News

Hillel鈥檚 Leadership Passport Brings Student Leaders Into Conversation 糖心vlog Jewish Security

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

May 20, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Hillel鈥檚 Leadership Passport Brings Student Leaders Into Conversation 糖心vlog Jewish Security appeared first on 糖心vlogl.

News

Hillel鈥檚 Student Leadership Passport Brings Student Wisdom to 鈥淣ever is Now鈥�

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

March 18, 2026

This week, more than four thousand attendees gathered in New York City for 鈥淣ever is Now,鈥�  annual summit on antisemitism and hate. Among those attending were over 60 Jewish students from around the world representing their Hillels as part of 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Leadership Passport, a new initiative designed to introduce student leaders to high-impact national gatherings. 

鈥淲e care so much about our partnership with ADL. We are there, day in and day out on campus, and that puts us in a position to work with administrators and others to ensure that every Jewish student has access to a safe and welcoming campus environment. They deserve that,鈥� said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of 糖心vlogl, in remarks at the summit. 鈥淲e are using this current period of challenge to catalyze the largest-ever new generation of Jewish leaders in history.鈥�

This year, 鈥淣ever Is Now鈥� drew a cross-section of scholars, influencers, civic leaders, and policymakers who are deeply engaged in confronting antisemitism 鈥� an issue that directly affects Jewish college students today. The conference represented a meaningful opportunity for student leaders to engage directly with lay leaders and to attend programming designed specifically for them.

鈥溾�楴ever Is Now鈥� is the largest gathering on antisemitism in the United States, and we are so privileged to have student leaders representing over 30 universities joining us through 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Passport Program,鈥� said Jonathan Greenblatt, 础顿尝鈥檚 CEO. 鈥淎t a time when antisemitism is already at record levels and has been a serious and ongoing concern on campuses across the country, we are equipping students with the essential knowledge and skills they鈥檒l need to respond when they encounter hate on campuses and in their lives.鈥�

In addition to gatherings geared toward Leadership Passport participants, including a meet and greet with Jonathan Greenblatt and Adam Lehman and a private breakfast with two creators and advocates, Tessa Veksler and Max Cohen, students were also able to attend breakout and plenary sessions throughout the two-day event. 鈥淣ever is Now鈥� offered a Student Leadership Track, as well as tracks that focused on safety and security; media, technology and the arts; advocacy; education; and litigation. 

鈥淭he best part of being involved with the Leadership Passport is getting to connect with other student leaders from Hillels around the world,鈥� shared Ginger Uhlfelder, a third-year student at Temple University who serves as student board secretary at Temple University Hillel. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really inspiring to see how dedicated they are not just to fighting against antisemitism, but fighting for Jewish joy. I hope to return to campus with new tools to share with my peers鈥�  so that they can feel empowered to embrace and celebrate their Jewish identities.鈥�

More than 100 speakers, including bestselling author Emmanuel Acho; founder of the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; and Bob and Nancy Milgrim, the parents of slain Israeli Embassy staffer Sarah Milgrim, brought their wisdom, experience, and perspective to the conference, including actors, activists, educators, journalists, legislators, and clergy members. Panels and workshops included 鈥�,鈥� 鈥�,鈥� and 鈥�,鈥� among more than 25 breakout sessions and three main-stage plenaries.

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 in America and the world,鈥� said Mateen Markzar, a fourth-year student at Brown University and a member of the 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet. Markzar also spoke as one of the panelists on the Student Leadership Passport Panel Conversation, where he shared his experiences as a Hillel student leader in this moment. 鈥淚 hope that many more students get the opportunity to access these conferences and events,鈥� he added.

Leora Feinsmith, a fourth-year student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, another panelist, and 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Israel Leadership Network Student Trustee for the California State University system, shared a similar perspective. 鈥淎s a student leader in the Hillel movement, I am inspired by the memories and connections made, joy created, and connection to our Judaism,鈥� she said. 鈥淚’m grateful for the opportunity with Hillel Leadership Passport to go to the ADL conference to learn and bring information and resources back to my university.鈥�

After they return home, these students will have the opportunity to share new skills and insights with their peers. Following 鈥淣ever is Now,鈥� Student Leadership Passport participants are eligible for up to $750 in microgrants to lead programming that brings their learning back to campus. 

The post Hillel鈥檚 Student Leadership Passport Brings Student Wisdom to 鈥淣ever is Now鈥� appeared first on 糖心vlogl.