Birthright Israel

Campus Trip

University of Southern California

Trip Dates

12/20/2026-12/30/2026

Departure Location

Los Angeles

Campus Contact Info

Brandon Kaufman,
brandon@uschillel.org

This trip is a gift from Birthright Israel

The gift of a Birthright Israel trip is made possible thanks to an innovative partnership between Jewish philanthropists, Jewish communities and Federations, the people of Israel through the Government of Israel, tens of thousands of alumni, their families, and individual donors from around the world who believe in our mission.

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Hillel Stories

International Student Cabinet

Israel

When They Came Home

Author

Ariela Moel

Date

October 22, 2025

Ariela Moel, co-chair of the 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet, shares her personal reflection on what it meant to witness the recent hostage release and ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 

I have the privilege of representing Jewish students around the world 鈥� students who, last week, shared a single heartbeat. When news broke of a deal to release the hostages held in Gaza, time itself seemed to pause. Across continents and campuses, from dorm rooms to Hillel lounges, we waited together.

No time zones mattered, as we all stayed up to watch them come home: students from Los Angeles to New York unable to sleep, parents in the South and Midwestern United States whispering prayers, and in Israel, an entire nation holding its breath. When the hostages walked off those planes, after more than 700 days in captivity, nationhood stopped being an abstract concept and became a feeling. Geography disappeared. We were all in the same place, watching the same screens, feeling the same impossible thing finally happen.

For two years, my optimism waned as the hostages remained trapped in Gaza, day after day. But my fellow students and I hoped anyway. Those yellow ribbons that appeared everywhere were scrappy, defiant declarations that we refused to let go, even when every probability screamed at us to be 鈥渞ealistic.鈥� Hope is what you cling to when optimism runs out. Hope is what made us stay up through every time zone. And hope, sometimes, is just enough to beat the odds.

This week was not October 6, 2023. We don’t get to go back to before, to pretend the trauma never happened, to return to the privilege of innocence. It’s October 8 鈥� still the day after the day that changed everything. When you woke up and realized the world was different now. That you’re different too. And somehow, you have to figure out how to move forward anyway.

The hostage release proves hope was worth holding onto. It was a moment of immense relief amid continued challenge and heartbreak, when those yellow ribbons 鈥� symbols of stubborn, clear-eyed hope 鈥� finally meant what we’d been aching for them to mean all along.

Ariela Moel is a fourth-year pre-law student at USC and the co-chair of the 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet.

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News

Welcome to Hillel: A Letter from 糖心vlogl’s Student Cabinet Co-Chairs

Author

Ariela Moel and Einav Tsach

Date

August 21, 2025

The 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet is a group of Jewish student leaders, deeply involved in their campus Hillels, who were nominated and selected to serve in an advisory role for 糖心vlogl. They represent the voices and interests of Jewish students across the global Hillel community. This week, the Student Cabinet gathered in Washington D.C. to get to know each other, meet Hillel professionals who will support their work, and plan for the year ahead.

Ariela Moel and Einav Tsach, co-chairs of the 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet, share a welcome for all Jewish college students walking onto campus this year. Read their thoughts below:

Dear Friends,

Mazel tov! Whether you鈥檙e beginning your college career or continuing your college journey, there鈥檚 something so special about starting another year  marked by meaning, personal growth, challenges, unexpected turns, and most importantly, memories that will last a lifetime. 

Our names are Ariela Moel and Einav Tsach, and we鈥檙e Jewish college students 鈥� just like many of you. Every step we鈥檝e taken in our leadership journeys as Jewish students has brought us to where we are today, as co-chairs of 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Student Cabinet, where we work to elevate the voices of Jewish students everywhere.

If you鈥檙e a first-year student, we know that you may be nervous. College is a big deal 鈥� we鈥檙e exploring a new and unique chapter in our lives, and that change can sometimes be tough. When we finished high school, we were full of excitement and anticipation, but also had some jitters. Now though, we are so grateful for all the opportunities we鈥檝e experienced as Jewish students in college. In this moment, we encourage you to lean in, be present, and imagine the incredible moments you can find as Jewish students. 

We are part of a community that includes Nobel Prize winners, Supreme Court justices, comedians who change how the world laughs, and activists who change how the world thinks. And now it鈥檚 our turn.

