News

Five Fantastic Highlights from Hillel Welcome Week

Author

ĚÇĐÄvlogl

Date

September 9, 2025

Back-to-school season is one of our favorite times of year at ĚÇĐÄvlogl — and part of what makes it amazing is seeing how campus Hillels welcome new and returning students to their Jewish home-away-from-home. 

Hillel welcome programs come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: They make a difference in helping new and returning Jewish students feel instantly connected, supported, and safe on campus. We’re excited to share some highlights from this year’s programming — check it out!

Hillel of San Diego

supports more than 3,000 Jewish students who go to college in San Diego, attending SDSU, UC San Diego, CSU San Marcos, and University of San Diego. This year, approximately , where Hillel of San Diego built community by pairing every student who walked through the doors with a new friend — making sure that everyone had a person to connect with in the crowd.

“I was never really in Jewish settings growing up, and I wanted to see what it was all about in college,” said Brianna, a first-year student, in an interview with San Diego Jewish World. “It feels so nice to be around so many Jews.”

The Welcome Back BBQ included a hot dog eating contest, goody bags with the Hillel Shabbat schedule, and a focus on relationship-building across the Hillel of San Diego community. What a blast!

University of Wisconsin (UW), Madison

FreshFest is an annual tradition at University of Wisconsin Hillel, where first-year student programming has its own unique name: FYSH (First Year Students at Hillel). This active group runs events throughout the year, including first-year Shabbats, ice cream socials, leadership opportunities, and residence hall events — and, of course, their annual Early Access FreshFest Retreat!

This year, UW Hillel welcomed 90 students to Led by their , they enjoyed a food tour in downtown Madison, a tour of Babcock Creamery, a group “challahbration” (homemade challahs for everyone!), and tons of great food, outdoor time, and connection. 

Arizona State University (ASU) Hillel

serves students at Arizona State University’s four campuses — and instead of just one week of welcome programming, they have six! Starting with their annual Welcome Back Brunch in mid-August, focused on helping new students connect to their Hillel community, make new friends, and settle into their new home.

One of the biggest highlights for ASU students is , a fan favorite where students get together in their best Western gear to check out some of the area’s most delicious food truck offerings. “Yum eats, cool drinks, and great vibes!!” ASU Hillel . And looking at the pictures, we couldn’t agree more!

University of Connecticut (UConn) Hillel

Welcome Week at UConn Hillel kicked off with a (we’re sensing a food theme…but then, it wouldn’t be Jewish programming without opportunities to nosh!) offering a delicious kosher dinner, music, games, and, of course, UConn Hillel swag. 

For students who didn’t get a chance to come for dinner, UConn Hillel’s Welcome Back Brunch was the very next day, followed by a week of events including Trivia Night, a bonfire, bingo, challah baking, and a Welcome Back Shabbat. 

“FYSH Fest was a blast!” “Thank you to everyone who made it so special. We loved welcoming our newest Huskies and are excited for an amazing year ahead!”

Hillel at Elon University

The Sklut Hillel Center at Elon University is homey, comfortable, and cozy, but that doesn’t mean this Jewish community doesn’t pull out all the stops to welcome new and returning students to campus.

Starting off with a that offered support, music, food, and fun to students and their families, with their Tuesday Shmoozeday event, where students headed to the Sklut Hillel Center for cool drinks, snacks, and meet-and-greet time with Hillel staff and student leaders. Students who missed this first week don’t need to worry — Tuesday Shmoozeday is a weekly happening at Elon!

The week finished up with a , a meaningful way to close out the week with connection, community, prayer, and (of course) dinner. “The year is just getting started and the energy is already amazing,” Elon Hillel staffers wrote in their community newsletter, The Shmooze. “Welcome back to our returning students and to our first years and families, we’re so glad you’re here!”

We couldn’t have said it any better. Welcome back, Hillel community — here’s to a great new school year!

The post Five Fantastic Highlights from Hillel Welcome Week appeared first on ĚÇĐÄvlogl.

