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A Farewell Message from Board of Directors Chair Lee Dranikoff

Author

精东影业

Date

June 25, 2026

When I became the chair of 精东影业鈥檚 Board of Directors in July 2023, I could not have imagined what the next few years would hold. Timing is everything. 

People sometimes say to me that I got more than I bargained for, and they are right. But I also got more than I gave. It was a privilege to serve in this role at this moment in history, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.

I spent my career in the private sector. There is a perception I sometimes hear among private sector professionals that nonprofits are easier to run and could learn from business. My experience over these last few years is that the opposite is true.

After October 7th, the leaders of every Jewish organization in the world had to figure out how to stay true to their missions but also pivot the strategy to meet the moment, and no organization more so than Hillel. And that is exactly what we did.

The ability of Hillel professionals to adapt, grow, and carry the weight of the last few years has been extraordinary. Hillel professionals became spiritual leaders, counselors, organizers, fundraisers, advocates, media commentators, legal coordinators, and crisis managers 鈥� often all at once. Hillel is a network of roughly 1,300 professionals, which sounds large until you consider the scale and intensity of what they were asked to accomplish.  

Hillel leaders found the right balance. They dramatically scaled our work around campus climate and advocacy. They developed an entirely new strategic plan for our organization. And through it all, Hillel remained focused on our core mission to serve Jewish students.

As I reflect on the future of Hillel, there are several shifts and challenges that I believe should shape our path forward.

First, we must place an even greater emphasis on community building. For years, Hillel鈥檚 relationship-based engagement model transformed Jewish campus life. It was revolutionary in helping us track progress toward our mission. Last year, we engaged over 190,000 students. It鈥檚 extraordinary. But, relationship engagement has a tendency toward effectuating change one student at a time. This 鈥渉ub and spoke鈥� theory of change is not enough.  We must also explicitly build Jewish community.

That means all of our Hillels need to feel that much more welcoming, more personal, and more like a home 鈥� perhaps even a bit less 鈥渃orporate鈥�. It also means empowering students to create their own micro-communities and helping those communities remain connected to the larger Jewish whole. Jewish community is not simply a programmatic goal; it is the antidote to many of the challenges we face.

Second, and closely related, Hillel must continue embracing its role as the voice of ALL Jewish students on campus. Hillel not only represents students who identify as 鈥淗illel students.鈥� On most campuses, we serve the majority of Jewish students, but our responsibility extends beyond those who walk through our doors regularly. We have an obligation to help ensure that every Jewish student feels welcome, safe, and able to belong on campus. That represents a significant evolution for our movement.

Third, we must recognize that the battle against antisemitism on campus is fundamentally a battle for the hearts and minds of the student body. Relationships with university leadership matter. Holding administrations accountable matters. But ultimately, the future campus climate will be determined by students themselves.

Whenever I hear a graduation speech turn into a denunciation of Israel, I often find myself listening carefully to the applause afterward. The challenge before us is not simply confronting those moments, but understanding how we impact the students listening in the crowd. Jewish students will help lead in this effort. Our responsibility is to support, prepare, and empower them.

Finally, when this publication interviewed me shortly after I became chair of the 精东影业 Board of Directors, I was asked about my greatest fear for the future of Hillel. My answer was that America鈥檚 political polarization would eventually come for our movement and pull us apart. That concern feels even more urgent today.

There may be no Jewish organization that navigates as many internal Jewish dividing lines as Hillel does. We span religious movements, political perspectives, Jewish identities, views on Israel, and international boundaries. There are powerful forces pushing Jews apart. We cannot allow ourselves to fracture.

More than 100 years ago, our founders had the wisdom to name this organization after Hillel the Elder. Now is the time to live up to our name.   

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Inside 精东影业’s Summer Internship Experience

Author

精东影业

Date

June 16, 2026

Each summer, 精东影业 welcomes a new cohort of student interns from across the country, to learn about what it鈥檚 like to work behind the scenes for the world鈥檚 largest Jewish campus organization, and explore potential career paths. This year, 精东影业 is hosting eleven students with diverse backgrounds, skills, and interests for a summer of learning and growth.

The summer internship gives students the chance to build their professional skills, connect with a community of peers and senior leadership, and gain an inside look at the work that powers the Hillel movement. From human resources and communications to talent development, interns work alongside professionals while exploring how their passions and experiences can contribute to the future of Jewish life on campus. 

“Because they are fully immersed in campus life, they bring a fresh student perspective to our work,” said Allyson Silver, 精东影业鈥檚 senior manager of strategic human resources. “They contribute unique insights, innovative ideas, and great suggestions that directly push our mission forward.” 

For Silver, who oversees the program, one of the most rewarding aspects is watching interns grow as individuals and as Jewish leaders throughout the summer and beyond. Many former interns go on to become Hillel professionals themselves, helping strengthen the movement’s talent pipeline and provide mentorship for future cohorts. 鈥淢y favorite part is getting to know each intern individually, curating impactful professional development opportunities for them, and celebrating their accomplishments throughout the summer,” said Silver. “It’s incredibly rewarding to follow their career journeys after the program ends.”

