Dear Hillel: Finding Light When I Needed It Most
“Dear Hillel” showcases letters from graduating seniors reflecting on their experiences of joy and Jewish life with their campus Hillels. Alyssa Wallack, a fourth-year student at the University of Southern California, shares how finding her way to Hillel after the tragedy of October 7, 2023, changed her life for the better. Read Alyssa’s letter to Hillel:
Dear Hillel,
It’s no exaggeration to say that Hillel has truly changed my life.
Before the October 7 attacks on Israel, my involvement with Hillel was minimal. I knew it existed on campus, but I hadn’t made the effort to connect. I was busy with classes, my sorority, and the usual college activities that fill our calendars. But after that day, everything shifted — both in the world and in my own life.
I was struggling. The news was devastating, and I felt alone in how much it affected me. People who I thought understood me didn’t. My sorority no longer felt like home, and I felt like I was begging people to care at a time of crisis for the Jewish community. I was craving a space where I didn’t have to explain or justify why I felt the way I did. Where I could just breathe, feel, and be understood.
Then I saw that USC Hillel was taking students to the November 2023 March for Israel in Washington, D.C. I barely knew anyone going, but something in me said, “Go.” And I did.
That trip was transformative. I was surrounded by people who just got it. No explaining, no justifying — just shared pain, pride, and purpose. On the way to the airport, I sat next to someone I’d never met before, and by the end of the ride, we were already planning to hang out back in L.A. That girl, someone who started out as a total stranger, is now one of my best friends.
After returning to campus, I realized how much I had missed by not being involved with Hillel. I started paying attention to everything Hillel was offering through Hillel International and USC Hillel. I knew I needed to make up for lost time.
When I learned Hillel International was hiring interns, I applied immediately. Becoming a student marketing intern opened doors I never knew existed. My supervisor quickly became one of the best mentors I’ve had: supportive, understanding, and genuinely invested in my growth. Virtual coffee chats with people across different departments became a highlight of my week. Those conversations offered not just professional guidance, but also real personal connection at a time when I needed it.
I also joined the Hillel International Israel Leadership Network (ILN), which connected me with Jewish student leaders across the country. I attended the 2025 Israel Summit in Chicago, where over 500 students and allies came together for workshops and conversations that deepened my understanding of Jewish identity and advocacy. And at the Hillel International Content Creators Forum in New York City, I heard from deeply inspiring speakers, and was pushed creatively, walking away more confident in my voice and what I want to say.
But more than the events or programs, what sticks with me are the people. The friends who feel like family. The mentors who believe in me and push me to grow and learn. The moments that remind me why I’m proud to be Jewish. Through Hillel, I’ve found not just a community, but a family. When I needed it most, Hillel came as a light in the darkness. It provided a space where I could be vulnerable, ask difficult questions, and grow both as a Jewish individual and as a leader.
Looking back, I see two versions of my college self: “before Hillel” and “after Hillel.” Before, I was going through the motions of the college experience. After, I found purpose, community, and a deeper connection to my identity.
For anyone on the fence about getting involved, don’t wait for a crisis to find your community. Hillel has been an unexpected blessing in my life, and I only wish I had opened my heart to it sooner. I’m grateful that when I needed a light, Hillel was there, arms wide open, ready to welcome me home.