News

Inspired by Jewish Women Past and Present

Author

Elina Shikher

Date

March 9, 2026

Elina Shikher is a student at the University of Potsdam and a member of the ����vlogl Student Cabinet. In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Elina shared her inspiration for creating unique spaces for Jewish women through her involvement with Hillel Deutschland.��

“God has placed abilities and callings in our hearts, without regard to gender.”
— Rabbi Regina Jonas, Central-Verein-Zeitung, June 23, 1938

Regina Jonas was the first modern woman to become a rabbi. And every time I walk to the Hillel building in Berlin, I walk past a street named for her. 

Born in Berlin in 1902, Jonas grew up in a strictly religious family in Germany and studied to become a religious education teacher. But Jonas wanted more. She was determined to become a rabbi, a role that, until then, had been reserved only for men. When the Nazis came to power, Jonas’ work became increasingly difficult. Still, she refused to give up on her dream. In 1935, Rabbi Max Dienemann gave Jonas her oral exam and ordained her as a rabbi.

Rabbi Jonas continued her work even after being deported to concentration camp Theresienstadt during the Holocaust, where she preached sermons and provided pastoral care to fellow prisoners. She was murdered in October 1944 at Auschwitz. After the Shoah, Rabbi Jonas’ name largely faded from memory. It was only after German reunification that her writings were rediscovered and published. And in December 2025, a street in Berlin was named after her. 

Every time I see her name on that  sign, I feel a sense of awe. I am reminded that the spaces we gather in today, at Hillel and elsewhere as Jews, would not exist without women like Regina. Her service to  her community made it possible for me, a Jewish woman in modern Berlin, to have a Jewish space where women are called up to read the Torah, lead services, and study Talmud.

But even more than that, Rabbi Jonas lay the groundwork for a community where my friends and I find  sisterhood, and a safe environment to explore what Judaism means to us.

At Hillel Germany, we regularly host FLINTA* events including Shabbats, brunches, and learning gatherings. (FLINTA is a German abbreviation meaning women, lesbians, intersex, nonbinary, trans, and agender people. The asterisk represents all nonbinary gender identities and explicitly includes queer individuals.) We come together to learn with and from each other, to discuss everything from university policies to our favorite books, and to enjoy each other’s company in an environment that feels intentional and supportive.

At one of our recent FLINTA network brunches, we invited inspiring speakers — psychologists, activists, and Jewish theology students — who spoke about resilience, Jewish philosophy, queerness in Judaism, and how we can embrace all voices in Jewish spaces to make them more inclusive. It was truly inspiring and empowering to witness these conversations unfold.

At another Shabbat program, my colleague and I created a fun quiz highlighting remarkable Jewish FLINTA figures. We shared lesser-known facts and invited everyone to guess who we were describing.

Of course, we included Rabbi Regina Jonas, focusing on details many people may not know, such as how she made intentional choices to always assert her own identity with pride and joy. .

Sometimes I wonder what Rabbi Jonas would think if she could see us now. Women leading the Friday night prayers of kabbalat Shabbat in Berlin. Jewish students studying together and debating Jewish philosophy over brunch. Jewish women laughing, questioning, and building community.

For me, being a Jewish woman in Berlin today means being part of a Hillel community where my questions, my doubts, and my voice are valued. It means knowing that the spaces I move through so naturally today have been fought for by generations of Jewish women.

And it means continuing to create Jewish spaces where all voices belong and can help shape the future.

The post Inspired by Jewish Women Past and Present appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

Across Ukraine, Hillel Offers Refuge Amid War and Loss

Author

����vlogl

Date

February 16, 2026

In Ukraine, Jewish college students and young adults are building Jewish lives in the shadow of war – a daily reality since Russia’s full-scale invasion into the country four years ago this month. Amid constant danger, loss of loved ones, and attacks on infrastructure, they try to maintain a semblance of normalcy, even as almost 15 thousand Ukrainian civilians have been killed and just over 40 thousand wounded since the start of the war, according to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. These young adults  attend Shabbat dinners against the backdrop of air raid sirens, volunteer with Hillel around the clock to deliver food to those in need, and lead programming with hundreds of participants despite threats to their security. 

For these students, Hillel CASE is more than a place to gather. It is a refuge and a reminder that Jewish life can endure, even in the darkest moments.

“The war has profoundly affected our students both physically and psychologically,” said Lesia Firsanova, director of Hillel Kyiv. “Many live with ongoing safety risks, including air raid sirens, disrupted sleep, displacement, and unstable living conditions. Mentally, students experience chronic anxiety, grief, emotional exhaustion, and difficulty imagining the future.”

It’s not hard to understand why the future seems so uncertain. Since Russia first launched its invasion, Ukraine has been completely transformed. Civilian deaths are reported almost daily, and there are extensive disruptions to electricity, heating, and water supplies. 

“Many of our students have experienced significant losses because of the war,” said Alyona Kolpina, director of Dnipro Hillel. “Some have lost their homes, others have lost friends, neighbors, or people they knew from their communities. Even when the loss was not directly within their family, the impact has been deeply personal and painful.”