This summer鈥檚 cohort brings together students from across the country for weekly professional development cohort meetings and time to learn from members of 精东影业鈥檚 leadership team. While each intern arrives with their own academic interests, career goals, and passions, they all share a desire to make a meaningful impact on Jewish life.  

Creating spaces where students feel connected and supported has long been important to Daniela Gonzalez Quintanilla. A fourth-year student at the University of Houston majoring in management and entrepreneurship with double minors in political science and marketing, Gonzalez is a first-generation college student passionate about building communities and developing future leaders. She was drawn to 精东影业’s internship because of its emphasis on community and belonging.聽

“I was excited by the opportunity to learn from an organization that has built such a strong model for creating belonging and meaningful student experiences while gaining hands-on experience in conference and event planning,” she said. 

For Ruth Gittleman, a fourth-year student at Connecticut College studying psychology with a minor in economics, the summer鈥檚 journey began with curiosity. As an intern for 精东影业’s strategic human resources team, she is eager to learn more about day-to-day operations and develop skills she can bring back to her campus community. Gittleman said she was drawn to this internship experience after she heard about the community it sparks for students and how 鈥渉ighly my friends who have done the internship speak about it.鈥�

For Eliza Goldwasser, a student at Northwestern University studying journalism, political science, and Italian, the internship offers an opportunity to explore a question that has long inspired her: How can we help people become the best versions of themselves? As a member of 精东影业鈥檚 talent development team, she is excited to learn more about supporting professional growth through Jewish values like kehillah (community) and b鈥檛zelem Elohim (the belief that every person is created in the image of God).

Over the coming months, this intern cohort will gain hands-on experience, build relationships with professionals across the movement, and contribute their unique perspectives to 精东影业’s mission. And whether they pursue careers in Jewish communal service or bring their experiences into other fields, the lessons and connections they build this summer will continue to shape the future of Jewish life long after their internships ends.

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News

Connecting with a Global Jewish Community Through Birthright Israel

Author

精东影业

Date

June 16, 2026

Each year, thousands of Jewish college students travel to Israel with Birthright Israel and their campus Hillels, gaining a powerful experience of Jewish identity and belonging alongside a community that will be there for them even after the trip ends. For over 80,000 participants, Hillel: Birthright Israel has been one of the most meaningful Jewish experiences of their college careers.

As conflict continues in the Middle East, many Jewish students are once again watching headlines from thousands of miles away and wondering how to understand what Israelis are experiencing on the ground. But for those who travel to Israel on a Birthright trip, the rich meaning of this ten-day journey cannot be overstated. The trip takes students from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea to Tel Aviv, offering a glimpse into sites that are both ancient and modern 鈥� and along the way, students build impactful relationships with each other and with Israelis, whose lives continue to be shaped by grief, resilience, uncertainty, and hope. 

For Ben Novorr, director of Jewish student engagement at University of Kansas Hillel, who recently returned home from Israel, staffing Birthright trips has become a way to deepen those relationships with Israelis and with Israel itself year after year.

鈥淓ach time I staff Birthright, I leave with a slightly different takeaway when it comes to my own Jewish identity or connection with Israel,鈥� said Novorr, who has led five Birthright trips with KU Hillel, including one this month. 鈥淲hen you visit a place enough, you start to feel like there is a community there that you are a part of, and even if you are only there once a year, it is waiting for you when you return.鈥�

That sense of connection can look different for every participant. Birthright trips may share a structure, itinerary, and set of educational goals, but no two students experience Israel in exactly the same way.

For Judah Schuster, a rising fourth-year student at the University of Kansas, who traveled with Novorr this year, Jerusalem was one of the places that left a lasting impression. Every Hillel: Birthright Israel bus stops in Jerusalem for a ritual where the group pauses together to make the shehecheyanu blessing 鈥� a moment of gratitude for bringing them to this special place and time. 

鈥淏oth times I鈥檝e been to Israel, the Old City [of Jerusalem] never disappoints,鈥� Schuster said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always impactful seeing one of, if not the most, important cities in the world鈥� [And] seeing the ways in which the four very distinctive quarters combine to make up the city is so fascinating.鈥�

For Brenna Gross, another rising senior at the University of Kansas, one of the most meaningful moments of the trip came through service. While volunteering at Netiv HaAsara, an Israeli agricultural village, she helped make sunflower bouquets and pick strawberries from the ground.

The work was simple, she said, but the ties she made with Israel were deep.

鈥淢aking sunflower bouquets and picking strawberries directly from the ground seemed simple, but it gave me a tangible connection to the people and communities of Israel,鈥� Gross said. 鈥淏eing able to contribute, even in a small way, helped me feel more connected to the resilience and strength of the people who live there.鈥�

Given the recent conflicts between Israel and Iran, safety was top of mind for many participants. Birthright Israel’s extensive security measures and continuously updated protocols helped students focus on the purpose of the trip: learning and building relationships.