College is where we discover that everything we learned growing up was training for deepening our interests and finding our future path. At Hillel, we鈥檝e watched this realization happen countless times. And now, as part of the 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet, we have the honor of working with students who are living this journey. 

We see the future lawyers turning childhood debates about bagel toppings into thoughtful conversations about contemporary issues. We see the journalism student who uses the Jewish storytelling tradition she grew up with as the perfect preparation for telling unforgettable human stories. And we see the future doctor who finds inspiration to heal the world through the comforting food and Jewish values they learned from their grandparents.

And the friendships? The people we have met at Hillel have become our communities and our anchors to support us as we explore new skills and facets of our identities. After just a few Shabbat dinners, we discovered that we鈥檙e part of a new family. 

As a Jewish student at Hillel, our differences are celebrated and our unique perspective is treasured.聽In college, we craft our own meaningful Jewish stories.

We write this knowing that recent events, including the horrors of Oct. 7, 2023 and their aftermath, have magnified both the challenges our community faces and the incredible strength we possess. Jewish students carry this profound understanding of what it means to support one another and to stand up for our values with courage.

We can鈥檛 wait to see all you do as you begin – or continue – this exciting chapter of your story. And we can鈥檛 wait to help tell your story on the 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet. 

With absolute confidence in you,

Ariela Moel and Einav Tsach

2025-2026 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet Co-Chairs

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Hillel Community

Hillel Stories

Dear Hillel: Finding Light When I Needed It Most

Author

Alyssa Wallack

Date

May 16, 2025

鈥淒ear Hillel鈥� 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鈥檚 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 鈥� 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鈥檛. 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鈥檛 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, 鈥淕o.鈥� And I did.

That trip was transformative. I was surrounded by people who just got it. No explaining, no justifying 鈥� just shared pain, pride, and purpose. On the way to the airport, I sat next to someone I鈥檇 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 糖心vlogl and USC Hillel. I knew I needed to make up for lost time.

When I learned 糖心vlogl 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鈥檝e 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 糖心vlogl 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 糖心vlogl 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鈥檓 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: 鈥渂efore Hillel鈥� and 鈥渁fter Hillel.鈥� 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鈥檛 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鈥檓 grateful that when I needed a light, Hillel was there, arms wide open, ready to welcome me home.

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News

As We Recover from the LA Wildfires, It鈥檚 Our Job to Show Up

Author

Dave Cohn

Date

February 13, 2025

Jewish tradition offers us an option of how to respond to moments when words otherwise fail us, one which signals the most essential message at times filled with confusion, pain, or uncertainty 鈥� hineini, I am here.

I am here has been a constant refrain among Hillel professionals over the past 16 months, as the Jewish community around the world has experienced tremendous loss, grief, and fear. Yet in an unexpected blessing, the work we鈥檝e done to show up for our students since the devastating attacks of October 7 gave us new insight when we needed to show up for a tragedy much closer to home. 

As the Allen & Ruth Ziegler Executive Director at USC Hillel, I鈥檝e lost count of how many times we’ve said those words, I am here, in the weeks since the outbreak of the Palisades and Eaton fires here in Southern California. We’ve said it to family, neighbors, friends, colleagues, and students 鈥� those witnessing the devastation playing out from the fires across Los Angeles, those weathering hours of power outages, those anxiously wondering if they’ll need to leave their homes, and above all, those who have tragically lost their homes to this destructive disaster.

Somehow, it鈥檚 been over a month since the wildfires consumed entire neighborhoods of our city of Los Angeles, forever altering it. At a time of upheaval that felt so much bigger than any one of us, we were reminded that it鈥檚 the small acts of kindness that stand out as most memorable, and the value of Hillel鈥檚 role in offering comfort and connection to Jewish students cannot be overstated. 

鈥淎 Hillel cannot change the material reality of impacted families, destroyed property, or a city experiencing collective trauma,鈥� our campus rabbi, Jocee Hudson, shared with me. 鈥淲hat we can continue to do is show up as the community of care that we are, wrap our arms around our students, provide a space of consistent and loving presence, refuse to shy away from asking about and listening to hard stories, and provide chances to give back and care for the larger LA community.鈥�

Rabbi Hudson鈥檚 words were particularly relevant for all of us last month. The week the fires broke out, we had planned an immersive off-site professional development day for our team. Instead, we spent the day watching the news, checking on loved ones, and, of course, reaching out to our students across Los Angeles to ensure their physical and emotional safety. We messaged one another constantly with updates from the valley to the city. Students responded in droves 鈥� the majority, luckily, were okay, but a few reported that they鈥檇 lost their homes. 