“It’s very difficult to describe,” said Osik Akselrud, the regional director of Hillel CASE (Central Asia and Southeastern Europe). “ No heat, no water. No light. It’s unbelievable. But we keep working.”

Even as three Hillel centers were destroyed by missile attacks, Hillel has remained a lifeline for Ukrainian Jewish students, creating spaces where they can speak openly about what they’re going through, find connection and support, and have Jewish experiences that are nourishing and worth showing up for. 

“Being together in community has helped many students process their grief and feel that they’re not carrying it alone,” Kolpina said, adding, “For our students, Jewish community provides continuity, identity, and comfort during chaos. In times of war, traditions like Shabbat, holidays, and shared learning remind them who they are and what they belong to. It gives them strength, hope, and a sense that they are not facing this reality alone.”

In Dnipro, where the Hillel building was destroyed by a Russian airstrike in June 2024, students lost a stable home that they relied on. In response, Hillel professionals in Dnipro designed Rooted Together, a program that blends nature-based mindfulness with Jewish rituals that center on reflection, transition, and connection. 

The program was run as a weekend retreat, creating intentional distance from daily wartime stresses. It combined mindfulness, creative reflection, shared meals, and concluded with Havdalah to mark the transition in a way that drew on Jewish rhythms. Students also built skills to notice distress and support one another once they returned home. 

In Ukraine’s capital, Hillel Kyiv has been a place for consistency, emotional safety, and a sense of belonging. Their Res(e)t initiative, a Shabbat-inspired project the team designed to help Jewish students unplug and regulate their nervous systems, was created in partnership with a wellbeing grant from ����vlogl to help alleviate some of the heavy burdens they bear.��

“Hillel Kyiv became the place where I could finally unleash my emotions,” shared participant Anna B. “I learned that slowing down is not giving up — it’s how I survive.”

For students displaced from frontline or occupied regions, programs like Res(e)t have been life-changing.

“I didn’t understand how much I needed to stop until someone created a space where stopping felt safe,” one participant shared. Stefan L., another Hillel Kyiv participant, added, “In a time when everything feels uncertain, Hillel Kyiv gives me stability and belonging. It reminds me that community is a source of energy, and it’s not only about electricity.”

One of the biggest shifts in Hillel programming in Ukraine has been the expansion of volunteer opportunities. Putting aside their individual pain and distress, students have shown up in large numbers to support their communities, distributing food packages and bringing holiday celebrations to neighbors who cannot leave their homes.

“Our students are getting a feeling of responsibility for Jewish communities and for Jewish life,” Akselrud said. “It’s very important, from my point of view. These are our stories.”

“I’ve spent 30 years in Hillel, and for me, Hillel is my life, everything,” Akselrud continued. “And before the war, I felt that Hillel [was] a very important Jewish organization for young adults, doing great things. But during the war, I have no words. Before, some people would ask, ‘What is Hillel?’ But everybody in Ukraine now knows what Hillel means. They know Hillel’s students, Hillel’s activities. Everybody knows .”

The post Across Ukraine, Hillel Offers Refuge Amid War and Loss appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

Leadership, Connection, and Global Peoplehood: Reflections from the First Cohort of the Matanel Fellowship

Author

����vlogl

Date

February 4, 2026

����vlogl’s commitment to fostering Jewish leadership is exemplified by the first cohort of the annual . This program, spearheaded by Hillel Israel in partnership with ����vlogl and the Matanel Foundation, brings together Jewish students from Israel, North America, and Europe for a year-long course of study designed to build international friendships and leadership.��

“Over the course of this year, I have been engaged with the beauty and complexity of pluralistic Judaism,” said Gilad Schonberger, a second-year industrial engineering and management student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and a member of the inaugural cohort. “This fellowship isn’t just a moment. It is a mirror. It reflects back the kind of leader I want to be, the kind of community I want to help build, and the kind of Jewish future I want to be a part of.”

Launched in January 2025, the inaugural cohort included 15 participants, five each from Israel, the United States, and Poland. Hillel professionals nominated students from their home countries to apply for the fellowship, which included a mix of online, in-person, and project-based learning. 

Over the course of the year, Fellows participated in eight online learning sessions that covered Jewish identity, pluralism, and peoplehood; social and demographic trends of Jewish communities; and Jewish texts and traditions. Facilitated by inspiring speakers, each session placed an emphasis on building skills and knowledge while creating a safe space for healthy conversations and disagreements.

“Matanel Fellowship is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a transformative experience that blends personal growth with meaningful engagement in the Jewish world,” said Hillel Poland Fellow Katarzyna. “It’s not just about learning – it’s about connecting with passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a commitment to making a positive impact.”

In May, the cohort came together for an in-person Shabbaton in Budapest, one of Eastern Europe’s largest Jewish communities,  with a rich, vast history of Jewish peoplehood. In addition to Shabbat programming and plenty of time to deepen relationships, students took a tour of the city, and focused on the ways that Jewish memory is told and retold through narratives and traditions. Students also spoke about the importance of remembering the past both as a series of facts and a collection of memories and emotions to be shared. 