鈥淏efore traveling, I was worried about having to be in a bomb shelter for the majority of the trip and that our itinerary would be greatly impacted by the war.鈥� Schuster said. 鈥� [But] there was not a single time on the trip where I was worried about my safety.鈥�

Yet Gross was deeply moved by the lasting impact of conflict on Israelis and Israeli communities.

鈥淎s an American Jew, it is sometimes hard to process what happened on October 7th,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut after visiting the sites, specifically Nova, I was fully able to understand how this could have happened to anyone. Seeing the texts between the victims and their families and friends was gut-wrenching, especially the fact that a majority of the victims were people my age. While it may have been one of the hardest days of the trip, it was easily one of the most impactful.鈥�

Unlike traveling alone, a Hillel: Birthright Israel trip gives students and staff a shared experience they can carry back to campus together. Gross reflected, 鈥淚 hope to keep the inspiration alive by staying involved in Jewish life on campus, sharing my experiences with others, maintaining the friendships I made, and continuing to engage in conversations about Israel and Jewish identity.鈥�

鈥淚 choose to be a Hillel professional and to be a Birthright staffer because my passion is creating Jewish community,鈥� Novorr added, reflecting on the ways students built community throughout the trip. 鈥淲herever we are and whoever we are, we are better together.鈥�

Whether it鈥檚 standing together in the hills of Jerusalem, forming new friendships with Israelis in Tel Aviv, or taking that inspiration back to Hillels across the country, Jewish students are finding a deeper sense of belonging and connection through Birthright Israel. 

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News

Accompanying Jewish Students Through Challenge and Joy

Author

Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow

Date

June 11, 2026

Before coming to Hillel, I spent nearly two decades working as a chaplaincy leader in a large Jewish care system for older adults. Chaplaincy is all about helping individuals draw on their deepest values and beliefs to build resilience, and to provide accompaniment and support no matter what the situation. I entered that work because I was drawn to working with elders, and saw an opportunity to help improve their quality of life during a time of growing vulnerability. My colleagues and I built a strong Jewish spiritual care program and a chaplaincy education institute that was the first of its kind, offering chaplaincy training with expertise in Jewish patients and aging.聽

Hillel was important to me as a college student, and I had thought early in my rabbinate about working in Hillel. While still in senior care, I was a researcher on a study mapping Jewish chaplaincy. () It became evident that even with the increase in mental health concerns among college students post-COVID-19 in particular, chaplaincy is largely absent.  

And so I pivoted to become a Hillel professional, where I recognized that college students today face high levels of anxiety, feelings of isolation, and a range of mental health concerns. Hillels have the opportunity to deepen the ways we care for Jewish students during some of the most formative and challenging years of their lives. While universities invest in students’ intellectual growth, students also need spaces where they can wrestle with questions of identity, purpose, belonging, and meaning.

That need has become more apparent in recent years. Since the October 7, 2023 attacks, many of our students have also faced antisemitism, social polarization, and difficult conversations with classmates, friends, and even family members. They are figuring out who they are and what types of communities they want to build. 

As Hillel professionals, we are often among the first people students turn to when confronted with these challenges. They come to us after difficult classroom discussions, during moments of uncertainty, and when they are searching for connection. They also come to celebrate and to explore their Jewish identity, and to imagine the future they want to create.

That is why bringing my chaplaincy knowledge and leadership to the Hillel world feels so important to me 鈥� and like such a natural continuation of the work that I was doing in the world of Jewish aging.

At its core, chaplaincy teaches us how to be present with another person. It teaches us how to listen deeply, ask better questions, and create space for someone else’s experience without immediately trying to solve it. Those skills help us accompany students through moments of struggle and growth alike.

Chaplaincy is not about having the right answer. It is about helping people feel seen, heard, and supported as they find their own way forward.

Last year, Northeastern Hillel, in collaboration with McLean Hospital, launched an innovative ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program focused on Jewish community chaplaincy, campus life, and mental health. Hillel professionals who participate complete the clinical component of the program through their work with students on campus.  The first group has four participants, each of whom is a full-time Hillel professional working on a campus in New England.  Next year, we hope to grow the program to be available nationally for a group of up to eight participants.

CPE helps build Hillel professionals who are more than program organizers, caring adults, and non-profit leaders 鈥� it builds our skills to help us truly accompany a generation of young people who are often alone, and struggling with a complex world that is detached and disconnected.

In the Jewish calendar, we鈥檙e entering the period known as the Three Weeks, which leads into Tisha B鈥橝v, a national day of mourning. This time reminds us that Jewish tradition does not ask us to ignore pain. It teaches us how to hold loss while continuing to imagine renewal. We remember destruction, but we also make space for hope. We gather the sparks that were scattered when our world broke, and find meaning again. Chaplaincy education helps us be present for students as they encounter a broken world and seek meaning and a path forward.

There is an opportunity before us on campus today. By investing in chaplaincy education, we can help Hillel professionals care for individual students with greater depth and wisdom, while building Jewish communities where students feel supported, connected, and celebrated.

Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow is the executive director of Northeastern Hillel.

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The Virtual Hillel Leadership Institute Builds Student Leadership and Community

Author

精东影业

Date

June 4, 2026

On a campus with just under two thousand students, finding Jewish community can sometimes feel challenging.

