News

Meet 糖心vlogl’s 2026 Summer Interns!

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

May 29, 2026

Welcome to all of 糖心vlogl’s new and returning summer interns! Every year, students from all over the United States join 糖心vlogl 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 糖心vlogl 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 糖心vlogl 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 糖心vlogl 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 糖心vlogl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 糖心vlogl this summer in supporting her career goals in communication for social change and non-profit work.

Zoey Natkin (she/her) is thrilled to join 糖心vlogl 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 糖心vlogl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 糖心vlogl 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 糖心vlogl 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.

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News

Considering a Career in Psychology? Hillel Asked Experts for Their Advice to Aspiring Professionals!

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

May 14, 2026

This year, the , powered by Hillel, launched its Industry Series 鈥� virtual sessions that bring in speakers from across sectors to help college students and early career professionals learn more about Jewish professionals鈥� experiences in those fields. 

The most recent installment, 鈥淧racticing Psychology,鈥� brought together six professionals and graduate students to talk about choosing a path in the field, what a day in the life can look like, and how Jewish values can add another layer of meaning to their work. 

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month this May, here are three top takeaways for college students and new graduates considering a career in psychology:

1. This field is so much bigger and broader than you might think.

When people think of psychology as a career, they often tend to imagine one of two paths: clinical or counseling work in an office setting, or academic research. But there are so many more ways to use a degree in psychology than just those options. 

鈥淎 lot of people know about therapy,鈥� said Dr. Jenna Shapiro, a pediatric psychologist at Lurie Children鈥檚 Hospital of Chicago. 鈥淏ut I also was interested in doing consultation in a hospital setting, which is what I ended up doing. That means more sort of short-term, brief sessions with people that might be in the hospital or in a medical clinic.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檝e worked in consulting for the last 10 years, primarily with pharmaceutical companies, but also with patient advocacy groups,鈥� said Dr. Jessica Markowitz, who also works part-time at as a therapist. 鈥淲hen I was getting my degree, I couldn’t have imagined going into that field.鈥�

Dr. Cheryl Fulton, who serves as the director of community care and wellbeing at , had a similar experience. 鈥淚 offer a lot of support for students, but I don鈥檛 do clinical work,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 do a lot more programmatically, and that鈥檚 not something I envisioned when I first entered this field, but I really love it. It鈥檚 really fun.鈥�

Jewish communal work, including working as a campus Hillel鈥檚 wellness professional, is a great avenue to explore. For example, Dr. Sasha Soykin co-founded the , which supports mental health and resilience through culturally informed support, research, and education amid rising global antisemitism.

鈥淲e just see the importance of building community, helping people feel not alone,鈥� Soykin said.

2. When it comes to grad school, think beyond the degree.

There are a number of different degree paths into the field of psychology. That means when you鈥檙e considering which degree to pursue, it鈥檚 important to think beyond just the type of job you鈥檇 like to have, but what you care about in a program 鈥� in the classroom and out of it.

鈥淚f someone is not interested in research, doing a doctorate program is a very, very long amount of time to do something that you might not want to do,鈥� Shapiro said. 

Our panel also recommended taking a program鈥檚 philosophical approach into account. 鈥淚 went to do a counseling PhD because it’s a little bit more holistic, social justice-oriented, strengths-based, community-based鈥� than a clinical psych PhD,鈥� said psychologist Dr. Rebecca Semel. 

There are so many ways to care for others, and the variety of training programs in the field reflects that reality. 

3. Make sure to find ways to take care of yourself.

, more than half of early-career psychologists report feeling burned out. While grad school can mean long study sessions and heavy workloads, all of our panelists agreed that it鈥檚 important to start building a foundation of self-care before you get into the field, when it will be much harder to start new habits.

Figuring out a work-life balance is easier with your school鈥檚 support. Dr. Shapiro recalled the faculty director of her program modeling work-life balance by attending concerts once a week and regularly taking the cohort on outings. Other programs are set up to make the time constraints of a degree more flexible.

鈥淢y program had a lot of second-career students and a lot of people with children,鈥� said Dr. Soykin. 鈥淪o my program really did try to help people navigate balancing all of it. For some people, that meant they took an extra year to finish, and that鈥檚 absolutely okay.鈥�

Looking for more answers or advice? Check out the full webinar recording, and connect with psychology professionals for mentoring and guidance on the !

The post Considering a Career in Psychology? Hillel Asked Experts for Their Advice to Aspiring Professionals! appeared first on 糖心vlogl.

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糖心vlogl Celebrates Outstanding Campus Hillels and Professional Staff at 2025 Global Assembly

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

December 11, 2025

The world鈥檚 largest Jewish college organization convened for the 2025 Global Assembly from Dec. 8-11 in Boston and honored remarkable achievements in supporting Jewish student life.

糖心vlogl, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, recognized exceptional campus Hillels and professionals for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to Jewish life during the 2025 糖心vlogl Global Assembly (HIGA) in Boston this week. The awards were presented during the annual conference where more than 1,100 campus leaders, supporters, sponsors, and students from around the world came together to celebrate leadership and growth.聽

“This year’s honorees represent the very best of what makes Hillel extraordinary,” said Adam Lehman, 糖心vlogl President and CEO. “They’re creating vibrant Jewish student communities that foster Jewish joy, meaning and belonging. Their exceptional work shapes the Jewish students of today and the Jewish leaders for tomorrow.”

Selected for their contributions to advancing Hillel鈥檚 mission of enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, this year鈥檚 awardees were honored during a ceremony that celebrated their excellence and dedication.