One of the key components of the Fellowship was a participant’s final project, designed to reflect their learning throughout the year. These projects could be proposals for programs, essays, visual art, poetry, or any other form of media, as long as they answered two key questions: 

1. What is one challenge that you see within the global Jewish community and what is your vision for resolving this challenge?
2. What role do you foresee for yourself within that resolution?

“[The Fellowship] is an opportunity to grapple with what global Jewish peoplehood means and… learn more about your own story from a new perspective,” shared Yakira, one of the fellows from Hillel Israel. 

����vlog the Fellows’ Final Projects

Columbia-Barnard Hillel

Anna Birman: Becoming the Link: Living L’Dor va’Dor (from Generation to Generation)

Empowering middle school and early high school students with the confidence and knowledge they need to move through the Jewish world with confidence.

Hillel Poland

Jan Cichońsk: After October 7: Voices of the Diaspora — Reflections, Challenges, and the Future

Researching reflections from people throughout the Jewish community of Poland to learn how their lives and worldviews have changed since October 7th.��

Hillel Poland

Gabriela Markin: Unorthodox: Everyday Jewish

Exploring the diverse ways in which young Jews in Poland live their Jewishness today through a short documentary.

Hillel Israel

Tsuf Oron: Jewish Identity in a Secular World: A Personal and Visual Exploration

Making Jewish identity more accessible and personal through a photo exhibit highlighting Jewish holidays, rituals, and symbols.

“[Our participants’] final projects reflect their journey and embody our guiding principle: ‘Learn with one another, about one another, and from one another,’” said Noga Brenner Samia, CEO of Hillel Israel. “I couldn’t be prouder of this first cohort of Matanel Fellows. Their words leave me deeply optimistic — the Jewish people are in good hands, with good hearts, and good minds.”

Esti Palmer, associate director of immersive experiences at ����vlogl, wholeheartedly agreed. “This fellowship reignited my motivation to create more opportunities for people to strengthen their connection to their own Jewish story and to the colorful tapestry of our global Jewish community,” she said. “Thank you to our fellows for teaching me what it means to be authentically generous with your passion, your creativity, and your unique Jewish story.” 

To the members of the inaugural cohort: Serdeczne gratulacje! Mazal tov! Congratulations! We can’t wait to see your leadership in action.

The post Leadership, Connection, and Global Peoplehood: Reflections from the First Cohort of the Matanel Fellowship appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

Hillel Poland Hosts a Shabbaton Across Borders

Author

����vlogl

Date

November 12, 2025

Jewish young adults across the world are seeking connection and belonging in their lives. And that’s where global Hillels like Hillel Poland come in. In addition to their regular programming supporting Jewish young adults in cities like Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, and Lodz, Hillel Poland hosted a “Shabbaton Across Borders,” welcoming nearly 100 Hillel participants and staff from Poland, Ukraine, and Germany for a weekend of Jewish learning, community building, and shared sacred time.����

With the support of ����vlogl’s regional student gathering grant program, Shabbaton Across Borders aimed to foster Jewish identity, belonging, and leadership through peer-led workshops, speakers, and immersive activities. Additionally — and meaningfully — it also offered relief and connection for Ukrainian participants away from the ongoing war zone.

Director of Hillel Poland Magda Dorosz shared, “The strength of the  participants and the Shabbaton was shown at every moment of the Shabbaton. In times where it might be easier not to mention your Jewish identity, the pride and joy of being Jewish was felt at every moment of this experience.” 

Learning was a big part of the Shabbaton, the theme of which was “A Path to Wisdom.” Daria Kataeva, a participant from Hillel Deutschland said, “It was such an incredible experience to be part of this Shabbaton! I’m so grateful for the chance to learn, connect, and celebrate together with both the Polish and Ukrainian Hillel communities.”

In addition to a Friday evening storytelling workshop, the Shabbaton also included Saturday morning discussion of the weekly Torah portion, partnered text study, religious and leadership breakout sessions, and multiple opportunities for fun and community-building. On Sunday, students were able to take part in breakout discussion and learning groups. Options included philosophical conversations with topics such as “Yeshiva GPT,” which focused on the role of artificial intelligence in Jewish learning and religious life. Other options included a session on music called, “Chasid Techno,” which looked at the unexpected intersection between Hasidic trance traditions and contemporary techno music, and a number of options for arts and crafts. 

“Learning new things is a true Jewish value,” said Urszula Calów, Hillel Wrocław’s program and engagement coordinator. “[The Shabbaton allowed students] to actively and freely discover their Jewish identity in a safe space. Our participants can show who they are and what’s important to them.”

The leadership portions of the program also covered a range of topics, designed to give participants a chance to engage in areas of meaning to them. Workshops included “Courageous Conversations,” which focused on how to advocate for Jewish issues online and offline, and “What We Can Learn From Our Foremothers,” a discussion section about the values and stories that the current generation of Jewish students can learn from the Jewish women in our history and tradition. There was also a gratitude circle, which focused on approaches to gratitude through the lenses of science, psychology, and Torah.

