News

Doug Berman Announced as Incoming Board Chair of 糖心vlogl

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

June 29, 2026

Longtime Jewish communal leader and finance executive will assume his position on July 1, 2026.

糖心vlogl announced today that Doug Berman will assume his role as Chair of 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Board of Directors on July 1, 2026, a position he will hold for the next three years. He succeeds outgoing Board Chair Lee Dranikoff.

Berman comes to the role with six years of experience on 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Board of Directors. He most recently acted as treasurer of the board and chair of its finance committee, where he played a central role in shaping the organization鈥檚 financial strategy. He is also a member of the 糖心vlogl Board of Governors and a devoted supporter of campus Hillels across the country, including his alma mater, the University of Virginia. 

鈥淪erving on Hillel鈥檚 board over these past years, especially through the extraordinary challenges Jewish students have faced since October 7, has only deepened my commitment to this organization and its mission,鈥� said Doug Berman, incoming Chair of the 糖心vlogl Board of Directors. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to take on this role at such an important moment and to work toward ensuring every Jewish student has a place to belong.鈥�

His engagement in the Jewish community extends well beyond Hillel. Berman has been an active member of the Jewish Federation of Broward County for more than two decades and is the immediate past chair of its Board of Directors. He also serves on the Executive Board of the Jewish Federations of North America and is a former Executive Board member and lifetime trustee of Temple Dor Dorim in Weston, Florida. 

鈥淒oug has been an invaluable lay leader and supporter within the Hillel movement for many years, and we鈥檙e very fortunate to have him step into this role with such a deep knowledge of our work on campus and the students we serve,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淗is passion for our mission, engagement with our field and strategic perspective position him to make a significant impact leading our board of directors.” 

In addition to his communal work, Berman serves as co-President of H.I.G. Capital, LLC, helping grow the firm into a leading global investment platform with more than $70 billion in assets under management. He previously worked as a consultant at Bain & Company. 

Berman and his wife, Jodi, live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Park City, Utah. Jodi also served as the immediate past chair of Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County. 

The new officers serving alongside Berman will be Vice Chairs Jack Azagury and Laurie Blitzer, and Treasurer/Secretary Marina Jacobson. Several new board members will be joining as well: Jacki Karsh of Los Angeles, California, Executive Director Charles Cohen of Metro Chicago Hillel, and Executive Director Donna Schwartz of University of Delaware Hillel.听

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News

A Farewell Message from Board of Directors Chair Lee Dranikoff

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

June 25, 2026

When I became the chair of 糖心vlogl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 糖心vlogl 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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News

From the Desk of Adam Lehman: Hineni, Cultivating Student Leaders

Author

Adam Lehman

Date

March 24, 2026

Friends,

As we journey through the Torah on our path to Passover, we just concluded the Torah portion “Vayikra,” meaning “And He Called鈥� and have moved into the portion of “Tsav,” meaning 鈥淐ommand鈥�, detailing the rights and responsibilities for Aaron, his sons, and their descendants as kohanim, or priests. Both in this biblical context and our modern world, it鈥檚 hard not to think about the critical importance of leadership – the leadership to which we feel called, and that for which we feel responsible and accountable.听

Fortunately, through our unique role on campuses across North America and around the world, we鈥檙e in a position at Hillel to meaningfully impact the future of Jewish leadership. In fact, we鈥檝e made it a top priority in our current听听to catalyze the largest ever generation of Jewish leaders in history, developing and empowering students who have the know-how, motivation, and Jewish grounding to lead us all into a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Jewish future.

One way we鈥檙e fostering this next generation of Jewish leaders is through our new Hillel听Leadership Passport听program. This Passport program brings high potential Hillel student leaders to the major convenings of partner organizations, so they can learn from the wisdom of leaders across the Jewish community, build bonds with one another, and return to campus with greater knowledge and networks they can apply in their Hillel leadership roles and broader campus work.

