News, stories, and updates from Hillel communities worldwide
61 results
Fifty colleges and universities across the U.S. now participating in Hillel International’s landmark Campus Climate Initiative to promote inclusion for Jewish students
The summer months mark the biggest gap between holidays in the Jewish calendar. They also contain the period of time known as the Three Weeks. Beginning with the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz and ending with the Fast of the Ninth of Av, Tisha B’Av, the Three Weeks are a time of mourning and commemoration of historical loss for the Jewish people.
Hillel professionals and university administrators from all three cohorts Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative (CCI) gathered this week at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill to share their experiences and their best practices in countering antisemitism and creating safe spaces for Jewish students on campus.
Many Hillels spent this Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, in conversation with survivors who stressed the importance of remembering the past, living with joy, and addressing injustices in the world.
At a time when Jews around the world are gathering with their family, friends, and communities to celebrate the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we are outraged to hear and see that a number of antisemitic incidents took place on or around campus on Rosh Hashanah, one of the most sacred Jewish holidays.
Jewish students are facing a steep rise in antisemitism on many of their college campuses. Hillel International, the largest and most inclusive Jewish student organization in the world, is substantially expanding its Campus Climate Initiative (CCI), a comprehensive program to foster a campus climate in which Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identity free of antisemitism, harassment, or marginalization. CCI, now in its third year, today announced the addition of 12 new campuses, along with five campuses expanding their participation, achieving a new total of 40 campuses nationwide.
On June 25, I was awarded the title of Miss Wyoming 2022, becoming the first Jewish woman with that honor in the 101 years of the program. This December, I will go on to compete for the title of Miss America. If I win, I will become only the second Jewish woman in history to be named Miss America. My personal icon, Bess Myerson, won the Miss America title in 1945 during the height of the Holocaust.
Florida Hillels have found an incredibly successful — and delicious — way to counter antisemitism on college campuses. “Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate,” which originated at University of Florida Hillel in 2020, spreads awareness about antisemitism. The event is simple: Sign a petition against antisemitism and receive a fresh bagel and T-shirt.
College and university presidents and diversity officers from across North America learned best practices and new tactics to improve the campus climate for Jewish students this week at the University Presidents Summit on Campus Antisemitism.
College and university presidents from across the United States will come together on April 11-12 for a summit on the unprecedented increase in antisemitic activity and the marginalization of Jewish students on campus. The summit is being presented by Hillel International and American Jewish Committee (AJC), in collaboration with the American Council on Education (ACE).
