Your support is vital for Jewish college students.
During this difficult time, and always, supporting Jewish students is at the heart of Hillel’s mission. We are working hard — powered by generous supporters like you — to ensure that Jewish students around the world get the support, comfort, and care they need.
5 Ways Hillel is Supporting Jewish College Students
Hillel International is responding to a rising need by distributing security and safety grants totaling over $1M so far to campus Hillels around the world. This funding will help increase Hillels’ security presence and protect Jewish students on their campuses, making it easier for students to proudly express their Jewish identity without fear in the safe space that is their campus Hillel.
Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman has met with the FBI, Department of Justice, and Department of Homeland Security to advocate for increased need to protect Jewish and Israeli students, investigate hate crimes, and provide for their public safety on college campuses.
Hillel International partnered with the ADL (the Anti-Defamation League), the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP to launch the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL), a free legal protection helpline for students who have experienced antisemitism. Any student, family, faculty, or staff member can go to the CALL website or text “CALLhelp” to 51555 to report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism, or violence that may necessitate legal action.
Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means to urge Congress and the Federal Government to take action and support the efforts of Hillel and other Jewish organizations around security, Title VI enforcement, and antisemitism prevention.
We are providing campus professionals with legal support and providing Hillel staff and students with communications training as they navigate the increased levels of antisemitism on colleges campuses.
Our Campus Support Directors and Israel Action and Addressing Antisemitism Program (IAP) team have been deployed to campuses across the country to address student complaints, respond to BDS campaigns, and provide on-the-ground support whenever and wherever it is needed.
Hillel International, in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League and Secure Communities Network, established ReportCampusHate.org, a portal to report antisemitic and/or bias incidents targeting Jewish community members on North American college campuses.
Hillel partners with university leadership through the Campus Climate Initiative to create safe and supportive campus environments for Jewish students, faculty, and staff — and trains university administrators on best practices to respond to antisemitism when it happens. To date, 50 colleges and universities in the United States participate in the Campus Climate Initiative.
We are also working with campus Hillels to continue to urge college and university presidents to issue strong statements condemning the atrocities committed by Hamas, and pledge to ensure the safety of Jewish students. More than 60 colleges and universities have issued statements that directly condemn Hamas and show support for Jewish students — a direct result of Hillel’s advocacy.
During this challenging moment, Jewish students are looking for ways to process their grief in a safe and judgment-free way. Hillel prioritizes Jewish students’ access to mental health resources to safeguard their well-being. For many on campus, this time has been traumatic, especially as antisemitic incidents and rhetoric quickly rise. The need for mental health care programs, resources for parents, and training for Hillel professionals has grown dramatically—and Hillel is there for the Jewish students who need help.
Student Survey
A recent survey conducted by Hillel International and the Anti-Defamation League found an alarming rise in antisemitism and that Jewish students feel significantly less safe since the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. Your support ensures that Jewish college students remain resilient in these challenging times.
4 out of 5
Jewish students say that Hillel and Jewish spaces on campus are more important than ever
1 in 2
Jewish students report feeling unsafe on campus
73%
Of Jewish students experienced or witnessed antisemitism on campus
$1 million
In funding for increased security, mental health and wellness support, and Israel programming
Hillel in the News
Hillel continues to share our message of strength, solidarity, and resolve through national news outlets.
Hillel International CEO Op-Ed: The Battle for Campus Climate
Adam Lehman, Hillel International President and CEO, outlines the steps universities need take to ensure Jewish students are safe on campus.
Survey: Jewish students see spike in antisemitism
A recent poll conducted by Hillel International and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that 1 in 3 students feel unsafe on campus and 73% of Jewish students have seen or experienced antisemitism since the start of the school year.
Hillel Poland Director: Jewish community is more important than ever
As antisemitism rises around the globe, Jewish students are finding Jewish community and Hillel increasingly important. Hillel Poland Executive Director Magda Dorosz shares her experience in providing safety and care for Jewish young adults in Poland.
Op-Ed: Why University Presidents Failed Their Tests
Mark Rotenberg, VP for University Initiatives at Hillel International, shares his perspective on the Congressional testimonies of the three university presidents from Harvard, Penn, and MIT, and how they failed to protect Jewish students.
As University of Penn leaders resign, students say ‘a lot still needs to change’
Jewish students speak out after University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill and Scott Bok, Chairman of Penn’s board of trustees, resigned from their positions.
Resources for Students
We’ve heard how challenging this moment is for students on campus as they deal with overwhelming feelings of isolation, fear, and sadness since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. We want them to know: they are not alone. Our student support page is ever-updating with local university resources, mental health counseling, and tips for navigating conversations with friends.
Community Briefing: Protecting, Supporting, and Empowering Jewish Students Today
In this urgent and important virtual briefing held on November 16, Hillel International shared more about all the ways we have been protecting and supporting Jewish college students at every level since the attack on Israel, all while remaining steadfast in our mission to support Jewish students and families on campus, and at home. Watch the video below to learn more.
Support Hillel’s Critical Work
We are so grateful to have caring and generous supporters who ensure that Hillel continues to be a safe space and home away from home for Jewish students. Now more than ever, Jewish students need Hillel. Thank you — your impact is real, and your support is critical.