That is part of what drew Sam Scherzer, a student at Franklin & Marshall College, to 精东影业鈥檚 Virtual Hillel Leadership Institute (HLI) this spring.

鈥淥n a small campus, it can sometimes be difficult to find a strong Jewish community of people who share similar values and interests,鈥� he said. 鈥淛oining HLI helped me build meaningful connections and feel part of something larger.鈥�

Scherzer was one of 22 Jewish college students from 15 campuses across the United States who participated in the Virtual HLI pilot, a program designed to expand leadership development opportunities for students at student-led and small, professionally-led Hillels. Through four national cohort sessions focused on strengths-based leadership, collaboration, belonging, and leadership purpose, VHLI students built practical leadership skills while connecting with peers from across the Hillel movement.

Virtual HLI was created to bring the leadership development experience of 精东影业’s campus-based Hillel Leadership Institute to students who may not otherwise have access to a cohort experience on their campus. Since its launch in fall 2025, the campus-based HLI cohorts have engaged more than 350 students across 34 campuses. HLI is part of a broader effort from 精东影业 to catalyze the largest-ever generation of Jewish leaders through programs, including the Leadership Passport initiative, that empower them to lead the Jewish people into a vibrant future. 

“What makes the VHLI curriculum, and the HLI curriculum more broadly, particularly impactful, is that each session provides students with a practical leadership framework they can immediately apply on their campus,鈥� said 精东影业 Senior Director of Student Leadership and Engagement Corinne Janet. 鈥淲hether exploring strengths, collaboration and feedback, belonging, or leadership purpose, students develop skills that not only help them lead more effectively today, but also prepare them to thrive as professionals and community leaders long after graduation.”

For many VHLI participants, making connections with each other became one of the most valuable parts of the experience. Students from smaller Jewish communities often carry significant responsibility for creating engagement and building opportunities for belonging on their campuses. Meeting peers facing similar challenges helped them exchange ideas, build confidence, and realize they were not alone.

鈥淭he most valuable part of the experience for me was getting to meet and talk to leaders at other schools,鈥� one student shared. 鈥淟earning that we face similar issues in planning events and growing engagement was super comforting and also gave us opportunities to talk about how we can all improve.鈥�

The program also challenged students to think differently about leadership itself.

Rowan University student Holly Cowan said HLI transformed her understanding of what it means to lead. 鈥淏efore this experience, I tended to think of leadership as something more external, like taking charge or guiding others,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e come to understand that effective leadership really starts with understanding yourself. And I鈥檝e learned that leadership isn鈥檛 about having all the answers. It鈥檚 about being open, adaptable, and willing to grow. That shift in perspective has been the most meaningful takeaway for me so far.鈥�

For Scherzer, the cohort taught him that leadership can mean focusing on building something simple but powerful: like creating more opportunities for connection and belonging.

鈥淚 plan to implement what I鈥檝e learned by focusing on small, consistent improvements on my campus,鈥� he said. One of those ideas is a regular Sunday bagel breakfast where students can gather before the stress of the week ahead.

鈥淚t [will be] a great way to connect and hang out before the craziness of upcoming exams,鈥� he added.

The impact of the Virtual Hillel Leadership Institute pilot was clear. Every participating student reported feeling more confident leading others, nearly all said they felt more connected to Hillel as a result of the experience, and even more developed a stronger sense of Jewish purpose in their leadership.

For Janet, who helped facilitate the virtual cohort, those results were reflected in the students themselves.

鈥淒eveloping and facilitating the Virtual HLI Cohort was one of the highlights of my year,鈥� Janet said. 鈥淕etting to learn with student leaders from campuses with more limited staffing structures gave me a deeper appreciation for the creativity, determination, and heart they bring to their communities every day. Their commitment to creating meaningful Jewish experiences, building community, and leading through challenge left me feeling incredibly hopeful about the future of Jewish leadership.鈥�

This year鈥檚 cohort experience may be ending, but students say the lessons will continue shaping how they show up for their communities. 精东影业 also convened a parallel training for the advisors and Hillel professionals who support VHLI participants, creating a shared language and framework that will help students continue putting their learning into practice long after the program concludes.

鈥淭hrough this program, I have learned that leadership is a process,鈥� Scherzer said. 鈥淚 want to keep building a space where everyone feels valued and excited to participate.鈥�

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Meet 精东影业’s 2026 Summer Interns!

Author

精东影业

Date

May 29, 2026

Welcome to all of 精东影业’s new and returning summer interns! Every year, students from all over the United States join 精东影业 to form an incredible cohort of interns and learn about different aspects of the organization. Learn more about this year’s interns:

Eliza Goldwasser (she/her) is a rising sophomore at Northwestern University studying Journalism, Political Science, and Italian. Hillel has been central to Eliza’s college experience thus far, and she is thrilled by the opportunity to contribute to an organization that means so much to her as a Talent Development intern this summer. On campus, she is a staffer for the Daily Northwestern, incoming Director of Fundraising for Delta Gamma, and a volunteer at a local elementary school. She is also an incoming co-leader of FYSH (First-Year Students of Hillel). She is passionate about Hillel’s values and is excited to learn how to best support individuals in their professional development with values like Kehillah and B鈥檛zelem Elohim in mind.

