Dear Hillel: How Hillel Found Me
“Dear Hillel” showcases letters from graduating seniors reflecting on their experiences of joy and Jewish life with their campus Hillels. Shiri Gil, a fourth-year student at Columbia University, studying cognitive science, shares how connecting with the global Hillel community changed the way she thought about being Jewish and Israeli on an American campus. Read Shiri’s letter to Hillel:
Dear Hillel,
I had never heard of Hillel before coming to study at Columbia University. Growing up in Israel, it wasn’t part of my world. That changed when I arrived on campus and met Yakov, the Jewish Agency Israel fellow on our campus who introduced me to the Content Creators Forum, a Hillel International initiative that brings together digital content creators to advocate for Jewish life and confront antisemitism. Something about it instantly resonated with me. After October 7, 2023, in a time of fear, isolation, and rising antisemitism, I knew I needed to be surrounded by people who understood — people who had family in Israel, who shared the weight of being visibly Jewish, and who didn’t need an explanation to get it.
That’s how I found Hillel. Or maybe how Hillel found me.
I flew to the Content Creators Forum not knowing what to expect, and I fell in love — not just with the program, but with the people. Students from all over North America came together to make an impact, tell their stories, and stand up for our community. Their creativity, courage, and sincerity moved me. In a funny twist of fate, I even met my second cousin Yuval — someone I had never met before, who happened to be studying in Florida and attending the same conference.
The experience gave me something I didn’t know I needed: a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and strength. As a former IDF soldier, being open about my background at Columbia wasn’t always easy. The exposure came with risk. But through Hillel, I found community — people who were going through similar challenges and navigating similar fears. That support gave me courage.
Since then, I’ve deepened my involvement with Hillel International, its Israel Leadership Network, and grown my online advocacy for Israel and Jewish life. I attended the Hillel International Israel Summit, and I had the honor of co-chairing the Content Creators Forum this year. It was a full-circle moment — meeting new, passionate, and incredibly brave students who reminded me why this work is so important.
Hillel shaped my college experience in ways I never imagined. It gave me a space to lead, grow, and connect with others who believe in creating a better, stronger future for Jewish students everywhere.
As an Israeli living far from home, I found a family at Hillel. I found purpose. And I found hope for our Jewish future.