“We’re deeply grateful for this Shabbaton,” shared Viktoriia Venher, a participant from Hillel CASE. “The opportunity to connect with the Polish Jewish community and experience such a warm and meaningful Shabbat together…was truly special – the atmosphere, the melodies, the feeling of unity.”

“We hope participants take home a deeper understanding of themselves, their heritage, and the power of community knowledge,” said Marta Toborek, Hillel Krakow’s program and engagement coordinator. “The theme of the Shabbaton — the path to wisdom — will inspire everyone to keep exploring, questioning, and growing, both as individuals and as part of the Jewish community.”

“Programs such as the Shabbaton Across Borders are the embodiment of what Jewish joy means for us in a global context – full of life, energy, and spirit,” added Josh Hartman, ����vlogl’s associate vice president of immersive experiences and global operations. “The event would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of the student coordinating committee and the staff of Hillel Poland, Hillel CASE, and Hillel Deutschland!”

Congratulations to Hillel Poland (including Hillel Warsaw, Hillel Krakow, Hillel Lodz, and Hillel Wroclaw), Hillel CASE, and Hillel Deutschland on this incredible event.

The post Hillel Poland Hosts a Shabbaton Across Borders appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

Learning Leadership From History and Each Other: The Matanel Fellowship

Author

Gilad Schonberger

Date

July 3, 2025

Gilad Schonberger is a second-year industrial engineering and management student at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. This year, Gilad is participating in the inaugural cohort of the Matanel Fellowship, a fellowship spearheaded by Hillel Israel, in partnership with ����vlogl and the Matanel Foundation.

As a participant in the Matanel Fellowship through Hillel Israel this year, I have the opportunity to meet Hillel student leaders from around the world. Over the course of this year, I have been engaged with the beauty and complexity of pluralistic Judaism with the goal of leaving inspired and equipped with a renewed sense of purpose for addressing the most pressing challenges facing the global Jewish community today.

Recently, we traveled to Budapest to spend Shabbat together and reflect on both the year behind us and how we want to move forward.��It was one of the most eye-opening journeys I’ve ever experienced. In times like these, it can be easy to forget what binds us together, to focus more on what divides us than on what unites us. But this program reminded me that connection, not division, is at the heart of our story. And it’s these moments of connection that are the true soul of the Jewish people.

Here are a few of the treasures I carried home from this fellowship, particularly from the time we spent together in Budapest.

I learned that unity is not about sameness. It’s about harmony.

Pluralism doesn’t require us to erase our differences. It invites us to let those differences resonate. Like the magnificent choir we heard at the Dohany Street Synagogue, where many voices joined in one song, the beauty wasn’t in uniformity; it was in harmony. We prayed, ate, and blessed together, each in our own way, without compromising our individuality. That sense of belonging without assimilation, created a powerful community. 

I realized that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions.

I came to Budapest thinking that in order to lead, you needed clarity. But I left knowing that the best leaders are those willing to step into uncertainty. They ask honest, vulnerable, and sometimes unanswerable questions. When I had the honour of preparing a d’var Torah for our Shabbat dinner, I chose to center it around a question: “Why did God choose to give us the Torah in the desert?”

I didn’t offer a clear answer. The point was the question itself – an invitation to engage, to journey, to return to the wilderness year after year, wherever we are. Because it’s not about certainty. It’s about showing up willing to ask the important questions.

In addition, I learned that when you lead with vulnerability, you create authentic community.

At the JCC in Budapest, we met people who embody resilience and warmth. Marcel Kenesei, the center’s director, spoke to us about the challenges of building and maintaining Jewish life in a place with a complicated history. “It’s not just about bringing people through the doors,” he said. “It’s about making them stay. Making them feel like they belong to something larger than themselves”. Marcel showed me that real leadership doesn’t begin with charisma or credentials. It begins with honesty, with the courage to show up as a whole person. 

And perhaps it’s no coincidence that all of this happened in Budapest, a city whose Jewish story is both visible and hidden, layered with memory and meaning. From the beauty of its synagogues to the subtle marks of history in its streets, Budapest is a place where the past whispers through the present. Choosing this city as the setting for a gathering on Jewish identity and leadership was itself a statement: that Jewish life is meaningful not only in currently thriving centers, but also in places where it once struggled to survive and is now being rebuilt. That context gave our conversations added depth, reminding us that our work as young leaders is part of a long and fragile chain of resilience and renewal.

This fellowship isn’t just a moment. It is a mirror. It reflects back the kind of leader I want to be, the kind of community I want to help build, and the kind of Jewish future I want to be a part of.

Thank you, Matanel and Hillel, for helping me remember who we are and what we can become when we work together.