Last week, we hosted 65 outstanding student delegates in New York for ADL鈥檚 鈥淣ever is Now,鈥� the world鈥檚 largest summit on antisemitism and hate, connecting them to high-impact content, professionals, and lay leaders. Highlights of the program included an exclusive breakfast with key Jewish influencers, a panel conversation featuring two exceptional student leaders, and breakout sessions and plenaries, where students learned from and built connections with community leaders. They鈥檙e returning to campus with new tools, inspiration, and a stronger sense of belonging 鈥� ready to strengthen Jewish life at their universities and beyond. Mateen Markzar, a Brown University student, reflected on this experience, saying, 鈥淭he 糖心vlogl Leadership Passport has made it possible for students like me to be front and center at these conferences and events that are shaping the future of Jewish life.鈥�

糖心vlogl鈥檚 Ruach Fellowship is another program preparing Jewish students to lead on their campus communities. This new fellowship is designed for students who arrive on campus with meaningful Jewish knowledge and a passion for Jewish life, empowering them to lead Shabbat and other core Jewish experiences in ways that add energy and spirit to these foundational Hillel programs. Earlier this month, 60 campus mentors and student leaders from across North America gathered at Capital Camps and Retreat Center in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, for a Shabbaton teeming with ruach, or spirit: in soulful services, an inspiring fireside chat, and in reflections on risk-taking and authenticity in leadership. The fellows stepped into their roles as hosts and builders of sacred community, imagining vibrant future Shabbats on their campuses听

This past week, we hosted our eighth annual Israel Summit, bringing together more than 150 student leaders from 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Israel Leadership Network. Representing over 150 campuses across North America, these students are dedicated to Israel-related education, engagement, and advocacy. The Shabbaton-style summit, held at Penn Hillel, offered skill-building and learning opportunities, enhancing each participant鈥檚 ability to lead thoughtful, informed conversations about Israel at their Hillels and campuses. Among the many highlights, ILN leaders heard an incredible account from Matan Sivek about how he and his team at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum helped to secure the release of hostages brutally taken during the horrific attacks of October 7th. The students were not only moved by the incredible emotion of Matan鈥檚 stories, but also inspired by the difference he was able to make by saying hineni, here I am, when he was called upon to help. They also learned from other scholars and advocates including Ambassador Dennis Ross, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, Iranian diaspora activist Elica Le Bon, and interfaith leader Pastor Carl Day.

Time and again, we鈥檝e seen how strong leaders have played critical roles in protecting and sustaining Jewish life, including in Purim and Passover, the holidays which bookend this message. Now too, we desperately need leaders, and at Hillel, we are answering that call through our unique role in developing, empowering and supporting this next generation of great Jewish leaders.

With gratitude,

Adam Lehman
President and CEO of 糖心vlogl

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News

The Jerusalem Post: Activating Jewish Service Through Partnerships, Collaboration

Author

Eric Fingerhut, Cindy Greenberg and Adam Lehman

Date

January 28, 2026

Originally published on January 28, 2026 in The Jerusalem Post, written by President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America Eric Fingerhut, CEO of Repair the World Cindy Greenberg, and President and CEO of 糖心vlogl Adam Lehman,听discusses the importance of Jewish volunteer service as a pathway to belonging and community building. Here are excerpts from their piece.

“Volunteer service has long been one of the Jewish community鈥檚 most powerful tools for embodying our values, creating connection, and building resilience. Today, as we navigate a world shaped by rising antisemitism, polarization, and profound communal challenges, Jewish service is both an antidote to isolation and an opportunity to make a measurable difference for both the Jewish community and the broader world.

Over the past several months, we have seen firsthand how service can be a transformative entry point into Jewish identity and community 鈥� especially when it鈥檚 integrated across the ecosystem of Jewish institutions. What if Jewish service becomes a core element of how Hillels, JCCs, Federations, synagogues, and camps engage their people and build Jewish life?