The awards and honorees included: 

Individual Awards

The Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award recognizes Hillel colleagues whose remarkable passion and outstanding devotion to the Jewish campus community sets a standard for all to emulate. 

• Ella Cooperman Schachter 鈥� Director of Jewish Student Life, Penn Hillel
• Rabbi Jeremy Winaker 鈥� Executive Director,
• Antonina Grynberg 鈥� Program and Engagement Director – Hillel Warsaw (Hillel Poland)
• Jennifer Stone 鈥� Associate Director, Northeastern University Hillel
• Emily Briskman 鈥� Executive Director,
• Jay Solomon 鈥� Chief Advancement Officer,
• Rabbi Judy Greenberg 鈥� Senior Jewish Educator, UW Hillel Foundation
• Karen Parry 鈥� Chief Executive Officer,

The Rising Star Award recognizes early-career professionals who have worked at Hillel for at least one full year and have had a significant impact on the movement in a short period of time.

• Samantha Brody Marks 鈥� Springboard Ezra Fellow, Boston University Hillel聽
• Bar Segev 鈥� Jewish Agency and Escoll Family Israel Fellow, Vanderbilt Hillel聽
• Tair Hellerman 鈥� Director, Hillel Jerusalem
• Zander Rappaport 鈥� IACT Israel Coordinator, Hillel at the University of Miami
• Shirly Afrimi 鈥� Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow, UConn Hillel聽
• Dilli Kittner 鈥� Springboard Ezra Fellow,

Campus Awards

Innovation:

• American University Hillel, 鈥淥ctober 7th Unity Dinner鈥�
• , 鈥淭owson Community Multi-Faith Art Show鈥�
• Dynamic Jewish Education: Hillel at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 鈥淛ewish Education Module鈥�
• Eleanor Meyerhoff Katz Innovation: Hillel CASE, 鈥淧esach University鈥�

Excellence:

• , 鈥淧eace in Israel Week鈥�
• Minnesota Hillel, 鈥淜ane Family Ha’atid Leadership Fellowship鈥�
• , 鈥淥perations Fellows鈥�
• Great Place to Work:
• Philip H. and Susan Rudd Cohen Outstanding Campus Award:
  • Small Campus 鈥� Colby Hillel
  • Large Campus 鈥�

The 2025 Award:

The 2025 Award recognizes an initiative, program, or effort on campus that has responded to a timely need for the community. The awardee is selected through a popular vote. 

• Rutgers University Hillel, 鈥淩utgers Center for Adult Autism Services and Hillel Collaboration鈥�

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News

Moments of Joy from the First 24 Hours of HIGA 2025

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

December 11, 2025

This week, 1,100 Hillel professionals, partners, and sponsors gathered in Boston for the 2025 糖心vlogl Global Assembly (HIGA), celebrating the joy and belonging that Hillel brings to Jewish students across the world. 

HIGA co-chairs Magda Dorosz, executive director of Hillel Poland, and Rabbi Gabe Greenberg, executive director of Penn Hillel, welcomed everyone to the opening plenary and shared their hopes and intentions for the conference. 鈥淟et鈥檚 meet someone new, whom you鈥檝e never talked to before, approach someone from a different type of Hillel or from a different country, and exchange experiences,鈥� Dorosz recommended. 鈥淭he more we are connected, the more possibilities that creates for our students to be connected, and the closer our global family will be.鈥� 

Rabbi Greenberg added, 鈥淣o matter where you鈥檝e traveled from, we want you to feel at home here over the next three days. This is a place for Hillel professionals to come together in a space where we all feel welcome.鈥�

In a video message that emphasized Jewish joy and inclusion, 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet Co-Chair Ariela Moel shared what Jewish joy means to students like her. 鈥淏eing proudly Jewish matters, because in a time where students are often told to hide their identity or hide their symbols or mute their voices, showing up with pride becomes an act of courage and continuity,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 for our people, for our history, and also for our future.鈥�

糖心vlogl President and CEO Adam Lehman also helped set the stage for how HIGA 2025 would highlight the organization鈥檚 work to amplify Jewish joy and belonging, inclusion and resilience, and Jewish student leadership. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about the unique and powerful ways that we, as Hillel, foster Jewish joy, meaning and connection,鈥� Lehman said. 鈥淚 want to remind everyone here that we鈥檙e all in exactly the place we should be, doing exactly what we need to be doing based on our unique Hillel mission and role鈥� Just as Jacob did for Joseph in this week鈥檚 Torah portion, 鈥�Vayeishev,鈥� we are creating a unique and gorgeous communal coat of many colors.鈥� 

Below are some of our favorite moments from the opening plenary, including powerful stories from Hillel professionals, inspiring speakers like bestselling author Sarah Hurwitz and CNN commentator Van Jones, a soulful performance from Jewish bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain, and a surprise guest who brought laughter to everyone in the room:

Telling and honoring Hillel stories

An important part of the opening plenary was recognizing the heroic leadership of Hillel professionals who have risen to meet varied challenges, including the staggering rise in antisemitism following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Six professionals came onstage to share their stories in a powerful presentation entitled 鈥淟eadership in Action.鈥� Rabbi Josh Bolton, executive director of Brown RISD Hillel; Kasi Shelton, executive director of Oklahoma Hillels; Elyana Funk, executive director of CU Boulder Hillel; Gary Brant, executive director of Tulane Hillel; Osik Akselrud, executive director of Hillel CASE; and Esther Abramowitz, 糖心vlogl鈥檚 associate vice president for global Israel experiences, told stories of courage, ways they鈥檝e cared for Jewish students, their commitment to building bridges, and their passion for helping students connect with their Jewish identities. 

