A Day in the Life of a Springboard Fellow
Eitan Weinkle is the Springboard Fellow at the Ohio State University Hillel.
At least once a day in my role as a Springboard Fellow at The Ohio State University Hillel, I think about how much this work reminds me of the joy and meaning I found at Jewish summer camp. The parallels are everywhere: leadership development, moments of belonging, and an intentional focus on fun. Both camp and Hillel are places where young people learn, grow, and build lasting relationships.
Summer camp is just one of the Jewish experiences that shaped me as a Jewish leader and educator. Jewish day school, youth groups, and my own years as a Hillel student all taught me skills and values that I now draw on every day.
At the center of my work is supporting Jewish students. From the moment I walk into the building until I leave, helping students grow as leaders and build community is the heart of everything I do. One of my favorite ways to start the day is by advising the student executive board. Our meetings happen early, before most students want to be awake, but the energy the board brings is unmatched. Each week, someone steps up to take on a new project, pushes a peer to grow as a leader, or strengthens the group’s trust and friendships.
A tradition started by our co-presidents has become a highlight of these meetings. Each week, one board member teaches the group about something they are passionate about. Sometimes they share stories from travel, hobbies, or family. One particularly powerful moment came when a student spoke about helping raise her brother, who has special needs. She described how her family supports him in everything he needs, and how that support has brought them closer together. She also shared how that experience shapes her leadership style and motivates her work at Hillel. That moment of vulnerability became a turning point for our board, setting a standard for how we show up for one another.
After board meetings, I often switch into my role as a Jewish educator. Whether I’m teaching sessions for a Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF) cohort or leading our leadership fellowship, Building Leaders Today (BLT), I love learning alongside students. In JLF, it’s inspiring to watch students engage deeply with Jewish learning while also forming friendships through shared Torah study. In BLT, many participants are already highly engaged campus leaders. With a strong curriculum, guest speakers, and a culture of mutual support, the cohort brings leadership and learning together in powerful ways.
We intentionally invite speakers from across the Jewish community to give students examples of Jewish leadership in action. One of our most impactful speakers each semester is a community member who works as a trauma surgeon and is deeply connected to his Jewish identity. While his work is not explicitly Jewish, he shares how his Jewish values and experiences shaped his path. He often reflects on the impact Jewish summer camp had on him, and how it inspired a lifelong commitment to leadership and service. His story resonates deeply with students, many of whom say it helps them better understand how Judaism can shape their own education, career goals, and leadership.
Community is woven into everything I do. This year especially, it has been meaningful to watch the OSU Jewish community grow and thrive. Each day brings honest conversations, laughter, and shared moments of Jewish joy. From welcoming more than 150 first-year students at our opening Shabbat to a vibrant end of semester party with more than 200 students, the strength of our community is undeniable.
As I write this, Shabbat is only a few hours away, and the energy in the building is already building. Tables will soon be set with white tablecloths. Students will arrive for services and fill the space with song and prayer. We’ll gather for Shabbat dinner, sharing food, stories, and warmth. I’m looking forward to checking in with students about their classes, their weekend plans, and everything in between.
That feeling of support, trust, and mutual respect, the one I carry with me through Shabbat and through each day at Hillel, is what keeps this work meaningful – and it makes every day as a Springboard Fellow truly joyful.
Feeling inspired by Eitan and ready to make your own mark on Jewish student life? Applications to join the next cohort of Hillel International’s Springboard Fellowship are now open —and the deadline to apply has been extended to February 20, 2026!