How Hillels Are Celebrating Jewish Graduates
When severe storms forced the University of Maryland to postpone its main commencement ceremony by 24 hours, thousands of families suddenly had to rethink graduation plans. But for many observant Jewish students and their loved ones, the new ceremony date created an even more difficult reality: it now fell on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, meaning they would be unable to attend.
Within hours of the announcement, Maryland Hillel stepped in.
What could have felt like an abrupt and disappointing end to four formative years instead became something deeply meaningful. Hillel staff quickly organized a full Jewish graduation celebration for over 70 seniors and their families, complete with a processional, music, printed programs, speeches, and a diploma presented by the university president, Dr. Darryll Pines. With the whirlwind preparations completed, students who thought they might miss out on commencement entirely instead were surrounded by community, celebration, and joy.
“Finding out that I would miss my graduation because it was moved to the first night of Shavuot was incredibly disappointing. Maryland Hillel turned what could have been a really difficult moment into one of the most meaningful nights of my college experience,” said Emma Steinhause, a UMD graduating senior. “Having our Jewish community and university leadership come together so quickly to celebrate us made me feel truly seen and supported.”
“This event wouldn’t have been possible without our staff, especially our phenomenal Development Manager Leah Bregman, who pulled together last night’s deeply meaningful Jewish graduation in a matter of hours,” said Rabbi Ari Israel, CEO of Maryland Hillel. “We were honored to create a space to celebrate our graduating seniors and the amazing people they have become over the last four years.”
Moments like this are part of what makes graduation season at Hillel so special. Across campuses, seniors are not only receiving diplomas. They are celebrating the friendships, traditions, leadership opportunities, and Jewish communities that shaped their college experience.
At Duke University, Jewish students marked graduation with a special Jewish baccalaureate ceremony that honored both their accomplishments and the memories and community that carried them through college.
“The Jewish Baccalaureate was such a meaningful way to mark the end of my time at Duke,” said Michelle Brown, a graduating senior at Duke University. “Having a ceremony centered around the Jewish community, reflection, and tradition made the transition feel incredibly personal and intentional… and like stepping into the next chapter with a community that has meant so much to me.”
At the University of Florida (UF), Hillel at UF hosted its annual pre-graduation L’Chaim event, celebrating the friendships, leadership, and moments of belonging that made campus feel like home.
“Schilit Hillel at UF’s graduation L’Chaim was the perfect way to close out my Jewish involvement in college,” said Lauren Robbins, graduating senior at UF. “I was able to show my family the place that became my home away from home and reminisce on all the memories and experiences.”
“What makes Schilit Hillel’s L’Chaim so special is that… we get to hear directly from our graduates about how Hillel shaped their college journey, in their own words and from their own hearts,” said Jenna Hasher-Gibson, assistant director of development at the Schilit Hillel at the University of Florida. “There is nothing more moving than listening to a student speak about what Hillel has meant to them.”
In the Midwest, the UW Hillel Foundation hosted a special commencement lunch at the University of Wisconsin-Madison featuring student speakers, a presentation of the graduating class, and a joyful send-off for seniors and their families. Students arrived in caps and gowns, joined by friends, loved ones, and even a few notable guests, including outgoing Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor, and, naturally, UW’s mascot, Bucky Badger.
Graduation season reminds us that Hillel is never just about four years on a campus. It is about the community that helped Jewish students feel seen, supported, and proud of who they are, and the communities these students will continue building long after they leave campus.
To the Class of 2026: Thank you for letting us be part of your college experience. Mazel tov on your graduation. We cannot wait to see what comes next.