That vision is already coming to life thanks to strategic collaborations between more than 60 organizations, including Repair the World, , and 糖心vlogl 鈥� the organizations we are privileged to lead. Our partnership is powered by the Jewish Service Alliance, which was founded in 2020 to meet urgent needs during the COVID-19 crisis.

Since that time, the JSA has grown into a dynamic coalition of Jewish communal partners uniting through volunteer service to inspire Jewish life, deepen Jewish education, and strengthen communities. Together, the JSA has engaged nearly 400,000 participants in nearly 700,000 acts of service and learning across 35+ states and 10 countries. This movement is meeting urgent needs and sparking Jewish learning and identity development, where Jews find purpose, connection, and a renewed sense of belonging.”

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From the Desk of Adam Lehman: Six Predictions for Jewish Life on Campus in 2026

Author

Adam Lehman

Date

January 14, 2026

Friends,

Students are in the process of returning to campus for the spring semester or winter quarter. Given the volatility and unpredictability of campus life during the past several years, many people in the Jewish community and beyond are understandably wondering: what will the next 12 months look like for Jewish students on campus?

Based on everything we鈥檙e seeing and doing through the Hillel movement, here are my predictions for what Jewish life on campus will look like in 2026:听

1. Fewer Antisemitic Incidents on Campus
Campuses witnessed less hostility this fall compared to any time since October 7, 2023. There were fewer overall incidents of antisemitism, including a significantly lower number of assaults and physical harassments impacting Jewish students. Universities are more consistently enforcing time, place, and manner restrictions on protest activities, preventing out-of-control disruptions that spawned hostility and vitriol directed at Jewish and Zionist students. And my recent discussions with university leaders from across the country have underscored their commitments to maintain safer, more inclusive environments for Jewish students and all students.

Even so, we continue to see and address a high volume of instances of more targeted harassment, vandalism, and discrimination 鈥� especially online, in dorm rooms and classrooms. As such, we鈥檒l be continuing to deepen our work with universities to establish and enforce stronger policies to govern the conduct of students, staff and faculty, and expand our support for Jewish students to advocate for themselves through resources like听. We鈥檒l also be fostering new initiatives to grow understanding and support from other communities on campus, through initiatives like our听(pursued in partnership with UNCF and the Blue Square Alliance), and new bridge-building service cohorts we鈥檙e pursuing in partnership with Repair the World. Based on all of these further investments, I expect that we鈥檒l see more significant reductions in targeted acts of antisemitism and further improvements in the overall campus climate for Jewish students.

2. Sustained Growth in Deep Jewish Life Engagement and Leadership
At Hillel, we鈥檝e sustained record levels of overall student engagement, with nearly 200,000 students participating in our Jewish life programs and experiences during the 2025 calendar year. While we鈥檒l continue to invest in growing those overall levels of engagement, I expect 2026 to be defined more by growth in the depth of how Jewish students engage.

The challenges of the past two years have awoken a heightened level of identity and commitment for many of the Jewish students we serve. This deeper commitment was personified by the more than 80 student leaders who I met with as part of our Hillel Leadership Passport program at the 2025 JFNA General Assembly. In my discussions with students from small campuses like Clark and York, to large campuses like Michigan and UCLA, and global Hillels including those in Montreal, Rio, Poland, and Israel, I was blown away by the inspiring ways these students are embracing their opportunities to lead their peers and strengthen their campus Jewish communities. (You can see my听.)

In addition, for students who initially sought out Jewish spaces to just be in social environments where they wouldn鈥檛 need to explain or defend their Jewish and Zionist identities and beliefs, I expect we鈥檒l see many of them pursuing new opportunities to deepen their Jewish understanding and identities through involvement in Jewish learning, Shabbat, and other immersive Jewish experiences. I saw this deepening level of engagement in action during fall Shabbat programs and other Hillel events at campuses ranging from Brown to GWU to University of Oklahoma. And we鈥檒l be supporting these enhanced Jewish experiences through our new Ruach Fellowship, training and empowering 60 student ritual and song leaders to add vitality and spirit to Shabbat and other core Jewish experiences at the 24 campus Hillels piloting this new fellowship program.