Shelton spoke about creating a new building for Oklahoma Hillels 鈥� a space for Jewish students to gather, connect with each other, and find belonging every day. 鈥淚 wanted a safe, beautiful space for students to laugh and congregate, and proudly be Jewish. Because, most of all, what we want to show our students is that being part of a Jewish community matters. And that if they put themselves out there, really great things can happen.鈥�

Akselrud reflected on how Hillel CASE has offered a joyful Jewish identity and community to Jewish young adults in Ukraine, many whose lives have been forever altered by war. 鈥淪tudents now want to spend [even] more time in Jewish settings, because they feel protected and safe at Hillel centers. At the same time they took more responsibility for Jewish life in Ukraine,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥淎nd here we are today with thousands and thousands of Jewish lives flourishing. Hillel is a unique family.鈥�

Celebrating Jewish leaders and allies

It wouldn鈥檛 be a 糖心vlogl event without some star speakers. This year featured two incredible guests: CNN commentator Van Jones and former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz, both of whom are best-selling authors and steadfast supporters of the Jewish community.

Hurwitz and Jones offered takeaways from their experiences with speaking out against antisemitism and shared thoughtful messages for the gathered professionals in the room.

Hurwitz said, 鈥淚 give you all so much credit for all the hard work you鈥檙e doing on campus to educate and support these young people. You all are giving Jewish students the tools to be proud, joyful, connected Jews while they are also engaged in the world鈥� You are supporting them on their journey to decide what kind of Jews they want to be and what kind of impact they鈥檒l have on the world.鈥� 

Meanwhile, Jones offered advice for Hillel professionals to bring back with them to campus, 鈥淜eep living and celebrating in joy,鈥� he said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 let anybody steal your joy. Don鈥檛 let anyone steal the joy of your great people.鈥�

Musical guest Nefesh Mountain joined the Hillel House Band to bring energy, spirit, and sound.

Music always plays a role at 糖心vlogl gatherings, and this year was no exception! Nefesh Mountain, a bluegrass band known for their combination of American folk music with Jewish melodies, took the stage to applause throughout the night 鈥� accompanied at times by the Hillel House Band. With unique arrangements of traditional songs like 鈥淗inei Matov鈥� and bluegrass hits like 鈥淩egrets in the Rearview,鈥� their spirited approach to traditional music was the perfect way to celebrate Jewish joy and resilience at the opening and closing of the plenary. 

Surprise guest comedian Alex Edelman closed out the night with laughter.

The night ended with a set from Alex Edelman, an award-winning Jewish comedian. With humorous stories about Jewish identity, family, and Hillel, Edelman had over a thousand Hillel professionals laughing through his whole show. 

During a more heartfelt moment, Edelman also thanked the Hillel professionals present for their incredible work supporting Jewish students and shared how much he appreciated being able to perform at HIGA 2025.

Looking for more highlights from HIGA 2025? Stay tuned for updates coming soon.

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Brandeis Center, 糖心vlogl & ADL Reach Major Agreement with Pomona College for Significant Campus Reforms to Resolve Federal Antisemitism Complaint

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

December 10, 2025

Following the filing of a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Pomona has agreed to adopt reforms to address antisemitism and improve anti-discrimination protections for Jewish and Israeli students.

Washington, D.C. 鈥� Today, the , 糖心vlogl, and the (ADL) announced a with Pomona College to resolve that the College permitted severe discrimination and harassment of Jewish students in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. As part of the settlement, Pomona has agreed to adopt a comprehensive set of significant reforms designed to address antisemitism on campus, enhance protections from discrimination for Jewish and Israeli students, and align its policies and practices with Title VI and federal guidance.聽

Under the terms of the settlement announced today, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance鈥檚 Definition of Antisemitism (IHRA Definition), including its contemporary examples, will play a meaningful role in Pomona鈥檚 evaluation of antisemitic conduct. Pomona鈥檚 Non-Discrimination Policy and related training will be updated to reflect use of the IHRA Definition in identifying antisemitism. The College鈥檚 website will be updated with detailed guidance on the Non-Discrimination Policy to provide clear, practical explanations of how antisemitism 鈥� including anti-Zionist harassment targeting Jewish students 鈥� violates Pomona鈥檚 policies and Title VI. Pomona鈥檚 website will also be updated to include information on the IHRA Definition and OCR guidance, and the College鈥檚 President will issue institutional messaging affirming that antisemitism and anti-Zionism can constitute prohibited discrimination and harassment under Title VI.

Pomona has also agreed to appoint a Title VI Coordinator responsible for overseeing the College鈥檚 compliance with Title VI and to ensure that the investigation and adjudication of antisemitism complaints are overseen by administrators trained to understand modern manifestations of antisemitism. Pomona will also implement significant policy updates governing student conduct, including strengthened time, place, and manner rules for demonstrations, including updated policies on flyers and event registration; an explicit prohibition on masked protests (modeled on the University of Virginia鈥檚 鈥淐oncealment of Identity鈥� policy); and a revised Encampment Policy that includes clear definitions and enforceable prohibitions. In addition, the agreement provides that the College will re-engage as a full participant in 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Campus Climate Initiative (CCI) and will also establish an Advisory Council on Jewish Life and Antisemitism, which will include representation from the Executive Director of Claremont Hillel and Claremont Chabad.

The College further commits to making good faith efforts to work with the other Claremont Colleges to adopt numerous policy reforms, including enhanced time, place, and manner rules governing demonstrations and protests and a prohibition against demonstrations that promote harassment or violate Pomona鈥檚 revised Student Conduct Code.