The post Learning Leadership From History and Each Other: The Matanel Fellowship appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

The Algemeiner: New Fellowship Connects Jewish Students Across the World

Author

Dion J. Pierre (The Algemeiner)

Date

June 26, 2025

Originally published on June 19, 2025 in The Algemeiner, “” shares students’ experiences participating in the Matanel Fellowship, a collaboration spearheaded by Hillel Israel in partnership with, ����vlogl and made possible by generous support of the Matanel Foundation. Jewish students from Israel, North America, and Europe collaborated on a year-long course of study to foster their connection and leadership, including a Shabbaton experience in Budapest, Hungary. Read on for selected excerpts:

“With antisemitism surging on college campuses across the Western world, [Hillel Israel], ����vlogl and the Matanel Foundation have selected 15 Jewish students for a spot in the inaugural year of the Matanel Fellowship for Global Jewish Leadership, a 12-month program which aims to foster their ‘sense of responsibility’ for the worldwide Jewish community.

They have already created memories that will last a lifetime, Matanel Fellow and Barnard College student Yakira Galler told The Algemeiner during an interview.

‘So far, it’s been amazing. We’ve had three or four Zoom sessions and then we had our midway trip to Budapest,’ Galler said. ‘In our first day in Budapest, we explored both the history of the community, before the war and also under communism, and that was really interesting both because there is a specific type of Jewish sect in Hungary — the Neolog sect — which I had never heard of before. It was also really interesting because Theodor Herzl was born and raised in Budapest, which prompted me to reflect on what that means for this community and the immensity of the intellectual life within it.’

Forging ties between Jews around the globe has never been more important, said another Matanel Fellow, Avihu Sela of Tel-Hai College, located in northern Israel.

‘For me, connecting Jewish people around the world is something we need right now. I’m so happy that they did it, and now I have connections with Jewish people from an array of countries and cultures,’ Sela said. ‘When we all flew out [of] Budapest, it allowed us to have the really deep talk, and to be honest I went in with some deep concerns because I did not know how it would be there. When I arrived, and we did all the tours, exploring everything and seeing Jewish culture and learning about historic events, I felt deep inside that I am part of something so much bigger than myself.’

The post The Algemeiner: New Fellowship Connects Jewish Students Across the World appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

JTA: How the Global Hillel Movement Connects Jewish Communities Across Continents

Author

Dr. Josh Hartman

Date

May 7, 2025

Originally published on May 6, 2025 in the Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA), “,” is written by ����vlogl’s Associate Vice President of Immersive Experiences and Lead of Global Operations Dr. Josh Hartman. Read on to learn more about Hillel communities around the world.

Cleaning up beaches near Rio de Janeiro and learning about Jewish environmental values. Connecting with Jewish study abroad students in London. Discovering the richness and plurality of Jewish traditions at Israeli cultural centers from Haifa to Sderot. Exploring the intersection of art and Jewish identity in Berlin. And helping Jewish students rebuild, physically and emotionally, after bombings in war-torn Ukraine.

What do these experiences have in common?

They’re all possible because of the global Hillel movement. In fact, ����vlogl’s expansive infrastructure enriches the lives of Jewish students and young adults around the world on nearly a thousand campuses and in communities internationally. 

Outside of the United States, there are more than 50 Hillels with vibrant hubs in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, France, Georgia, Germany, Israel, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and Uruguay. With a presence in 16 countries across four continents — spanning 20 time zones and operating in more than 10 languages — tens of thousands of students and young adults engage with Hillel from outside of North America. 

And it’s easy to understand why.

Hillel is about bringing young Jewish adults together, wherever they are, to connect the global Jewish community. That shared connection unites young Jewish people all around the world, whether they’ve grown up immersed in Jewish culture and speaking Hebrew, like many of the Hillel Israel participants, or they’ve only just learned about their Jewish identity, like some of the young people in Hillel Poland. Just like on North American campuses, where Hillel focuses on paving a pathway for college students to celebrate and participate in Jewish life, international Hillels around the world are meeting Jewish young adults where they are by creating experiences that help them explore their Jewish identity, deepen their sense of belonging, and actively shape their communities.

Just like in the United States and Canada, Hillel’s global communities focus on providing a Jewish home away from home. Earlier this spring, ����vlogl hosted an event in London for students who are studying abroad, away from their home countries, and far from their local Hillels and Jewish campus communities. The first-ever Hillel Global Social gave them an opportunity to celebrate Purim and to experience Jewish joy with over 100 Jewish students studying throughout Europe. People walked away with new friends, with a place to go for Shabbat dinner the following weekend, and with plans to attend  as a group.

Everyone wants more connection and a feeling of belonging as part of a welcoming community, and that’s where Hillel’s programming thrives.

Unlike most North American Hillels, many international Hillels are affiliated with cities, rather than with colleges or universities. But just like no two college campuses are alike, every international Hillel has its own unique character and programming, developed in order to best serve their communities. 

For example, Jewish students in Israel speak Hebrew, follow the Jewish calendar, and spend most of their time with other Jews. Yet many of them are still looking for a stronger connection to Jewish tradition. Hillel Israel gives them opportunities to build that connection through Jewish pluralism and peoplehood. They participate in exchange programs, help lead immersive trips to meet Jewish students visiting from other countries, and learn about the many different ways people express their Jewish identity and values.