3. Resurgent Israel Travel
I predict we鈥檒l see a major bounce-back in student travel to Israel. When we opened registration for summer Birthright Israel trips in December, we saw a strong response; and provided that there鈥檚 not a resumption of active wars in the region, I expect we鈥檒l generate and see high interest for all of the immersive Israel experiences we offer. On campus, it鈥檚 inevitable that there will be continued campaigns to delegitimize and demonize Israel, due to the dedicated core of students and outside organizations who have made this their mission. However, we鈥檝e already seen a major decrease this academic year in BDS initiatives at student government levels, and I expect we鈥檒l continue to see these tactics falter and fail, including based on听.听

4. Discernible Shift in Jewish Student Enrollment
We will see even more demonstrable growth in Jewish student enrollment at institutions in the Southeast and Southwest, due to both perceptions around where Jewish students will find more welcoming campus environments, and cost considerations. We鈥檙e leaning into this growth through enhanced Hillel presence both at campuses with large and growing Jewish student populations, such as University of Florida, Florida State, University of Central Florida, Arizona State University, University of Texas at Austin and University of Colorado at Boulder and University of Alabama, and campuses that are emerging as newer destinations for Jewish students, such as High Point, Clemson, and Southern Methodist University.听

5. The Organizational Landscape Will Return to Normalcy
As the media and public focus continues to shift away from the quad, many of the organizations that ramped up campus-focused initiatives following October 7 will quietly retrench from those initiatives, simplifying the landscape for students, administrators, and the few Jewish organizations, like Hillel, that were dedicated to Jewish life on campus before October 7 and will remain focused on campus moving forward. At the same time, we鈥檒l be expanding our Hillel Leadership Passport program to make it easier for other Jewish community organizations to incorporate student participation in their signature convenings and programs.

6. The Dominant Vibe Will Be Joy, Not Oy
While we鈥檒l still be contending with both heightened issues of antisemitism unique to this period and longer term structural issues in how higher education perceives and addresses these dynamics, I鈥檓 confident that the dominant campus experience for the vast majority of Jewish students will be positive, as they derive joy, meaning, and a deeper sense of belonging from their involvement in Jewish life on campus. This fall, we saw this expression of joy and belonging take beautiful shape both on a wide variety of campuses and at the many new regional Jewish student convenings we supported this fall, such as the听,听, and the听.

Bottom line, I see 2026 providing clear opportunities to grow stronger and more vibrant Jewish life on campus – and at Hillel, we鈥檒l be doing everything within our power to cultivate and nurture those opportunities for Jewish students on campuses across the country and around the world.听

With gratitude,

Adam Lehman
President and CEO of 糖心vlogl

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News

The Hill-tern Pipeline: From Student Leader to Hillel Professional

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

January 6, 2026

I was the kind of college student who found my way to the Hillel building even before my first day of classes 鈥� and I never really left. During my four years at the University of Kansas (KU), I took on a range of student leadership roles, culminating in a 糖心vlogl marketing internship in my senior year. 

I fully embraced the resources and mentorship available to me, both through KU Hillel and from 糖心vlogl. I learned from Hillel professionals who were generous with their time and guidance as I explored what might come next after graduation. With their support, I felt confident pursuing a career as a Jewish professional. In what came as a surprise to no one but me, I鈥檓 now a Springboard Innovation Fellow at Syracuse Hillel.

I made this transition alongside two fellow 鈥淗ill-terns鈥� (糖心vlogl interns), Emily and Julia. Throughout our senior year, we had developed semi-professional, mostly virtual friendships, but meeting in person 鈥� and cementing our friendship鈥� at the 糖心vlogl鈥檚 New Professionals Institute in July confirmed that I had made the right choice. 