Lindsay Goltz is a graduate student at Columbia University鈥檚 School of International and Public Affairs pursuing a Master鈥檚 in International Affairs with a concentration in Human Rights. She earned her undergraduate degree from Chapman University, where she studied Law and Public Policy and Studio Art and worked with Jewish on Campus during her senior year. Following graduation, Lindsay moved to Israel to intern with Act.IL at the Abba Eban Institute for Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, where she focused on combating antisemitism and anti-Zionism online. She later served as an Advocacy Associate at the Aleph Institute, supporting prisoner rights advocacy, and after interned at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Lindsay currently serves as a student representative for Jewish on Campus Columbia and as President of the SIPA Jewish Student Association.

Daniela Gonzalez Quintanilla (she/her) is a senior at the University of Houston who has dedicated her college experience to leadership, advocacy, and building meaningful connections across communities. She currently serves as the Director of External Affairs for the Student Government Association, where she works closely with university leaders, nonprofit organizations, and public officials to strengthen civic engagement and student outreach initiatives. Her background includes federal advocacy work through Big 12 on the Hill, campaign and community organizing experience in Houston, and international fellowship experience in Israel and the UAE centered on diplomacy, dialogue, and cross-cultural collaboration. Daniela is especially passionate about creating spaces where students from different backgrounds feel heard, supported, and connected through service and community engagement. As an international student from Mexico, she values opportunities that encourage understanding across cultures and hopes to continue pursuing work focused on public service, relationship-building, and community impact.聽

Ruth Gittleman (she/her) is excited to be joining the 精东影业 team this summer as a Strategic HR Intern. Ruth was an HR Intern at the West End House Boys and Girls Club last summer and is excited to bring that knowledge to 精东影业 this year! Ruth is going into her senior year at Connecticut College, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Economics. Ruth grew up in Massachusetts and enjoys going to the beach, listening to music, and hanging out with her pet tortoise.

Taylor Levin will be joining 精东影业 this summer as an IACT Special Projects Intern. She is a rising senior at Penn State University at the Bellisario College of Communications, majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Digital Media Trends and Analytics. She has experience in marketing, communications, and campus engagement through leadership positions, internship experience, and involvement in student organizations. Taylor is especially passionate about community-building, storytelling, and creating meaningful connections through digital media and outreach initiatives. She is currently a Fellow in the inaugural cohort of 精东影业鈥檚 Ruach Fellowship and previously worked as both the Administrative Marketing Intern and Ritual Life Intern for Penn State Hillel. She also serves as the Director of DEI for her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta. Her background in campus leadership, content creation, and communications strategy has strengthened her passion for fostering inclusive, engaging spaces where students feel connected and supported. She is very excited for this opportunity to join 精东影业 this summer in supporting her career goals in communication for social change and non-profit work.

Zoey Natkin (she/her) is thrilled to join 精东影业 as a student marketing intern this summer. She is a rising forth-year student at the University of Oregon, studying public relations and Judaic studies. She is a member of Kappa Delta, and Allen Hall Public Relations, UO鈥檚 on campus student-run public relations firm. In her free time, Zoey enjoys baking, crocheting, and spending time outdoors.

Hailing from South Bend, Indiana, Elisa Nerenberg (she/her) is a rising fourth-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Global Health with minors in Health Policy and Business Management for Agriculture and Life Sciences. Hillel has been a central part of her college experience 鈥� from being a first year in a Jewish Learning Fellowship to leading multiple clubs within Hillel and serving as Co-Vice President of Programming this past year. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, swimming, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. She is excited to contribute to 精东影业鈥檚 mission and to be a part of the social impact team this summer!

Gabi Nessim (she/her) is a rising junior at Hofstra University, pursuing a degree in public relations and strategic communications. On campus, she is involved with Hillel and Alpha Phi Sorority. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and reading. She is more than eager to join 精东影业 as an intern and to connect with other Jewish peers while growing her skills in the digital world.聽聽聽

Jess Norris (she/her/hers) recently graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. There, she earned a degree in Art and Design with a concentration in graphic design. At Cal Poly, she was actively involved in Jewish advocacy and held a leadership role at her university鈥檚 Hillel. Beyond designing professionally and participating in Jewish organizations, you can find Jess swimming laps at her local community pool, painting acrylic landscapes, spending time with her cat, Finneas Bartholomeow, or at the beach during sunrise for a cold-water plunge.

Courtney Saxe (she/her) is a rising senior at the University of Arizona. She is majoring in Communications and minoring in Psychology. She served as the International President of BBYO 鈥�23-鈥�24, traveling to communities all over the world. On campus she has been involved in Hillel, Chabad on Campus, Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Dance Marathon, and her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma. Born and raised in Las Vegas, in her free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Morielle Shechter (she/her) is a rising second-year student and Banneker/Key Scholar at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she studies international relations and business. She is involved with Hillel and several Jewish organizations on campus and is passionate about building Jewish community and strengthening Jewish advocacy. She is excited to be joining the 精东影业 team as a marketing intern this summer! In her free time, Morielle enjoys singing, exercising (especially going on walks), and spending time with family and friends.