This comprehensive settlement will resolve the OCR complaint the organizations filed in April 2024, which described antisemitic hostility and discrimination skyrocketing on Pomona鈥檚 campus following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack in Israel. For details on incidents of antisemitism at Pomona College, please refer to the original press release . OCR opened an investigation into the allegations in the complaint in August 2024.

鈥淎fter October 7, Jewish and Israeli students and teachers across the country were forced to live in fear on their own campuses. But there were many, including those at Pomona, who exemplified strength and stood up to the bigotry and hatred that threatened them,鈥� said Hon. Kenneth L. Marcus, chairman of the Brandeis Center and the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education who ran the Office for Civil Rights. 鈥淭he action steps outlined in this settlement will address the blatant and egregious antisemitism faced by Pomona鈥檚 students, therefore protecting students from facing similar treatment in the future, and we hope it encourages others to take legal action against those who violate our constitutional rights.鈥澛�

鈥淛ewish students at Pomona deserve to feel secure and welcome on their campus, just like every other student,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淭his settlement shows what鈥檚 possible when institutions take responsibility and commit to meaningful reforms designed to ensure Jewish students can learn and thrive. These include a specific prohibition against anti-Zionist harassment when it targets Jewish students in violation of their civil rights, a commitment to full participation in Hillel鈥檚 Campus Climate Initiative, and facilitating programming on Jewish identity, including the Zionist component of Jewish identity. We鈥檙e proud to have worked alongside the Brandeis Center, ADL, and Arnold & Porter to achieve this outcome and believe that this will serve as a roadmap for other schools.鈥�

鈥淭oday鈥檚 settlement marks a critical turning point for Pomona鈥檚 Jewish students, faculty, and staff. The comprehensive reforms negotiated with Pomona touch nearly every aspect of campus life, and we welcome the college鈥檚 significant, multi-faceted commitment to fighting antisemitism on its campus,鈥� said

Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. 鈥淲ith the reforms in this agreement, we expect meaningful and urgent strides toward Pomona鈥檚 promise of creating a safe and welcoming environment for its Jewish and Israeli students, faculty, and staff.鈥�

The parties negotiated the agreement with the support of an OCR mediator.

糖心vlog the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law:

The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law is an independent, unaffiliated, nonprofit corporation established to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promote justice for all. LDB engages in research, education, and legal advocacy to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism on college and university campuses, in the workplace, and elsewhere. It empowers students by training them to understand their legal rights and educates administrators and employers on best practices to combat racism and antisemitism. The Brandeis Center is not affiliated with the Massachusetts university, the Kentucky law school, or any of the other institutions that share the name and honor the memory of the late U.S. Supreme Court justice.

糖心vlog 糖心vlogl:

For over 100 years, the Hillel movement has been uniquely focused on serving all Jewish students, no matter who they are or how they express their Judaism. Today, Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, serving more than 180,000 Jewish students each year at 850+ colleges and universities around the world.

糖心vlog Anti-Defamation League (ADL): 

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is 鈥渢o stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.鈥� Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at .

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News

Hillel Leadership Passport Program Gives Student Leaders a Fast Track to the JFNA General Assembly

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

November 20, 2025

Every year, bring Jewish communal leaders, philanthropists, professionals, and community partners from across North America together for their annual . While themes and focus areas vary from year to year, the end goal is always the same: to foster unity, compassion, and strength within the Jewish community, tackle the most pressing issues of the day, and set the Jewish communal agenda for the coming year.

This year, thanks to 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Leadership Passport, over 60 Jewish college students representing over 30 campus Hillels attended the General Assembly as participants, panelists, and representatives of the next generation of Jewish leaders. This new initiative, designed to elevate and expand Jewish student experience, connects outstanding students with conferences and gatherings hosted by Hillel鈥檚 partners, and provides experiences and expertise they can bring back to campus to energize and strengthen their Jewish communities.聽

The Leadership Passport also offers professionals and community leaders the chance to hear directly from college students, who can share a critical and important perspective in conversations about the future of Jewish communal life.

鈥淪pending time with these incredible students at the GA these past few days reinforced that they鈥檙e not on a path to becoming leaders 鈥� they already are strong leaders, making significant contributions to their Jewish communities on campus,鈥� said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淲e launched the Leadership Passport to further empower these high potential young leaders with enhanced networks, skills and confidence that will enable them to take their leadership to the next level, in ways that will shape their Jewish student communities, and the broader Jewish present and future.鈥�

鈥淐ollege campuses have been such a hot topic throughout the past years, often making national headlines,鈥� explained Maya Weisberg, president of Cornell Hillel. 鈥淎s a student, it can sometimes be frustrating to have your stories told for you by those who are not really living on campus.鈥� 

Weisberg was one of three student panelists who took part in the 鈥淰oices from Campus: The Realities of Jewish Student Life Today鈥� program, moderated by 糖心vlogl President and CEO Adam Lehman. Over the course of the discussion, Weisberg and her fellow panelists reflected on both the obstacles and opportunities they encounter on campus, the support that makes a difference, and the innovative ways they are creating spaces of belonging, leadership, and authentic Jewish expression.

