Moments of Joy from the First 24 Hours of HIGA 2025
This week, 1,100 Hillel professionals, partners, and sponsors gathered in Boston for the 2025 Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA), celebrating the joy and belonging that Hillel brings to Jewish students across the world.
HIGA co-chairs Magda Dorosz, executive director of Hillel Poland, and Rabbi Gabe Greenberg, executive director of Penn Hillel, welcomed everyone to the opening plenary and shared their hopes and intentions for the conference. “Let’s meet someone new, whom you’ve never talked to before, approach someone from a different type of Hillel or from a different country, and exchange experiences,” Dorosz recommended. “The more we are connected, the more possibilities that creates for our students to be connected, and the closer our global family will be.”
Rabbi Greenberg added, “No matter where you’ve traveled from, we want you to feel at home here over the next three days. This is a place for Hillel professionals to come together in a space where we all feel welcome.”
In a video message that emphasized Jewish joy and inclusion, Hillel International Student Cabinet Co-Chair Ariela Moel shared what Jewish joy means to students like her. “Being proudly Jewish matters, because in a time where students are often told to hide their identity or hide their symbols or mute their voices, showing up with pride becomes an act of courage and continuity,” she said. “It’s for our people, for our history, and also for our future.”
Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman also helped set the stage for how HIGA 2025 would highlight the organization’s work to amplify Jewish joy and belonging, inclusion and resilience, and Jewish student leadership. “It’s about the unique and powerful ways that we, as Hillel, foster Jewish joy, meaning and connection,” Lehman said. “I want to remind everyone here that we’re all in exactly the place we should be, doing exactly what we need to be doing based on our unique Hillel mission and role… Just as Jacob did for Joseph in this week’s Torah portion, “Vayeishev,” we are creating a unique and gorgeous communal coat of many colors.”
Below are some of our favorite moments from the opening plenary, including powerful stories from Hillel professionals, inspiring speakers like bestselling author Sarah Hurwitz and CNN commentator Van Jones, a soulful performance from Jewish bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain, and a surprise guest who brought laughter to everyone in the room:
Telling and honoring Hillel stories
An important part of the opening plenary was recognizing the heroic leadership of Hillel professionals who have risen to meet varied challenges, including the staggering rise in antisemitism following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Six professionals came onstage to share their stories in a powerful presentation entitled “Leadership in Action.” Rabbi Josh Bolton, executive director of Brown RISD Hillel; Kasi Shelton, executive director of Oklahoma Hillels; Elyana Funk, executive director of CU Boulder Hillel; Gary Brant, executive director of Tulane Hillel; Osik Akselrud, executive director of Hillel CASE; and Esther Abramowitz, Hillel International’s associate vice president for global Israel experiences, told stories of courage, ways they’ve cared for Jewish students, their commitment to building bridges, and their passion for helping students connect with their Jewish identities.
Shelton spoke about creating a new building for Oklahoma Hillels — a space for Jewish students to gather, connect with each other, and find belonging every day. “I wanted a safe, beautiful space for students to laugh and congregate, and proudly be Jewish. Because, most of all, what we want to show our students is that being part of a Jewish community matters. And that if they put themselves out there, really great things can happen.”
Akselrud reflected on how Hillel CASE has offered a joyful Jewish identity and community to Jewish young adults in Ukraine, many whose lives have been forever altered by war. “Students now want to spend [even] more time in Jewish settings, because they feel protected and safe at Hillel centers. At the same time they took more responsibility for Jewish life in Ukraine,” he said, adding, “And here we are today with thousands and thousands of Jewish lives flourishing. Hillel is a unique family.”
Celebrating Jewish leaders and allies
It wouldn’t be a Hillel International event without some star speakers. This year featured two incredible guests: CNN commentator Van Jones and former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz, both of whom are best-selling authors and steadfast supporters of the Jewish community.
Hurwitz and Jones offered takeaways from their experiences with speaking out against antisemitism and shared thoughtful messages for the gathered professionals in the room.
Hurwitz said, “I give you all so much credit for all the hard work you’re doing on campus to educate and support these young people. You all are giving Jewish students the tools to be proud, joyful, connected Jews while they are also engaged in the world… You are supporting them on their journey to decide what kind of Jews they want to be and what kind of impact they’ll have on the world.”
Meanwhile, Jones offered advice for Hillel professionals to bring back with them to campus, “Keep living and celebrating in joy,” he said. “Don’t let anybody steal your joy. Don’t let anyone steal the joy of your great people.”
Musical guest Nefesh Mountain joined the Hillel House Band to bring energy, spirit, and sound.
Music always plays a role at Hillel International gatherings, and this year was no exception! Nefesh Mountain, a bluegrass band known for their combination of American folk music with Jewish melodies, took the stage to applause throughout the night – accompanied at times by the Hillel House Band. With unique arrangements of traditional songs like “Hinei Matov” and bluegrass hits like “Regrets in the Rearview,” their spirited approach to traditional music was the perfect way to celebrate Jewish joy and resilience at the opening and closing of the plenary.
Surprise guest comedian Alex Edelman closed out the night with laughter.
The night ended with a set from Alex Edelman, an award-winning Jewish comedian. With humorous stories about Jewish identity, family, and Hillel, Edelman had over a thousand Hillel professionals laughing through his whole show.
During a more heartfelt moment, Edelman also thanked the Hillel professionals present for their incredible work supporting Jewish students and shared how much he appreciated being able to perform at HIGA 2025.
Looking for more highlights from HIGA 2025? Stay tuned for updates coming soon.