As a Springboard Fellow, I focus heavily on student engagement, spending time every day talking with students and supporting them however I can. My portfolio, which differs depending on university needs, includes community service and wellness programming, so I also work with students in both of these areas.

My first semester as a Springboard Fellow was both a whirlwind and a learning curve, as I navigated a cross-country move, built relationships with my cohort, students, and colleagues, and began to define what being a Jewish professional means to me. And as the semester wound down, I started gearing up for what would be a social and educational highlight of the year.

From the moment I walked into 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Global Assembly, our annual gathering of 1,100 Hillel professionals, partners, and sponsors,  I was greeted by familiar faces. I ran into 糖心vlogl professionals I had worked with as an intern, my new Springboard cohort, current coworkers, and former supervisors who are now colleagues. The sense of connection was energizing and carried me through the next three days. HIGA was filled with opportunities to build new relationships, strengthen existing ones, and engage in learning that I鈥檓 excited to bring back to campus.

One of the highlights of the week was participating in an all-day immersive session focused on storytelling. I spent the day learning from communications professionals from 糖心vlogl and Harvard Hillel. Having previously collaborated with some of these professionals as an intern, it was especially meaningful to engage with them as colleagues and learn from their expertise. I鈥檓 excited to implement new and creative ways to tell stories to students and donors, as well as to bring a fun improv game (which really got our creative juices flowing!) back to Syracuse with me.

It was also a joy to reconnect with current and former 糖心vlogl interns and to see how others were navigating intern-to-professional journeys. Today, five Springboard Fellows across two cohorts are also alumni of the internship program, a testament to the impact of early professional development within Hillel. Gathering with past interns in person reinforced my gratitude for the internship program and the community it fosters.

Thanks to HIGA, I feel refreshed and re-energized going into the spring semester. The infectious energy of so many Hillel professionals in one room will stick with me for a long time. During HIGA, I also was part of a core conversation about challenges Hillel professionals may face while on the job. Feeling immediately seen and heard by people I had just met showcased the incredible sense of community Hillel provides. I鈥檓 absolutely harnessing that feeling to incorporate it as soon as the Syracuse students come back this month.

Hillel has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I鈥檓 deeply thankful for the role it is playing in launching my career. I鈥檓 grateful to KU Hillel and the 糖心vlogl internship program for laying the foundation, and to Syracuse Hillel and the Springboard team for the mentorship, support, and cohort experience that continue to shape my growth. I鈥檓 excited to see where this role will 鈥渟pringboard鈥� me next.

To learn more about the Springboard Fellowship or to apply, click here.

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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.听

“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听
• Bar Segev 鈥� Jewish Agency and Escoll Family Israel Fellow, Vanderbilt Hillel听
• 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听
• 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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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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Introducing Chairperson-Elect of the 糖心vlogl Board of Directors, Doug Berman

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

November 11, 2025

As the Chairperson-elect of the 糖心vlogl Board of Directors, Doug Berman brings decades of professional success and deep-rooted commitment to strengthening Jewish identity and connection for communities across the country, both locally and on college campuses. Following an upcoming vote in the spring of 2026, Doug will succeed Lee Dranikoff as chair of the 糖心vlogl Board of Directors when Lee鈥檚 term concludes on June 30, 2026.

Doug has been deeply involved with Hillel for many years, serving as a member of the 糖心vlogl Board of Directors, and currently as treasurer of the board and chair of the finance committee, where he plays a vital role in shaping the organization鈥檚 financial strategy and long-term sustainability. A champion of the Hillel movement, Doug is also a member of the 糖心vlogl Board of Governors and a longtime supporter of several campus Hillels 鈥� including his alma mater, the University of Virginia, where the Brody Jewish Center鈥檚 Larry W. Berman Student Commons was established through the generosity of Doug and his family.