鈥淚 was able to share my real experiences as a Jewish college student and share insights about the resilience, dedication, and strength of Jewish collegiate communities,鈥� Weisberg said. 鈥淏eing invited not only to attend but also to take part in this conference is a meaningful reminder that our efforts make a difference and that others see and appreciate our efforts. After the panel, attendees came up to me to discuss and it was so incredible to hear that they had truly learned something new about what it is to be a Jewish college student.鈥�

鈥淚t means so much to me because I know people want to hear what I have to say and want to give me a seat at the table,鈥� said Aidan Herzlinger, president of Hillel at Baruch College and one of the other student panelists. 鈥淲e are the future of the Jewish community and our experiences on campus have prepared us to take on the reins as the next leaders of the Jewish community.鈥�

All of the students who attended the General Assembly through the Leadership Passport were nominated as top leaders by their campus Hillels. When asked, participants shared that networking with Jewish professionals, representing Jewish college students鈥� voices, and being inspired by other Jewish community leaders were their top motivations for attending.

“General Assembly is the event where the Jewish community gathers each year to examine our most difficult challenges and set the agenda for how to confront them. Many of these challenges look toward building a strong and sustainable Jewish future. Having Hillel students participate at the event both enriches it by bringing an intergenerational perspective, and helps up develop the next generation of Jewish communal leaders,” said Jewish Federations of North America President and CEO Eric D. Fingerhut.

To help students lean into that goal, the General Assembly offered a special breakfast program, featuring a panel called 鈥淏uild Your Legacy: Leadership and Careers in the Jewish Community,鈥� moderated by 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Israel Leadership Network chair Adam Saar, in conversation with Mark Wilf, Minnesota Vikings owner and chairman of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel, and Julie Platt, national campaign chair and past board chair of the Jewish Federations of North America. 

鈥淢any Jewish and Zionist students feel like they have to live double lives on campus 鈥� taking pains to hide their activity in the Jewish community from outsiders,鈥� Saar explained. 鈥淭hrough the panel, I鈥檓 hoping to help students in attendance feel that their Jewish and Zionist activism has a rightful place alongside their academic and professional aspirations.鈥�

In addition to being able to lend their voices to the conversations around issues most important to college students, and to network and learn, the Leadership Passport also gave students the chance to reflect on their experiences with Hillel itself. Through conversations, panels, and a special reception for Hillel professionals, students, and supporters, they shared that participating in Hillel can be a transformative pathway to a lifetime of Jewish joy.

鈥淗illel has been my anchor, my advocate, my family, and my springboard into leadership,鈥� added Tessa Hewitson, a student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a member of the Israel Leadership Network. 

鈥淭hrough Hillel, I have gained access to community partners, student networks, engagement opportunities, and a seat at tables where young voices are desperately needed,鈥� she continued. 鈥淢ost importantly, Hillel helped me transform hardship into purpose. They ignited my passion to fuel Jewish joy and gave me the confidence, guidance, and platform to do it. I am the person I am today because Hillel believed in me, invested in me, and consistently stands beside me.鈥�

If the voices of passionate leaders like Maya, Aidan, Adam, Tessa, and the other participants in the Leadership Passport are any indication, the future is looking bright!

The post Hillel Leadership Passport Program Gives Student Leaders a Fast Track to the JFNA General Assembly appeared first on 糖心vlogl.

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Hillel VP Jon Falk Joins the First Cohort of Grinspoon Amber Award Winners

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

November 18, 2025

At this year鈥檚 Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly, the announced the first-ever recipients of the , a newly created honor for professionals who have made exceptional contributions to the Jewish world. The Amber Awards recognize individuals whose leadership and dedication have had a meaningful and enduring impact on the Jewish community. At 糖心vlogl, we are so proud to share that Jon Falk, vice president of Israel Engagement and Confronting Antisemitism, was selected to be part of this inaugural cohort.

鈥淲hen I learned I was selected, I felt an overwhelming mix of gratitude and relief; gratitude that the work was being seen, and relief that the countless sleepless nights and long hours were making a difference,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n many ways, this recognition wasn鈥檛 just about me; it was about the team that stood shoulder to shoulder through some of the hardest moments Jewish college students have faced.鈥�

At Hillel, Jon leads seven teams that collaborate to address antisemitism and deepen Israel engagement for Jewish college students across North America. These teams are responsible for providing the tools that campus Hillels use every day to effectively respond to anti-Israel activity, combat antisemitism on campus, and counter BDS campaigns 鈥� all while taking a joyful, immersive, supportive approach to Israel education and advocacy. Jon credits his team for the success of this work, recognized by the Amber Award. Through their dedication, they ensure Jewish students have the support they need when they encounter antisemitic hate.

Jon began his career in Jewish life at Johns Hopkins Hillel, and has since held roles at AIPAC, the Israel Campus Coalition, and ultimately 糖心vlogl, where he leads Hillel鈥檚 Israel Action and Addressing Antisemitism Program (IAP). Jon led that team through several years of mounting antisemitism on college campuses, from the 2017 鈥淛ews will not replace us鈥� Charlottesville rally to the antisemitic conspiracy theories that spread during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric on campus became even more important during the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2021, and in the record levels of antisemitism that came in the aftermath of .

鈥淚 led a crisis team that worked tirelessly 鈥� seven days a week 鈥� to support Hillels and students,鈥� Jon said. 鈥淭eam members worked through holidays, family events, and many Shabbatot to keep Jewish students safe. The impact of the hate we saw was overwhelming.鈥�

After October 7th, Jon made it a personal mission to transform how 糖心vlogl monitors and responds to antisemitic incidents. Under Jon鈥檚 leadership, 糖心vlogl developed a sophisticated antisemitism incident tracking system for college campuses.

