman year, I joined Hillel Race Talks, a committee to keep conversations about diversity in the Jewish community alive on the Brandeis campus.”
Growing up in an interfaith family shaped my experiences as a Jewish woman.
“Growing up in an interfaith family shaped my own experiences as a Jewish woman. I learned that the more we embrace different traditions and listen to different perspectives, the more we can learn and grow.”
I learned there are so many ways for me to belong and be Jewish on my own terms.
“As a child, I grew up without any connection to Judaism.”
I had lost sight of how important Judaism was to me. Hillel helped me remember that.
“After I became a bat mitzvah, I let Judaism fade into the background of my life.”