The post Meet 精东影业’s 2026 Summer Interns! appeared first on 精东影业.

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How Hillels Are Celebrating Jewish Graduates

Author

精东影业

Date

May 27, 2026

When severe storms forced the University of Maryland to postpone its main commencement ceremony by 24 hours, thousands of families suddenly had to rethink graduation plans. But for many observant Jewish students and their loved ones, the new ceremony date created an even more difficult reality: it now fell on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, meaning they would be unable to attend.

Within hours of the announcement, Maryland Hillel stepped in.

What could have felt like an abrupt and disappointing end to four formative years instead became something deeply meaningful. Hillel staff quickly organized a full Jewish graduation celebration for over 70 seniors and their families, complete with a processional, music, printed programs, speeches, and a diploma presented by the university president, Dr. Darryll Pines. With the whirlwind preparations completed, students who thought they might miss out on commencement entirely instead were surrounded by community, celebration, and joy.

鈥淔inding out that I would miss my graduation because it was moved to the first night of Shavuot was incredibly disappointing. Maryland Hillel turned what could have been a really difficult moment into one of the most meaningful nights of my college experience,鈥� said Emma Steinhause, a UMD graduating senior. 鈥淗aving our Jewish community and university leadership come together so quickly to celebrate us made me feel truly seen and supported.鈥� 

鈥淭his event wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without our staff, especially our phenomenal Development Manager Leah Bregman, who pulled together last night鈥檚 deeply meaningful Jewish graduation in a matter of hours,鈥� said Rabbi Ari Israel, CEO of Maryland Hillel. 鈥淲e were honored to create a space to celebrate our graduating seniors and the amazing people they have become over the last four years.鈥�

Moments like this are part of what makes graduation season 精东影业 so special. Across campuses, seniors are not only receiving diplomas. They are celebrating the friendships, traditions, leadership opportunities, and Jewish communities that shaped their college experience.

At Duke University, Jewish students marked graduation with a special that honored both their accomplishments and the memories and community that carried them through college. 

鈥淭he Jewish Baccalaureate was such a meaningful way to mark the end of my time at Duke,鈥� said Michelle Brown, a graduating senior at Duke University. 鈥淗aving a ceremony centered around the Jewish community, reflection, and tradition made the transition feel incredibly personal and intentional鈥� and like stepping into the next chapter with a community that has meant so much to me.鈥�

At the University of Florida (UF), Hillel at UF hosted its annual pre-graduation L鈥機haim event, celebrating the friendships, leadership, and moments of belonging that made campus feel like home.

“Schilit Hillel at UF鈥檚 graduation L鈥機haim was the perfect way to close out my Jewish involvement in college,鈥� said Lauren Robbins, graduating senior at UF. “I was able to show my family the place that became my home away from home and reminisce on all the memories and experiences.” 

鈥淲hat makes Schilit Hillel’s L’Chaim so special is that鈥� we get to hear directly from our graduates about how Hillel shaped their college journey, in their own words and from their own hearts,鈥� said Jenna Hasher-Gibson, assistant director of development at the Schilit Hillel at the University of Florida. 鈥淭here is nothing more moving than listening to a student speak about wh精东影业 has meant to them.鈥�

In the Midwest, the UW Hillel Foundation hosted a special commencement lunch at the University of Wisconsin-Madison featuring student speakers, a presentation of the graduating class, and a joyful send-off for seniors and their families. Students arrived in caps and gowns, joined by friends, loved ones, and even a few notable guests, including outgoing Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor, and, naturally, UW鈥檚 mascot, Bucky Badger.

Graduation season reminds us th精东影业 is never just about four years on a campus. It is about the community that helped Jewish students feel seen, supported, and proud of who they are, and the communities these students will continue building long after they leave campus.

To the Class of 2026: Thank you for letting us be part of your college experience. Mazel tov on your graduation. We cannot wait to see what comes next.

The post How Hillels Are Celebrating Jewish Graduates appeared first on 精东影业.

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Hillel’s Top Tips for Taking Care of Yourself During Finals

Author

精东影业

Date

May 26, 2026

Finals season is here at campuses across the country, and coming up for colleges and universities on the quarter system.聽For many college students, that means increased stress, anxiety, and long work sessions, and a big decrease in sleep, balanced meals, and self-care. Fortunately, as we wind down Mental Health Awareness Month this May, 精东影业 is here to help carry the load. Here are some of our top tips for making finals a little less overwhelming, along with ways campus Hillels are putting these ideas into practice to support students.

Tip #1: Use your hands for something other than school work

Research shows that moving our bodies helps our brains process, make connections, and sharpen our ability to pay attention and manage challenges. In other words, taking a break from studying to stretch, cook a meal, or do an art project with friends doesn鈥檛 ruin your study focus 鈥� it improves it.