Beyond Hillel, Doug has been an active and engaged member of the Jewish Federation of Broward County for more than twenty years, currently serving as the chair of the Federation鈥檚 Board of Directors. He also serves on the Executive Board of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Doug is a former Executive Board member and lifetime Trustee of Temple Dor Dorim, reflecting his lifelong dedication to Jewish community building. 

Professionally, Doug is the Executive Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Capital鈥檚 U.S. Private Equity business, where he helped grow the firm into a leading global investment platform with more than $70 billion in assets under management. Before joining H.I.G. in 1996, Doug worked as a consultant at Bain & Company. He holds a B.A. with Honors in Economics from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is a frequent guest lecturer.

Doug and his wife, Jodi 鈥� a respected Jewish communal leader in her own right and immediate past Chair of Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County 鈥� live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Park City, Utah. They are the proud parents of three sons 鈥� Zachary, Ethan, and Charlie.

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Hillel During the Firestorm: Shelter, Teacher, Negotiator

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

November 3, 2025

At Brown University, the executive director of Hillel received anonymous death threats. At Columbia University, the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life was approached by protesters calling for Hillel鈥檚 removal. And at Harvard University, Jewish students entering Rosovsky Hall 鈥� home to Harvard Hillel 鈥� were greeted by chants of 鈥淶ionists are not welcome here.鈥� The surge in antisemitism since the October 7, 2023 attacks has left many Jewish students feeling fearful and isolated. On college campuses, Hillel directors have stood squarely in the breach as educators, community-builders, and, at times, crisis managers.

Moderated by Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, 糖心vlogl campus support director and senior educator, a recent conversation at The Temple Emanu-El鈥檚 Streicker Center in New York brought together five Hillel executive directors: Rabbi Josh Bolton (Brown RISD Hillel), Brian Cohen (Columbia/Barnard Hillel鈥檚 Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life), Jessica Lemons (Stony Brook Hillel), Rabbi Jason Rubenstein (Harvard Hillel), and Merav Fine Braun (Rita Levine Rabin Hillel at Hunter College).

Rabbi Leshaw framed the stakes clearly: even as eight in 10 Jewish students have experienced or witnessed antisemitism in the last two years, more than 187,000 students engaged with Hillel this past year, the most since Hillel鈥檚 founding in 1923. The crisis has also catalyzed a generation of Jewish students seeking deeper belonging, learning, and purpose.

鈥淚鈥檓 going to go back before October 7th, and just share that Columbia University had one of the most vibrant, engaged, diverse  Jewish communities,鈥� said Brian Cohen. Then the campus environment shifted drastically. He added, 鈥淲hat I鈥檓 here to tell you, unfortunately, is that the encampments were the very tip of the iceberg. When you go under the surface and look at what too many students, faculty, and staff experienced, it was tokenization, exclusion, harassment, bullying, complete disregard for the rules of the university, and a complete disregard for just civility towards one another.鈥� Safety came first. The university closed its gates to the public on October 12, 2023, something it had not done since September 11, 2001, amid surging demonstrations on and around campus.

鈥淭he second piece was just ensuring Jewish joy on campus,鈥� Cohen said. An Israeli psychologist began holding weekly hours in the Hillel building, lowering barriers for students to seek support in Hebrew and English. Hillel hosted Israeli musician Ishay Ribo for a restorative concert. But Cohen also found himself in the role of advocate for Jewish students. 鈥淲e asked people to reach out to the president’s office at Columbia and demand that the president meet with Jewish and Israeli students. The other piece is that we demanded that the rules be clarified and enforced,鈥� he reflected.听

At Hunter College, where the Jewish population includes Russian, Mizrahi, and Orthodox students, the students鈥� needs were different. As a commuter campus with 80% food insecurity among students, Hunter鈥檚 student needs are foundational and urgent. Fine Braun praised partners who backed concrete solutions. 鈥淲e finally got kosher food at our cafeteria鈥� but you can get it at Hunter Hillel for less鈥� free if you need it to be free, but more if you want to pay,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur campus, Hunter, was [also] the first to pioneer a full-time social worker on our campus, embedded in the Hillel. I’m deeply proud of this program. It has been life changing for our students, and it’s nationwide now and CUNY-wide now.” 