We quickly mobilized as a team, sharing updates about resources that students could utilize even before the spring semester officially got underway, such as the Jewish Federation Los Angeles鈥� , which offered reliable information on volunteering, food for marginalized communities, mental health services, and more. We made sure our community was aware of important updates about things like air quality alerts, as well as information about

The Welcome Week programs we already had planned for the spring semester took on new importance as we worked to adapt to what our students needed: we offered open office hours with our campus rabbi and wellness director, a cozy hot cocoa drop-in with our executive board, increased marketing of our free therapy opportunities, and began a collaboration with a local buy-sell-trade app to collect fire relief donations.

Reflecting on our first program of the year, our managing director, Rachael Cohen, shared, 鈥淪tudents and parents showed up disoriented, overwhelmed and restless. But as the room buzzed with new conversations and connections, a sense of calm settled in. Even as chaos dominated the outside world, it was all going to be okay.鈥�

Our students had found a sukkat shalom 鈥� a safe haven 鈥� a place where they could make a new friend, eat a good snack, and have a real conversation. We remain their Jewish home away from home, even when home is something out of reach. 

鈥淲e often say that Hillel is not an institution,鈥� Rabbi Hudson recently told our community. 鈥淩ather, it is a community of people seeking to draw near and care for one another. Even when times are hard, indeed, especially when times are hard, we know just who we are and how we want to be.鈥� 

And sometimes, that starts with saying, hineini 鈥� I am here.

Dave Cohn is the Allen & Ruth Ziegler Executive Director at USC Hillel. To learn more about supporting the Jewish community in LA in the aftermath of the fires, please visit the resource.

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News

Letters from Alyssa: How to Talk to Your Professors 糖心vlog the High Holidays

Author

Alyssa Wallack

Date

September 13, 2024

Hi Friend,

I鈥檓 Alyssa, a senior at the University of Southern California, and I’ve been through the “How do I tell my professors I need time off for the High Holidays?” process a few times now. Trust me, I know how nerve-wracking it can be, especially if you’re new to campus. As the fall semester begins, Jewish students are faced with this familiar dilemma: how to balance academic responsibilities with the importance of observing the High Holidays. I still remember feeling like my stomach was doing somersaults the first time I had to approach my professors about requesting time off.

But after a few years of navigating the High Holidays on campus (and realizing professors are actually pretty understanding about it), I’ve got some tips to share. Whether you’re a freshman just starting out or a fellow upperclassman who still gets a little anxious about this, you’re not alone. Here’s some advice to help you handle this situation with confidence and authenticity. Let’s walk through this together.

Start Early, Plan Ahead

The key to minimizing anxiety in this process is early preparation. As soon as you receive your syllabus, check whichever dates of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot that you鈥檒l be celebrating against your class schedule. Ideally, you should approach your professors within the first few weeks of classes. This gives them plenty of time to consider your request and make any necessary adjustments.

Remember, professors are used to students requesting time off for various reasons. By being proactive, you’re demonstrating responsibility and respect for their time and learning environment.

Be Clear and Confident

When you speak with your professors, be clear about your needs. Explain that you’ll be observing the Jewish High Holidays, and will need to miss class on specific dates. It’s okay to be straightforward 鈥� you’re not asking for special treatment, but for the opportunity to practice your faith.

Here’s a sample script you might use:

“Professor [Name], I hope you鈥檙e doing well. I wanted to let you know that I will not be in class on [dates], as I will be observing the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur/Sukkot. I was hoping we could discuss how I can make up any work or assignments I might miss during this time. Thank you so much for understanding, and I look forward to seeing you in class!”

Your heritage and beliefs are meaningful parts of who you are. Embracing them on campus allows you to live authentically and be true to yourself, which adds so much to your community.

Offer Solutions

Come prepared with ideas on how you’ll catch up on missed work. Will you get notes from a classmate? Can you complete assignments ahead of time? By showing that you’ve thought this through, you’re demonstrating your commitment to both your faith and your studies.