At the University of Toronto, brought this Jewish value of rest into real life recently by offering flexible, multisensory drop-in experiences like a make-your-own grilled cheese bar, and activities like beading and lanyard-making.

鈥淒uring exam season, Hillel was honestly one of my go-to spots on campus because the bagel lunches, study spaces, and supportive environment made long study days feel way less stressful,鈥� said Zohara, a student at the University of Toronto. 鈥淚 also loved the drop in art programs like beading, bedazzling, and painting since they were such a fun way to take a break, relax, and hang out with other students during exams.鈥�

Tip #2: Look for a change of scenery

Have you 鈥渢ouched grass鈥� today? Research shows that spending time in nature 鈥� even if it鈥檚 just for a few minutes 鈥� reduces stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting mood, memory, and cognitive function. Bring your study materials or laptop out to the quad, take the long route through campus next time you鈥檙e going to the dining hall, or pop out of the library long enough to soak up the sun next to your favorite tree.

Not an outdoorsy person? That鈥檚 okay. Just finding a calming space can do wonders for stress reduction. At the University of Colorado Boulder, CU Boulder Hillel鈥檚 Program Manager Shira Finke welcomed students with warm pancakes and waffles, plenty of tasty toppings, and space to play games and connect with one another. 

鈥淗illel late night study sessions are a great opportunity to connect with my Jewish community at a time in the semester when many feel socially isolated,鈥� said one student.

Tip #3: Find a Furry Friend

Fun fact: Petting animals reduces blood pressure and increases empathy 鈥� which means that spending some time with animals doesn鈥檛 just mellow you out, it might also save you from a finals season crash. This is a great time to see if a group on campus is bringing in therapy or emotional support dogs, to Google petting zoos in your area (it鈥檚 baby animal season, after all), or to see if anyone with a pet might be willing to lend you a snuggle.

At Michigan State University, creating space for students to unwind, connect, and get some much-needed doggie snuggles. 

Tip #4: Do something to help someone else and remember that you matter.

It might sound counterproductive during a time when every minute feels scheduled, but 鈥� the chemical in your brain that makes you feel relaxed and happy. 

鈥淔inals are exhausting, and Hillel helped me recharge,鈥� said Shir Dvir, a second-year student at Michigan State University, where Jewish students packed finals survival kits together. 鈥淚t reminded me of the community backing us, which lessened my feeling of being overwhelmed and alone.鈥�

And at the , students 精东影业 stuffed with fidget toys, sleep masks, undereye patches, and (of course) coffee.

At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is that you are so much more than your GPA. Your value isn鈥檛 a score or a class ranking 鈥� it鈥檚 about being who you are. And, as always, Hillel is here to have your back. 

Stay hydrated, stay rested, and from all of us at 精东影业: Good luck on your finals!

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Hillel鈥檚 Leadership Passport Brings Student Leaders Into Conversation 精东影业 Jewish Security

Author

精东影业

Date

May 20, 2026

This week, Jewish leaders from around the United States convened in Washington, D.C. for a two-day advocacy fly-in, including a day on Capitol Hill,聽hosted by the and focused on advancing security for the Jewish community. And thanks to 精东影业鈥檚 Leadership Passport program, student leaders from a variety of colleges and universities were able to add their voices to this critical conversation.

鈥淭he Leadership Passport initiative is giving our student leaders incredible opportunities to attend high-impact national gatherings and actively contribute to bettering the broader Jewish community,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 精东影业. 鈥淭he students who attended the Jewish Federation鈥檚 Fly-In on Capitol Hill are learning what it takes to engage with policymakers in meaningful advocacy and how they can apply those skills back on campus. We鈥檙e grateful for this partnership with Jewish Federations of North America and look forward to continuing to work together to cultivate strong Jewish leaders for campus and beyond.鈥�

Colleges and universities have been at the center of some of the most intense conversations about antisemitism and safety for Jewish students. Antisemitism on campus has made headline after headline since the October 7, 2023 attacks, and according to data released earlier this year in partnership with the American Jewish Committee and 精东影业, 42% of surveyed Jewish students reported experiencing antisemitism during their time as a college student. While this week鈥檚 gathering addresses security concerns that reach far beyond college campuses, students offer a critical perspective to the conversation.

鈥淎t a time when Jewish students are facing unprecedented threats, harassment, and intimidation on campuses across the country, it is more important than ever that their voices are heard directly by policymakers,鈥� said Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America. 鈥淗illel students participating in this week鈥檚 security fly-in are not only advocating for their own safety, but for the fundamental right of every Jewish student to learn, gather, and express their identity without fear. Their leadership, courage, and willingness to speak out embody the strength and resilience of the Jewish community.鈥�

The fly-in began with a welcome session and programming to kick off conversations that would be continued with policymakers the following day. The next morning, participants headed to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staff to advance critical security priorities. Those meetings focused on moving forward federal legislation that includes key components of Jewish Federations of North America鈥檚 , developed in response to the tragic antisemitic attacks in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado that caused the deaths of three people and multiple injuries.