On the other side of the world, Hillels in Latin America (with centers in , , and ) are focused on investing in the growth of Jewish young adults, regardless of how they practice their Judaism. South American Hillels provide professional and personal opportunities such as social action projects, Israel advocacy, business clubs, and entrepreneurship. In Argentina, where Jewish young adults often have very close ties to Israel and Zionism, Hillel offers a chance to connect to other Jews around the world outside of Argentina and Israel.

Hillels in Germany, Poland, and Russia, as well as those in Central Asia and Southeastern Europe, have very different populations. Circumstances like decades of systemic antisemitism, the impacts of World War II, and the dangers to Jewish communities under communist-led governments have led many of today’s Jewish young adults to discover their ties to Judaism as older children or teenagers because their Jewish identities were hidden by previous generations for their own safety. In fact, . For these young people, participating in Hillel may be their first opportunity to experience Jewish life, traditions, and community. 

Even amid destruction and tragedy — three Hillel centers in Ukraine have been destroyed by rocket fire in the current war, and have yet to be fully rebuilt — Hillel is engaging more participants than ever, and providing meaningful opportunities, education, and services to its student-age population and, in some cases, to the elderly and others.

Whether a student lives in Houston or Haifa, Toronto or Tbilisi, Baltimore or Berlin, young Jewish adults around the world are seeking meaningful connection with one another. And with Hillel, they’re building relationships throughout and beyond their communities, cities, and even countries. They’re all part of one diverse, amazing global community — and no matter what Jewish young adults need, Hillel will be there every step of the way.

The post JTA: How the Global Hillel Movement Connects Jewish Communities Across Continents appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

Hillel is Here for You… All Over the World!

Author

Hannah Smuckler

Date

March 19, 2025

On Thursday, March 13, as students in the United States prepared to celebrate Purim with their campus Hillels, Jewish students and alumni across the pond were getting ready for ����vlogl’s first-ever ����vlogl Global Social event, an opportunity for Jewish students studying abroad to connect with each other and the Hillel community in London. As soon as the clock struck 6 p.m., students poured into a bar in Covent Garden, London, to find a Jewish home away from home waiting for them. “It’s nice to feel more connected to the Hillel world while I’m abroad,”  said Alexa Schwartz, third-year student at the University of Kansas. 

Over the course of the night, over 100 students (including 25 students from Northeastern University Hillel – Go Huskies!) studying overseas in London and throughout Europe came together with local Jewish students to celebrate Purim and make new friendships. Josh Hartman, associate vice president for immersive experiences and global operations at ����vlogl, said, “Hillel is a global movement, and events like this show the power of global Jewish peoplehood and the importance of gathering [students] in person.”

This diverse group of people represented 36 different universities and Hillels. It was incredible to watch students thrive and make so many new connections that will enhance the rest of their time abroad. 

“I’m so happy to have had an easily accessible event to meet other Jewish students in London. I go to Hillel all the time at school, and this was a great way to go to a Hillel event while I’m somewhere without a Hillel. I had an awesome time,” said Russell Braver, an Indiana University student. 

Josh Slate, a third-year student at Emory University who is studying abroad in London agreed. “I loved being able to meet the Jewish community in London and integrate myself into ����vlogl. I haven’t found that community as much so far in London, and I’m so happy I got the opportunity to experience this amazing venue,” he said.

By the time the event was over, so many conversations were still going strong, as people built new relationships. Students were planning Shabbat dinners together and some who arrived alone were leaving in new groups of friends to continue the evening of connection. “The London social was…the perfect chance to meet other Jewish students from all over the city. I left with new friends and a real sense of connection to the Jewish community in London. I’m so grateful to Hillel for making it happen,” said Ariana Kaye, first-year student at Northeastern University.

Reflecting on the evening, Director of Student Engagement and Experiences Michael Kagan shared, “The Hillel Global Social in London was a powerful reminder of how Hillel creates community for Jewish students no matter where they are in the world. Talking with students about their experiences studying abroad made it clear just how important it is to foster belonging and connection when they’re far from home.”

Studying abroad and looking to connect with other Jewish students? Let us know how Hillel can help! 

The post Hillel is Here for You… All Over the World! appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

What’s new at Hillel CASE?

Author

����vlogl

Date

September 17, 2024

When we talk about ����vlogl, we really do mean international — and we’re proud to celebrate Hillels all over the world. 

Hillel CASE unites Jewish young adults across the former Soviet Union, with centers all over Eastern Europe. Hillel CASE participants spent this summer connecting, learning, engaging, and building community, even amid the backdrop of war in Ukraine, and we’re excited to share some of the highlights of their recent programming, which has provided much-needed support in a region in turmoil.

Havdalah on the Beach in Dnipro

In Dnipro, Ukraine, a city that has suffered multiple Russian missile attacks in the ongoing war — including one that the Hillel building — Jewish young adults still found ways to come together in community. Gathering on the banks of the Dnieper River on Saturday evenings to bid farewell to Shabbat and welcome in the new week with a waterside Havdalah became a tradition for Hillel Dnipro participants, who met on Saturday evenings to hold Havdalah ceremonies, play games, and enjoy beachside treats, barbeque, and music.