Know Your Rights and Seek Support

Many universities have policies protecting students’ rights to observe religious holidays. Familiarize yourself with your school’s policy, and to safety, security, and full and equal participation at school more generally. This knowledge can give you confidence in your conversations with professors. 

If you’re feeling unsure or anxious about these conversations, remember that you’re not alone. Reach out to your campus Hillel or the office of religious life for support. They can offer advice, resources, and sometimes even advocate on your behalf. Find your Hillel here. 

Embrace the Opportunity

While it might feel challenging, this situation is actually an opportunity. By having these conversations, you’re not just securing time off for an important purpose 鈥� you’re educating others about Jewish traditions and practicing skills like self-advocacy and time management.

Remember, observing the High Holidays doesn’t make you less of a student. In fact, the reflection and renewal central to this time can enhance your academic experience, providing perspective and renewed focus for the semester ahead.

As you prepare for these conversations, take a deep breath and remember: you’ve got this. Your Jewish identity is a source of strength, not a hindrance. By advocating for your needs, you’re honoring your heritage and setting yourself up for a meaningful High Holiday observance and a successful semester.

Wishing you a fulfilling spiritual season and a great start to your academic year. Shanah tovah!

Take good care,

Alyssa

Originally from Los Angeles, Alyssa Wallack is a senior at the University of Southern California. A passionate advocate for Jewish and Israel-related causes, she’s now interning with 糖心vlogl. When not immersed in her studies or various fellowships, Alyssa loves exploring LA’s food scene and connecting with fellow students about all things Jewish.

Letters from Alyssa is a series of reflections and advice from Alyssa Wallack, a 糖心vlogl Intern. Read Alyssa’s thoughts on how she’s navigating Yom Kippur this year.

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Hillel Community

Jewish Identity

My First Shabbat in College

Author

Alyssa Wallack

Date

August 9, 2024

Alyssa Wallack is a USC senior from Los Angeles. A passionate advocate for Jewish and Israel-related causes, she’s interning with 糖心vlogl and the World Jewish Congress this summer. When not immersed in her studies or various fellowships, Alyssa loves exploring LA’s food scene and connecting with fellow students about all things Jewish.

New beginnings can be scary. Whether you’re a wide-eyed first-year or a seasoned senior, stepping into the new school year can be filled with excitement鈥nd a touch of uncertainty.聽I remember my first Shabbat of my first welcome week vividly鈥攖he mix of emotions, the anticipation of what was to come, and the warm feeling of being welcomed into a new community. Don鈥檛 worry, we鈥檝e got your back (to school)!

As we step into this new school year, we’re reminded of the power of new beginnings. This Shabbat, we’re not just welcoming a new week鈥攚e’re welcoming a whole new chapter in our lives!

My Shabbat Thoughts on a New School Year

I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that , Devarim, speaks directly to this moment we鈥檙e in! In the portion, we find Moses taking a pause: He stands with the Israelites on the brink of entering the Promised Land, and what does he do? He looks back. He reflects on their incredible journey, the challenges they鈥檝e faced, and the growth they’ve experienced. But he’s not just reminiscing鈥攈e’s preparing himself and them for what’s ahead.

As a new school year approaches, we can use this time to think about our own paths, support each other, and step into the new year with confidence, an open mind, and open hearts.

How I鈥檓 Channeling My Guy Moses This Shabbat:

Reflecting on my journey:

I鈥檓 taking an intentional moment to think about the path I鈥檝e taken in life, the challenges I鈥檝e overcome, and mentally celebrating the positive I鈥檝e been able to bring to my own life and the people around me.

Learning from my experiences:

Just as Moses encouraged the Israelites to learn from their past, we too can use our experiences to guide us forward.

Supporting my community:

The Israelites didn’t journey alone, and neither should we. Reach out to a friend, offer support, and ask for help when you need it.

Stepping forward with confidence:

With all of your past lessons in your (metaphorical) backpack and our community by your side, there鈥檚 nothing that you can鈥檛 do.

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News

Students Lead on Israel

Author

Brandon Tavakoli

Date

March 8, 2023

My parents were not yet my age when they were forced to leave their homes in Iran and start a new life in Los Angeles. Like so many other courageous Jewish refugees, they did not hide their identities and love for Israel in the United States. Instead, they engaged in an act of cultural resistance: they invested tenfold in strengthening their own children鈥檚 Jewish and Zionist identities, and instilled in me pride in who I am.