Lilly Chavez, a graduating senior at Florida State University, felt particularly moved to attend the fly-in because of those incidents. The attack in Boulder, along with the murder of two staffers in D.C., motivated her to take part in her first ultramarathon, during which she wore  a yellow ribbon to raise awareness for the then-Israeli hostages, and carried an Israeli flag.

鈥淚 wanted some way to advocate and bring awareness,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow, I鈥檓 so grateful to be at the fly-in to help with this cause and make a more direct change for our country and hopefully the world.鈥�

The Leadership Passport program brings Jewish student leaders to major convenings of partner organizations, so they can learn from leaders across the Jewish community, build bonds with one another, and return to campus with greater knowledge and networks they can apply in their leadership roles 精东影业 and more broadly on campus. Students must be nominated by Hillel staff on their campus in order to be considered, and demonstrate leadership and meaningful participation in advocating for the Jewish community.

鈥淭he Leadership Passport鈥� has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, develop leadership skills, and engage with students and mentors who are deeply passionate about Jewish life,鈥� Chavez said. 鈥淚 hope to bring back a stronger sense of confidence, inspiration, and connection. I want to share what I learn with other students and encourage more people to become involved in Jewish leadership and advocacy.鈥�

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Lessons from Shavuot: Finding a Path Through the Wilderness

Author

Rabbi Heather Paul

Date

May 20, 2026

鈥淢ay I be empty
and open to receive the light
May I be empty
and open to receive   

May I be full 
and open to receive the light
May I be full 
and open to receive鈥�

The holiday of Shavuot celebrates a moment of receiving. After wandering through the vast, empty desert, the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah 鈥� the great revelation after liberation, the moment our tribes became a people.

The commentaries on this moment are remarkable for how broadly they describe the receiving of the Torah. 

• The Midrash Tanchuma teaches that the Torah was given in the wilderness because “just as the wilderness is ownerless, available to all, so too the words of Torah are ownerless, available to all.” 
• Another midrashic text, Shemot Rabbah, goes further, teaching that “not only those who were in the wilderness stood at Sinai, but also the souls of all future generations.” 
• The 19th-century Hasidic master Sefat Emet wrote that the divine voice was heard differently by each person, “according to their capacity,” and that the giving of Torah was both a singular moment and an ongoing, living one.

Together, these teachings say something radical: we were all there. Each of us received a message that was both personal and communal, belonging not to one person or one group, but to all of us, for all time. And each time we interpret, innovate, or uncover something new from within our tradition, we become part of the great unfolding story of Sinai.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, in conversations with graduating seniors facing what I can only describe as their own wilderness: the uncertainty of life after college.

A memory from my own time of wandering keeps coming back to me.

In June 2008, I had just finished a master’s degree in history at UC Santa Cruz. My plan had been to pursue a PhD and become an academic historian. But somewhere along the way, it became clear that wasn’t the right path. I didn’t know what else to do, and I was terrified. I was applying for jobs frantically, feeling lost in that wilderness, my story wide open.

Around that same time, a beloved rabbi was leaving Santa Cruz Hillel, where I’d been involved throughout my time as an undergrad and in graduate school. A committee asked me to help with the search for a new staff member. 

Then, after we’d interviewed a couple of candidates, one of the committee members turned to me and said, “Heather, why haven’t you applied for this position?”

It was my Sinai moment 鈥� a moment of personal revelation within the communal.

I had never considered working for Hillel. But the more I sat with the question, the better it felt. Hillel had always been a reliable, loving space for me, no matter what else was happening in my life. Why not give back to something that had given me so much, and create that kind of space for others? When I look back now, I realize th精东影业 was also there for me in that moment, offering a path forward. 

Like Moses at the burning bush, it wasn’t just that I happened to be in the wilderness. I had to have the courage to own the uncertainty before the path forward could reveal itself.

That was 18 years ago. I’m still working for Hillel, now as a rabbi, a teacher of Torah.

This story has become part of my own Torah, a moment I return to when I’m facing a new wilderness, or sitting with a student who is facing theirs. When we’re feeling lost, it’s tempting to narrow our vision, to reach for the familiar because the unknown is frightening. But Shavuot reminds us that we are all standing at Sinai, each receiving the divine voice according to our own capacity. Sometimes it arrives through a friend or mentor who sees something in us we couldn’t see in ourselves.

As Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi z”l taught, the divine broadcast is eternal; “the question is whether we have our receivers turned on and tuned to the right frequency.”

The Kabbalists also taught us to read the Hebrew word 鈥�midbar,鈥� wilderness, as 鈥�midaber,鈥� to speak, to tell, to create worlds with our words. Revelation is not only about what we receive. It’s about how we respond.

Many of my students, especially the graduating seniors, are standing in their own wilderness right now. With Shavuot approaching, I encourage all of you to tune in. Notice who is standing with you at Sinai. Open yourself to whatever message comes through. Torah belongs to all of us, and the messages and the teachings are still guiding each of us through our own personal and shared wilderness.

What is the message meant for you? And what will you do when you receive it?

Rabbi Heather Paul is the senior Jewish educator at Illini Hillel.

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