Summit in the Snow: Gathering for a Weekend of Meaningful Fun
Rachel Lennard is a student at the University of Oregon and a member of the Hillel International Student Cabinet. She recently attended a regional student gathering organized by the Hillels of the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Washington, Lewis & Clark College, Reed College, and Portland State University. Here are her reflections:
Snow has a way of slowing everything down and putting things into perspective. On a mountain, surrounded by pine trees and that shimmering snow, it becomes easier to listen, both to the people around you and to yourself. That’s what I experienced at the recent Pacific Northwest Hillels’ Summit in the Snow retreat at Mount Hood, where Jewish students from seven colleges across the Pacific Northwest came together for a weekend of connection, learning, service, and joy.
Most of us had never met before; we came from different campuses and Jewish backgrounds. But very quickly, introductions turned into conversations, then into laughter, and by the end of the weekend, into friendships. There was something powerful about being in a shared space, away from classes, responsibilities, and distractions, where Jewish community surrounded us.
Throughout the weekend, we came together as a community for meals and evening events. During this time, we explored Jewish values, celebrated Shabbat, and enjoyed each other’s company, reflecting on our shared values and how they shape our lives as students. These conversations showed me that Judaism is not only something we practice individually, but something we live out collectively. Hearing how other students express their Jewish identities, whether through activism, learning, ritual, or community building, expanded my own understanding of what Jewish leadership can look like.
One of the most meaningful parts of the retreat was our service project, where we worked together to assemble care kits for people experiencing homelessness. It would have been easy to stay focused on leisurely activities, but grounding the retreat in the foundational Jewish value of tikkun olam reminded us why community matters beyond our individual needs. As we packed the kits, the work felt both practical and intentional. It was a powerful lesson that our values can always be put into practice, not just discussed in the abstract.
What struck me most about this project was how naturally service fit into the rhythm of the weekend. It wasn’t a separate obligation, but an extension of who we are as Jewish students. Doing that work side by side with peers from different campuses made the impact feel even larger. Together, we weren’t just students on a retreat; we were a regional Jewish community showing up with care and responsibility.
There was plenty of fun, too. Skiing and snowboarding on Mount Hood gave us opportunities to cheer each other on, laugh at wipeouts, and celebrate the small victories of making it down a run or trying something new. Those moments of shared joy were just as important as the formal programming. They built trust and created memories that will last long after the snow melts.
As a Jewish student leader, this retreat gave me clarity about what I want to help create on my own campus. It reminded me that strong Jewish communities grow through relationship building. Programs matter, but it’s the feeling of belonging, of being seen and supported, that keeps students coming back. Summit in the Snow showed me how intentional space, meaningful values-based experiences, and genuine fun can come together to create something transformative.
I’m returning to campus with new ideas, new energy, and a more profound sense of responsibility. I want to foster spaces where students can connect across differences, engage in service that matters, and experience Judaism as something vibrant and lived. Most of all, I’m grateful for the reminder that Jewish leadership isn’t lonely. There is strength in community, in shared purpose, and in gathering, even in the snow, to remind ourselves who we are and what we stand for.