The week after October 7, 鈥淲e came into the Week of Rage, in which our entire school was cloaked in keffiyehs,鈥� Fine Braun recalled. She wanted to remind students that Hillel would always be their home away from home. 鈥淚 called 150 students that day. I made a video and I posted it on Instagram. And what I said in the video was, 鈥業 want you to remember that I love you and you’re beautiful, and you deserve to be here, and your joy matters. So come to Hillel.鈥欌�� 

For Stony Brook Hillel鈥檚 Jessica Lemons, the moment that changed everything came in a phone call from campus police. 鈥淭hey asked me if we needed extra security,鈥� she remembered. 鈥淎nd I asked them why? What should I know that you know? And they said, 鈥楧o you know what’s happening in Israel?鈥欌�� That call was emblematic of the relationships Stony Brook had already built. 鈥淧rior to October 7th, we actually had an antisemitism task force already in place,鈥� Lemons said. 

The first year was bruising: encampments, two rounds of arrests, harassment of visibly Jewish students, and even Lemons鈥� car being keyed. Then, according to Lemons, their administration said, 鈥淒on鈥檛 get comfortable, don鈥檛 relax, because we鈥檝e got work to do.鈥� They mapped policies for every scenario, clarified procedures, trained faculty and staff on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and met regularly with SUNY leadership. 鈥淲e saw a 90% decrease in reported antisemitic incidents from the 2023-2024 academic year to the following year,鈥� Lemons reported. 鈥淚 think it is really indicative of the fact that when you make policies and you actually stick to the consequences that you’ve articulated to students, faculty, and staff, it actually makes a big difference.鈥�

In Providence, Rhode Island, Rabbi Josh Bolton described a Brown University campus that is 鈥渜uieter than a year ago,鈥� yet still shaped by deeper currents that erupted after October 7th. He sees students turning to Jewish life not only for refuge but for meaning. Engagement is strong, and students are creating new initiatives, especially in the arts. Last year, amid divestment debates, Brown RISD Hillel adopted a refrain rooted in pragmatic joy. Rabbi Bolton said, 鈥淲hen the calls are made to divest, we believe that this is a time to invest strongly in the future of Jewish life on campus.鈥� Still, Rabbi Bolton warned that anti-Zionist and antisemitic rhetoric is entrenched in the broader university culture, a phenomenon that won鈥檛 change overnight. 鈥淲hat are the long-term models that we’re going to use and employ in order to begin to dial that culture in a different direction,鈥� he said.

At Harvard, Rabbi Jason Rubenstein urged his community to broaden their approach to antisemitism. 鈥淲e鈥檝e primarily defaulted to a framework of, 鈥楢re Jewish students safe?鈥� [But there can also be] a major problem for the Jewish community, even if there are no Jewish students in that seminar room,鈥� he shared. He described a culture where 鈥渋t鈥檚 kind of axiomatic that Israel is evil, maybe the paradigm of evil.鈥� Rabbi Rubenstein has focused on helping alumni become 鈥渋nformed, cohesive, and effective,鈥� coordinating messages and relationships 鈥� including with Harvard governance stakeholders 鈥� so change happens at the level that endures. 

Across their differences, a shared picture emerges where Hillel directors became crisis responders and spiritual counselors, policy partners and culture builders, sometimes all in the same day. As Rabbi Danielle Leshaw noted, the numbers tell only part of the story. The rest is found in the leaders who refused to let fear define Jewish life for their students, and who insisted, in every language available, that Jewish belonging, learning, and love still have a home on campus.

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