Headlines indicate that this pride in the Jewish state among our youth is waning in the United States. And it鈥檚 time that Jewish Americans look in the mirror and consider how we are failing to empower our young people. The organized Jewish community is missing an opportunity to meaningfully empower college students to express their support for Israel at the very moment when we are needed most.

As a student at the University of Southern California (USC), I attend weekly meetings of the student advocacy group Trojans for Israel. I listen to foreign policy experts who visit my campus. I post my support for Israel on social media whenever a rocket is launched toward Tel Aviv. It is a distanced experience that many pro-Israel students can relate to. An experience without room for creativity. Students engaged in Israel education and advocacy are told again and again that we are 鈥渢he next generation of leaders鈥�, but it seems that the national conversation about Israel鈥攖he actual leading鈥攊s limited to experts, activists, and organizers in Washington. Students have therefore been expected to follow, not lead. That is, until my mentors at USC Hillel gave me the opportunity to be an actual initiator, a real builder, and a true generator in the pro-Israel movement.

Earlier this year, I had a front row seat in creating 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Israel Summits in Los Angeles and Boston with fellow student leaders. The Summits are student-led conferences that connect nearly 500 students nationwide with real changemakers. Above all else, these summits democratize the conversation about support for Israel as a nation, as a people, and as the spiritual center of Judaism to students. Together with other students, we selected and invited the speakers. We programmed the sessions. We coordinated the run-of-show. And most notably, at each session, we led and guided conversations, instead of merely sitting in the audience. For the first time, I felt like I was shaping the conversation about Israel and the trajectory of the U.S.-Israel relationship

Before the summit, 糖心vlogl convened eight student organizers to discuss an invite list, breakout sessions, and plenary topics. The Hillel professional mentoring us opened this conversation by exclaiming 鈥淔olks, the sky鈥檚 the limit.鈥� I remember thinking, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e kidding, right?鈥� I suggested a speaker with some hesitation, 鈥淐ongressman Ritchie Torres,鈥� and then with growing confidence, 鈥淪enator Jacky Rosen, Dr. Sheila Nazarian, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, author Seth Siegel, activist Noa Tishby, and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove.鈥� A few weeks later, there I was, taking a selfie with Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove following her inspiring remarks about historic Black and Jewish partnerships. People often refer to us college students as 鈥渢he next generation of leaders.鈥� But, this was the first time I truly felt that I was leading in the present. I finally had a seat at the national table.

Jewish students are at the epicenter of challenging conversations about Israel on campus everyday. We are fatigued by in-your-face anti-Zionism, and worn down by silent apathy in the face of incidents and rhetoric that cross the line into antisemitism. Much more, we are saddened that conversations about Israel on campus focus again and again on 鈥渢he conflict,鈥� leaving little room for celebrating everything I grew up learning to love about Israel. And we are tired of the expectation to be Israel advocates when we are not able to own or direct the conversation.

The model of the Israel Summit uniquely positioned us at the center of reimagining what Israel advocacy can look like from the real grassroots level. We were having conversations with subject matter experts like Ambassador Dennis Ross, decisionmakers like Congresswoman Young Kim and Consul General Hillel Newman, and activists like Amanda Berman and Kiyomi Kowalski. From these engagements, veteran student leaders returned to their campuses refreshed and invigorated, and new student leaders were inspired and equipped with the tools to find their places as effective allies on campus.

Positive social change needs students. Today鈥檚 students are engaged, informed, and passionate. We grew up immersed in countering anti-Israel sentiment on campus and online, and we bring a fresh perspective to the table, new approaches to engaging allies beyond the Jewish community, and new skills to enrich grassroots Israel advocacy. And we have the biggest stake in the Israel-Diaspora relationship. We are the ones who will live with the impact of the changes taking place in Israeli society today, particularly potential actions by the current government that could alter the course of Israeli democracy. And nevertheless, we have just as much insight, perspective, and maturity to grapple with the big and challenging questions of crafting our generation鈥檚 commitment to Israel and the Jewish homeland. As the world鈥檚 largest and most inclusive Jewish student organization, 糖心vlogl fosters an enduring, grassroots commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel. Students have the power to shape the trajectory of the movement to celebrate our identities, pride, and passion for our community. It鈥檚 time to give us the chance, just as my parents did 18 years ago when they had me.聽

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