Hillel Student Leaders and Content Creators Come Together for the Hillel International Content Creators Forum
75+ students and Jewish content creators shared their experiences advocating for Jewish life, and how students can share their stories using social media
This week, over 75 Hillel student leaders joined more than 20 Jewish content creators and journalists in New York City to educate students on Jewish culture and digital advocacy as part of the third annual Hillel International Content Creators Forum. This year’s forum focused on cultivating a community of digital creators who use storytelling, visual arts, and online media to amplify Jewish voices, celebrate cultural identity, and engage broad audiences. Through workshops, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on training, this conference equipped students with the tools to advocate for and educate others about Israel and the Jewish people, while building a vibrant community that exchanged ideas and inspired one another.
The forum’s opening session began with insightful remarks from renowned global Jewish content creators, leaders, and journalists, including 2021’s Miss Israel Noa Cochva, digital creator Melinda Strauss, scholar Mijal Bitton, and Jewish Insider’s Gabby Deutch. The speakers discussed topics such as the value of creating and telling stories, using their lived experiences within the Jewish media space to guide thought-provoking discussion, while acknowledging the ever-growing importance of community.
Subsequent programming included conversation on how to master the digital art of sharing inspiring Jewish narratives, a showcase of content created during the forum, and interactive breakout labs that focused on developing personal stories and bringing those ideas to life. A special evening program on Sunday night featured Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman and her grandson Aron Goodman, who has shared his grandmother’s memories of her life in Auschwitz with millions of people on TikTok.
“I’m immensely grateful for the collaboration of our Hillel International professionals and the Jewish content creators who joined us. This initiative has not only fostered a space for meaningful Jewish storytelling but also set the stage for continued innovation in how we share and celebrate our diverse identities,” said Adam Lehman, Hillel International’s president and CEO. “I’m looking forward to Hillel’s continued collaboration with social media experts and our amplification and support of Jewish voices in the digital world.”
“Exploring how to share my Jewish identity on social media was an incredibly meaningful experience, both personally and professionally,” said Shiri Gil, a Columbia University student. “I’m excited to use the skills I’ve gained to advocate for my beliefs and spread Jewish joy online.”
The success of the 2025 Hillel International Content Creators Forum underscored the vital role of collaborative learning for creators in the Jewish space.