鈥淎t the same time, we have prioritized education,鈥� Jon explained. 鈥淲e鈥檝e empowered more than 30,000 students with the tools to recognize and combat the many forms of antisemitism in their classrooms, dorms, and campus quads.鈥�

When asked to share his perspective on why he believes he is a deserving recipient of the award, Jon shared, 鈥淢y work embodies the Jewish value of Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh 鈥� our collective responsibility for one another. In moments of crisis, I have not only stood up for Jewish students but have empowered them to stand up for themselves, ensuring that Hillel remains a beacon of strength and support on every campus.鈥�

Jon鈥檚 work has transformed the ways in which Hillel as a movement can monitor, track, and respond to antisemitism, building an infrastructure that protects Jewish students in real time while holding academic institutions accountable. At the same time, his accomplishments can also be measured in individual impact, through each student and professional who knows that, because of Jon鈥檚 work, they鈥檙e not alone. Hillel will always be there for them.

But when you ask Jon what he鈥檚 most proud of, the answer comes a little closer to home. 鈥淲hen my daughters ask what I do, I tell them I help Jewish students stand up for themselves and for their community in the face of rising hatred of our people,鈥� he said. 鈥淭o me, that feels like sacred work.鈥�

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The Future of Jewish Belonging on Campus: Growing Jewish Joy and Connection

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

November 17, 2025

Editor鈥檚 Note: In August 2025, 糖心vlogl released a brand-new, three-year , 鈥淭he Future of Jewish Belonging on Campus,鈥� which focuses on building vibrant and joyful Jewish student communities and ensuring belonging for Jewish students on campus and for future generations. This article, focused on the first pillar of the plan, 鈥淕rowing Jewish Joy and Connection,鈥� is the first of a series of four posts highlighting the ways 糖心vlogl is putting that plan into action.

Record numbers of Jewish students are participating in Hillel programs, seeking a warm and welcoming campus community, deep connection with one another, and the joyful, inclusive Jewish experiences that Hillel is known for.

When it comes to growing Jewish joy and connection, 糖心vlogl focuses on four key strategies: enhancing Shabbat and other core Jewish experiences, expanding cross-campus student gatherings, scaling learning and interest-based student micro-communities, and creating joyful, movement-wide moments in time.

Here鈥檚 a snapshot of what that looks like for 190,000 Jewish students at 850 colleges and universities in North American and around the world: 

Expanding and Enhancing Shabbat Programming on Campus

Shabbat, a day of rest and community, is an essential part of life at Hillel. From Shabbat dinners to soulful Havdalah services that mark the end of Shabbat, campus Hillels offer a chance for students to pause, spend time together, and connect with deeper parts of themselves and their relationships. 

Nothing says 鈥淪habbat at Hillel鈥� like delicious food, and Hillel at Virginia Tech takes that one step further: combining great flavor with the Jewish value of sustainability. Led by husband-and-wife team Greg and Amanda Herring 鈥� Amanda serves as the Kurtz Family Executive Director, and Greg as the Hillel chef 鈥� Shabbat dinners include a talk from Greg about where the food came from, sharing the names of the farms and encouraging students to visit. 

鈥淭he students can pick apples at Rosh Hashanah鈥� [and we鈥檒l] make a ton of apple butter,鈥� Amanda said. 鈥淎nd then every week鈥� we鈥檒l put apple butter with our challah, and the students will know it鈥檚 our apple butter. It鈥檚 one less thing we鈥檙e getting from a distributor 鈥� and students will see what an impact they can have.鈥�

Planning a Shabbat is easier when most of your students live on campus. But how do you create meaningful Shabbat experiences when the majority of your student body commutes, and spends most Friday nights at home with their families?

At Hunter College, Hillel found a creative solution: hosting what they call their 鈥淣ot-Shabbat Shabbat.鈥� Held on Thursday nights, Hillel at Hunter offers students a chance to eat tasty food, hang with their community, sing songs, and experience the traditions and joys of a communal Shabbat 鈥� without worrying about the logistics of traveling on Friday nights. 

On the other side of the globe, gathering for Shabbat offers a respite and an opportunity to connect across not just lines of difference, but across lines on the map! Events like Shabbaton Across Borders, a weekend-long, multi-country Shabbaton, are bringing together Jewish students and young adults from countries including Poland, Ukraine, and Germany. Centering on Jewish learning, community building, and shared experiences of Jewish life, this Shabbaton emphasized leadership development by involving participants in planning and running the event.

No matter how a campus Hillel celebrates Shabbat, the new strategic plan ensures that the joy and belonging at the core of Shabbat will guide Jewish student life forward. 

Regional Student Gatherings and Initiatives

Gathering students together from different campus Hillels to connect around shared interests and identities is key to Hillel鈥檚 vision for fostering Jewish joy, connection, and belonging. 糖心vlogl鈥檚 regional student gathering grant program offers financial and infrastructure resources to campus Hillels to design and host unique cross-campus experiences around leadership and relationship building. 

With funding from this grant, Hillels of Georgia launched the Leven-Silberman Leadership Institute (LSLI) 鈥� a new statewide initiative designed to cultivate a connected network of Jewish student leaders and to empower students to lead with 鈥減urpose, passion, and Jewish pride.鈥� 

Further north, Hillel at Yale University hosted its first-ever Asian-Jewish Shabbaton in mid-October, bringing more than 500 students from 13 colleges and universities together to celebrate identity and belonging. The two-day gathering, organized by the Asian Jewish Union at Yale in partnership with 糖心vlogl and Asian Jewish student groups, was headlined by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the first Asian American rabbi ordained in North America and senior rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City.