Travel Adventures in Kharkiv

Despite ongoing Russian attacks, Hillel Kharkiv students persevere in their exploration of Jewish history and heritage. Supported by the Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund, Jewish Atlantis is a special program that takes students to visit historical Jewish sites and communities throughout Eastern Europe. This summer, they went to Gadyach, a pilgrimage center where the grave of Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Lyad, also known as the Alter Rebbe, is located. They spent an unforgettable Shabbat at the local Jewish center, and enjoyed tours, classes, day trips, and more.

Volunteer Adventures in Kharkiv

Kharkiv Hillel’s ongoing “Klubok Dobra” project continues to make an impact, as students bring moments of warmth and joy to their city, despite the war. Supported by the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and implemented by Kharkiv Hillel, Kharkiv Volunteer Community, and Hesed Shaare Tikva, this program gives participants the opportunity to combine creativity and service. Recently, volunteers have been crocheting toys for local children — each one a unique work of art created with love. Volunteers also spend time with some four-legged friends at the Little Prince Rehabilitation Center, a local animal shelter. Thank you to all of these participants who arrive with hands and hugs to make the world a bit better each and every day.

A Taste of History in Lviv

 Judaism is often associated with wine, but did you know that there’s a rich Jewish history of beer brewing, too? Embodying the resilience Jewish communities are known for, Lviv Hillel students have continued their “History with Taste” project, attempting moments of normalcy even as Russian strikes target its infrastructure. This summer, Lviv Hillel participants took a tour of the Stargorod Brewery, where they learned about the historical connection between beer and Jewish culture — including mentions of beer in the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) and Talmud — and the Jewish roots of famous beer brands like Lowenbrau and Carlsberg. What a delicious way to explore this unique aspect of Jewish history!

Feeding the Community in Odesa

Feeding the hungry is a Jewish value, and can be one of the most important and impactful ways to show up for community — especially in areas that have been significantly impacted by food shortages and increased need due to the war. As part of their Food Security project, Hillel participants in Odesa distributed Shabbat meals, including homemade challah, to elderly and food insecure members of the community. They also delivered additional food from their partners at the Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund to support residents experiencing hunger and food insecurity. Thank you to all of the volunteers who showed up for this important work!

We’re so amazed by the impact of Hillel CASE programming, and the incredible resilience these students have shown in the face of ongoing violence and disruption to their education and safety. We can’t wait to see the impact they make in the months ahead.

Check out “Hillels Around the World” to learn more about the way Hillels are enriching Jewish life for students and young adults in 16 countries and four continents, all across the globe.

The post What’s new at Hillel CASE? appeared first on ����vlogl.

News

Updates from Hillel CASE (Central Asia Southeastern Europe)

Author

����vlogl

Date

February 23, 2024

Hillel CASE unites Jewish students across the former Soviet Union, with centers in Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, and Lviv, as well as Chisinau, Moldova; Minsk, Belarus; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Baku, Azerbaijan. Check out some of their top programs from the first few months of 2024.

February 2024

Yad VaShem: Zoom In

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, students across Hillel CASE participated in an interactive program with the in Jerusalem. The event centered on the importance of communal memory and bringing major historical events to the forefront. Students broke into groups to watch documentaries about events like Kristallnacht, the Nuremberg Laws, Blood Libels, and the Judenrat, then gave presentations about what they learned to the full community. By engaging with the difficult memories of our past, these students hoped to ensure the message of International Holocaust Remembrance Day remained front and center: Never forget.

Celebrating Tu B’Shvat

Each Hillel CASE city has its own Tu B’Shvat traditions, and this year was no exception. Classes and programs were held across the region, with particular attention paid to the seven fruits of Israel that symbolized the New Year of Trees. Celebrations included making eco-friendly accessories in Kyiv; master classes on botany, Jewish herblore, and unique plant traditions in Odesa, Minsk, and Kharkiv; and tree-planting in Baku.��

One of the most unique Tu B’Shvat events this year was held in Odessa. Joining the talented craftswomen from the Roslynna Lavka studio, students dove into the roots, history, and traditions of Tu B’Shvat by creating magical compositions from small plants, moss, and stones. They learned how to select and care for their chosen plants, and how to grow them in small jars. Once their planted masterpieces had been finished and decorated, students ended the event with a dessert of delicious dates — one of the seven fruits of Israel, and a sweet symbol of the holiday.

Student Support in Kharkiv

Daily stress and anxiety are a constant for many college students. Mental health support programs play a crucial role in helping them online and offline, and Hillel is proud to launch new initiatives that bring mental health professionals to students. Recently, Hillel Kharkiv welcomed a psychologist who will facilitate several classes on understanding and combating anxiety which is especially high among students impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war. Other offerings include art therapy classes, where students apply therapy techniques to thinking broadly and creatively, discussing and celebrating one another’s work.