鈥淔or me, the Asian Jewish Shabbaton was a profound opportunity to connect with a network of Asian Jewish leaders and their stories,鈥� said Benjamin M. Nuland, Yale 鈥�27. 鈥淚t was more than just an event; it was a moment of鈥� honoring our heritage and shaping a new mosaic of what a distinct Asian Jewish culture can be.鈥�

With additional regional student gatherings planned for this fall and spring, including a Shabbaton Across Borders for Hillel participants in Poland, Ukraine, and Germany, Jewish students are taking advantage of the opportunities to connect with and learn from each other. 

National Movement-Wide Gatherings Provide More Opportunities to Connect

Anyone who has ever been part of a movement-wide Hillel gathering will tell you that there鈥檚 absolutely nothing like it. These convenings offer some of the most powerful opportunities for student growth, connection, networking, and Jewish joy you鈥檒l find anywhere in the world.

The annual 糖心vlogl Israel Summit, most recently held in February 2025 in Chicago, brings together more than 500 student leaders, speakers, stakeholders, and young alumni for a convening focused on skill-building, Israel-related education, and advocacy, with an emphasis on Jewish identity and pride in the people of Israel.

鈥淚 left Chicago not just with new knowledge, but with a clear sense of what I want to accomplish back on campus, from celebrating my community鈥檚 wins and building stronger relationships, to communicating with more intentionality,鈥� said Julia Nikkhoo, Dartmouth 鈥�26, one of the student attendees at Israel Summit 2025.

Other students found connection at gatherings like the 糖心vlogl Content Creators Forum, which brought together over 75 Hillel student leaders and 20+ Jewish content creators and journalists in New York City this year to educate students on Jewish culture and digital advocacy. 

鈥淚 flew to the Content Creators Forum not knowing what to expect, and I fell in love 鈥� not just with the program, but with the people,鈥� said Shiri Gil, a recent Columbia University graduate.

Another important national student gathering was 鈥� a concert series, powered by 糖心vlogl, that brought together thousands of Jewish students to sing, dance, and celebrate Jewish joy and belonging together. With concerts in New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston, Yallapalooza celebrated Jewish students鈥� resilience and pride. The series featured performances by Grammy-nominated musician Matisyahu, Eurovision winner Netta, and DJ Sasi and Yonatan Cohen, who both performed at the Nova Music Festival.

鈥淲e were thrilled to take our commitment to Jewish college students on the road and bring thousands of students together for a night of music, celebration and joy with some of the world鈥檚 top Jewish musicians,鈥� said Hillel President and CEO Adam Lehman.鈥� 

Natalie Ryba, a recent graduate of Hunter College and a host of Yallapalooza in New York City, shared about the impact that attending Yallapalooza had on her. She said, 鈥淭he concert was absolutely magical 鈥� spiritual, special, and so joyful. The energy the Jewish student community has here in New York is unlike anything else I鈥檝e experienced, with so much diversity, passion and hope, and there was so much love and support in that space: for Hillel, for Israel, and maybe most importantly, for each other.鈥�

Investing in the Hillel movement鈥檚 ability to take students from 鈥渃offee dates to community,鈥� from first hellos to deep friendships and connection, is critical to the strategic plan. Through the programs detailed above, Hillel is deepening Jewish students鈥� connections to their own identities, communities, and the world 鈥� all combined to make the perfect recipe for Jewish joy.聽

Stay tuned for more on how we鈥檙e turning our strategic plan into reality, and check out the full strategic plan on !

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Hillel is stronger than it has ever been. Here’s why.

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

November 16, 2025

On November 13, the journal Commentary Magazine published a deeply flawed and misleading essay by Josh Tolle, who worked for brief stints at two Ohio Hillels. The essay and its click-bait claims bear little resemblance to the reality of who Hillel is, what we stand for, and what we have done to protect Jewish students on campus and to fulfill our vision of inspiring every Jewish student to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel.

To rebut each mischaracterization or misleading anecdote about Hillel and the work we do would take a blog post as long as Tolle鈥檚 article. But here are the facts about some of the key things Tolle gets wrong about Hillel.

• Hillel is stronger than ever. We measure our strength by our growth and impact in supporting Jewish college students 鈥� not by the off-base assessment of one of thousands of former Hillel staffers. The figures here are clear: This past academic year, we set a new record for the number of students we engage in Jewish life鈥�189,000鈥攆or the third year in a row. Jewish students are coming to Hillels in droves because Hillel has unique expertise in delivering joyful, meaningful, and inclusive Jewish experiences; in fostering welcoming and warm Jewish communities; and in protecting Jewish students when they encounter anti-Jewish hate, bias, and discrimination.

• Our unapologetic pluralism is core to our success. At Hillel we welcome all Jews 鈥� from all backgrounds and levels of observance. And we are unapologetic about the diverse ways in which we empower students to engage in Jewish life and deepen their Jewish identities. The fact that the author sees our commitment to pluralism as a weakness, and not a strength, says more about him and his personal agenda than it does about Hillel. 

• Hillel is a proudly Zionist organization. This is made abundantly to everyone who works with and for us. As official policy, Hillels will not host any speaker or partner with any organization that demonizes, delegitimizes, or advocates for the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel. It鈥檚 precisely because of our core commitments when it comes to Israel that anti-Zionist campus groups are waging vicious 鈥淒rop Hillel鈥� campaigns against us. The author also fails to mention the countless ways that Hillel engages, educates, and empowers Jewish students when it comes to Israel, such as the more than 50,000 students who have traveled to Israel on Hillel-led trips in the past 10 years; our Israel Leadership Network and Hillel Israel Summit (the largest annual gathering of pro-Israel Jewish students in the world each year); the more than 100 Jewish Agency Shlichim (emissaries) Hillels proudly host to help students learn directly from Israelis about Israel; and the tens of thousands of students who participated last year in on-campus Israel educational and cultural programming with Hillel.