Opening a New Office with a Celebratory Shabbat

Kharkiv Hillel opened a new office this year, and celebrated by welcoming students for a community challah-baking program for their first Shabbat. Students enjoyed their delicious bread together at a communal dinner — because nothing makes a warm challah better than some good company. The following day, students welcomed in the new week with an informal program featuring presentations by students on entertaining topics like “Capybara Research,” “Things in Hillel That Just Make Sense,” “The Influence of the Gastronomic Avant-garde on Fashion in the Context of Zero Fashion,” and more. We wish we could have been there!

June 2023

For the first time in over a year, Hillel Kharkiv was able to gather for an outdoor program. The Hillel community came together to celebrate Lag Ba’Omer with a bonfire, treats, and games about the traditions and practices of Lag Ba’Omer. Hillel participants and staff alike were excited to celebrate together in nature after so many months of upheaval.��

Over the past year, Hillel CASE has worked to provide mental health resources and support for young adults and their families facing upheaval and trauma from the war in Ukraine. Recently, a cohort of young adults from Hillel Kyiv visited the Or Shalom Center for Trauma Work to participate in a group art therapy exercise. Members of the cohort spoke about how they are hopeful these exercises will help them manage this difficult time in their lives.��

Dnipro Hillel gathered for a picnic to celebrate Shavuot as a community. Despite an unexpected rainstorm, students were excited to make milkshakes, learn about the origins of the holiday, and study Torah together. When the rain ended, the students and staff held a particularly emotional havdalah ceremony and reflected on how their community’s connections helped them overcome the struggles of the past year.��

In honor of World Children’s Day, Hillel Lviv participants created a festival for children in their community. Activities included baking classes, fire dances, and sandal-making workshops. The festival also featured artwork for sale from children all over Ukraine to raise money for programming and support for children impacted by the war.��

February 2023

Stories from Hillel CASE in recognition of the first anniversary of the start in the war in Ukraine:

Warsaw has always been my home. I was born here and grew up in and around the city. It’s central to who I am, and serving the Jewish community here has been a foundational part of my life for many years.

Radek Pintara

Read Radek’s Story Here

Hillel Kharkiv: Hope in the Darkness

One year later, the war in Ukraine continues to impact families, students, and Hillels across the country. Yulia Pototskaya, Director of Hillel Kharkiv, understands this better than most.��

Building New Lives and a Community in Israel

When the world is shifting around you, you’re far from your family, and the news from home is filled with fear and violence, where do you turn? Young adults from Ukraine and Russia who fled to Israel turn to a community that is a source of joy and comfort for them: their Hillel community.

November 2022

: For the first time, the young adults of Hillel Kyiv and Hillel Odessa joined together to celebrate Shabbat in the historic city of Chernivtsi. Touring the city, visiting historical sites, and celebrating Shabbat were all on the itinerary. One surprise event: a marriage proposal, to which the answer was a resounding “yes”!

: At the conclusion of the High Holidays, students from Hillel Kyiv purchased and delivered food and other supplies to those in need in their city, even as air raid sirens sounded around them.��

: Each year, students from Hillel Odessa join the Migdal Community Center to fulfill the commandments of Sukkot, have a delicious meal in the sukkah, and remember the history and traditions of the holiday. A great time was had by all!

: After authorities requested residents of Kyiv to save electricity by turning off their lights, Hillel Kyiv observed Shabbat by candlelight. Participants who could not make it in person were able to join the service online. Shabbat was celebrated to the tune of vinyl records and calm conversations.

: Students from Hillel Kharkiv gathered in a local coffee shop to observe Havdalah and have an evening of painting. This event marked their first time together since February. It was a beautiful chance for those gathered to reconnect after so many months apart.

: Psychologist Tetyana Abramova met with members of Hillel Odesa to discuss addressing anxiety during stressful times. Participants found the session incredibly helpful, and they look forward to meeting with Dr. Abramova again soon.

October 2022

: After many months of rebuilding and healing, Hillel Kharkiv was able to spend Shabbat together in their restored building. It was a powerful experience that inspired students with the sense of how strong and resilient their community is and a true moment of celebration and togetherness.��

(a ten-day journey through the forgotten shtetls of Ukraine): This summer Hillel Kharkiv’s students traveled to Jewish communities in Ukraine and throughout Eastern Europe. While plans had to be changed several times due to the war, students were able to visit important Jewish historical sites such as the Krakow Ghetto Square, the Alt Shul, and Schindler’s factory. Students filmed video essays as part of the trip and are excited to share those with their community this fall.��

: In August, 22 students traveled from Baku to Israel through Taglit. In preparation for the trip, the students spent time together learning about each other and about what to expect from the trip. They were also able to speak with a Taglit alum who shared his experience with traveling to Israel and how it has impacted his Jewish identity.��

: 17 students graduated recently from the Madrich program which trains young Jewish leaders in Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. These students will go on to run programs in summer camps, Hillels, and staff trips with Taglit. They had a !

: From the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Hillel Lviv’s students have been working hard to serve the vulnerable members of their communities in this difficult and unsettled time. Students work with children to make sure they have food and school supplies and spend time with older adults to connect with them and alleviate loneliness.

��*Photo provided by Hillel CASE

The post Updates from Hillel CASE (Central Asia Southeastern Europe) appeared first on ����vlogl.