• Hillel has been at the forefront of fighting antisemitism on campus, especially after October 7th. It is flat-out wrong 鈥� and insulting 鈥� that Tolle accuses Hillel of not supporting Jewish students in combatting campus antisemitism. To the contrary, Hillel is the clear leader in doing so. As just a few examples of our leadership in this area: We co-founded the , which has already provided free legal assistance to nearly 1,000 Jewish students; invested millions of dollars in security upgrades to Hillel buildings across the country as part of Operation SecureOurCampuses; helped students challenge more than 130 anti-Israel BDS campaigns over the past two years; created , the award-winning new online resource that hundreds of thousands of students now use to understand, report and respond to antisemitism; and trained more than 3,000 university administrators on how to recognize and address antisemitism through our Campus Climate Initiative.

• We have a clear and compelling vision for moving forward: Contrary to Tolle鈥檚 assertions that the Hillel movement is lacking direction, our 2025-2028 clearly expresses our roadmap for ushering in a bold new era of Jewish belonging on campus 鈥� growing Jewish joy and connection, addressing antisemitism and promoting Jewish pride and resilience, and catalyzing the largest-ever cohort of new community leaders in Jewish history. 

The bottom line is that our mission, our values, and our work with Jewish students on campus every day are the best response to the many distortions in the article. Such misrepresentations will not distract us from the critical work we are doing across our movement every day to foster vibrant Jewish life on campus, and strengthen the Jewish people today and for the future.

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鈥淏est of Both Worlds鈥�: Hispanic Heritage Month Reflections

Author

Sara Quintero

Date

October 13, 2025

Every month felt like Hispanic Heritage Month growing up in Miami. I heard more Spanish than English spoken on the streets, Cuban coffee and pastelitos dominated cafes, and my family and our neighbors shared an unspoken past 鈥� we chased the American Dream right to South Florida. We survived, thrived, and lived as Latinos, Jews, and Americans in a place where we could be all three at the same time.

Growing up with a Panamanian mother and Spanish father in one of the most diverse cities in the United States, I have always been comfortable in international spaces. I wanted to broaden my perspective by studying international relations abroad, so I took a major risk as a Northeastern University student by moving to Prague without ever visiting. I completed my first year of college there and the last three in London. Luckily, my decision paid off. 

I excelled in my classes and made lifelong friends. I thrived in my Judaism 鈥� co-founding the Hillel at Northeastern University London and attending services every Friday. At the same time, I began pursuing ways to strengthen my local Hispanic/Latino community, and last year,  I got accepted into a mentorship program for Latin students and young professionals based in the UK.

Growing up in both the Jewish and Hispanic diasporas, many Jewtinos carry our rich traditions and histories, but also our memories of displacement. This became tangible to me in October of 2022, as I sat in the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam, taking in its grand chandelier and Baroque architecture. Here, my ancestors from Fez and Istanbul came together to form the first Sephardic congregation in Amsterdam. Even though we鈥檙e separated by thousands of miles and hundreds of years, I still celebrate the same holidays they did, recite the same prayers, eat the same foods, and sing the same songs in Hebrew and Ladino.聽

Being a Jewish Latina is an integral part of my identity  鈥� it鈥檚 in the music I listen to, the posters and tchotchkes in my room, the food I cook, and the languages I speak. It has even shaped my Jewish journey and leadership, as a priority for me has been making Hillel at Northeastern University London an inclusive space where Jewish students of all backgrounds feel welcome, accepted, and cherished. For example, I鈥檝e led the way in incorporating Sephardi prayers and Ladino songs along with melodies like Shalom Aleichem at Shabbat dinners, and hosted a celebration for Mizrahi Heritage Month. Through these efforts, I鈥檝e seen the positive impact of sewing Jewish diversity into the fabric of a campus Hillel; students, including those who are interested in deepening their Jewish identities or who are just curious about Judaism, are comfortable expressing who they are and showing up to events.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, I鈥檝e been celebrating the way I often connect to my Latina identity: though art. I鈥檝e sought out galleries and exhibitions showcasing the artistic contributions of Hispanic/Latin artists, learned more about Jewish communities across Latin America, found a jazz bar playing Latin Jazz every Wednesday, and have been frequenting the Latin neighbourhoods of London to indulge in pastelitos and attend celebrations. I also took part in a workshop hosted by an Ecuadorian artist, where we used coffee as paint to depict the transnationality of our identities as Latin Americans living in the United Kingdom.

Hispanic Heritage Month sits between Elul and Tishrei just as it falls between September and October. To me, this overlap makes this time of year especially meaningful, a time to reflect inward and celebrate both my Jewish and Latina roots. Elul invites reflections, Hispanic Heritage Month is a reminder to honor the culture and history that shaped me, and Tishrei compels me to put these reflections into action.

Through the exploration of my Jewish and Latina roots, I feel more connected to these cultures than ever. After all, one鈥檚 Jewishness or Latinidad doesn鈥檛 have to end when the other begins. For me, the two are inseparable. The Jews of Latin America are living proof of the resilience and beautiful traditions of Am Yisrael, and my belief is that we will carry the same light and hope into the future as Jewish people. 

Sara Quintero studies politics and international relations at Northeastern University London, and is a member of the 2025-2026 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet.

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