News

Top Ten Reasons to Love Hillel

Author

ĚÇĐÄvlogl

Date

September 9, 2025

A third-year student at Central Michigan University (and author of “Welcome to Hillel: Find Your Unique Path”), Ryley Steuer feels a deep connection to Hillel, which has shaped her college journey in countless ways. Through Hillel, she has found community and opportunities to help her grow personally and as a leader, including trips all over the country to meet other Jewish student leaders. Here are the top ten reasons Ryley loves Hillel: 

1. Hillel is the perfect way to meet other Jewish students. 
2. Hillel provides you with amazing travel opportunities for conferences and immersive experiences where you can expand your community and understanding of your Jewish identity. 
3. Hillel is a great place to relax, hang out, and leave behind the stress of school, work, and anything else that may be weighing on you.
4. Hillel has amazing Shabbat dinners that let you finish the week surrounded by community.
5. Hillel provides incredible leadership opportunities, not just on the campus level but also on a national and international level.
6. Hillel understands that students are busy and offers a wide variety of events so students can attend at their leisure and can stay for as long as they’d like.
7. Hillel offers students the chance to network with classmates, student leaders, and professionals, and build those connections over time.
8. Hillel programs, like retreats, allow students to spend time in a new environment for a weekend, and engage with friends in community.
9. Hillel is always there to provide students with whatever support they need.
10. Hillel hosts a wide variety of events, including Shabbat dinners, excursions to arcades, ice rinks, and escape rooms, and even puppy parties, so there’s always something for everyone!

Looking for your home away from home? We can help you find your community at Hillel. Is it your first year on campus and you’re not sure where to start? Check out across the country. 

The post Top Ten Reasons to Love Hillel appeared first on ĚÇĐÄvlogl.

Hillel Stories

Welcome to Hillel

Welcome to Hillel: Finding My Place at College

Author

Katie Comrov

Date

September 4, 2025

“Welcome to Hillel” is a series of letters from current students welcoming first-year students to Hillel communities. Katie Comrov, a third-year student at the University of Illinois studying advertising and business, shares the way that her early days on campus were deeply impacted by her introduction to Hillel. Read Katie’s welcome:

When I think back to the first few days of my college experience at the University of Illinois, I remember feeling a mix of excitement and fear. I was stepping onto campus with so many unknowns swirling in my mind: Would I make friends? Would I feel at home here? Would I find people who understood me, my background, and the values I grew up with? The truth is, starting college can feel overwhelming. You’re suddenly surrounded by thousands of people, all trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. For me, Hillel was the community that gave me an anchor to navigate those unknowns.

Walking into my first Hillel event felt like a breath of fresh air. I didn’t know many people then, but what I found there was warmth, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging I hadn’t realized I was missing until that moment. Everyone was so open, welcoming, and genuinely happy to see new faces. It didn’t matter if you came alone or with a group of friends; people made room for you, both at the table and in the conversation. That small act of hospitality meant the world to me as a nervous first-year student.

I also remember attending my first Shabbat dinner. It was loud, joyful, and full of energy, with students laughing, sharing stories, and passing challah around the table. I instantly felt connected to something bigger than myself. It wasn’t only about the ritual or the meal; it was about being part of a community that celebrated tradition while also creating new memories together. For the first time since arriving on campus, I felt truly at home.

Getting involved with Hillel changed my entire college experience. It gave me friends who have become like family, mentors who have guided me, and opportunities I never imagined when I first walked in the door. Through Hillel, I found leadership roles that pushed me out of my comfort zone, programs that helped me grow spiritually and personally, and countless moments of joy that reminded me why community matters.

For any first-year student reading this: I know how easy it is to get caught up in the whirlwind of college life: classes, clubs, and the pressure to figure everything out. But I want to encourage you to make space for Hillel. Even if you just stop by for a Shabbat dinner, a coffee, or a holiday celebration, you’ll discover a network of people who will support you through the ups and downs of your college journey.

Looking back, I can’t imagine college without Hillel. It has given me a sense of grounding and belonging during a time when everything else felt new and uncertain. My advice to you is simple: give yourself the chance to step into this community. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just come with an open mind, and you’ll find people ready to welcome you.

If you’re searching for a place where Jewish life thrives, where tradition meets friendship, and where you can grow into the best version of yourself, Hillel is waiting for you.

The post Welcome to Hillel: Finding My Place at College appeared first on ĚÇĐÄvlogl.

Hillel Community

Hillel Stories

Welcome to Hillel

Welcome to Hillel: Finding Community Through Discussion and Laughter

Author

Sarie Goodweather

Date

September 3, 2025

“Welcome to Hillel” is a series of letters from current students welcoming first-year students to Hillel communities. Sarie Goodweather, a second-year student at the University of Texas at Austin studying sociology and Jewish studies, shares a foundational moment from Texas Hillel that changed her college journey. Read Sarie’s welcome:

Going away to college can be daunting, as you leave behind the familiarity of home. I remember worrying I wouldn’t find a place that feels like home and would never fully adjust to living somewhere new. That is, I felt that way until I started going to Texas Hillel. 

I missed out on a few Shabbats with Hillel early in my college career, out of fear that I wouldn’t be welcomed. I regret that decision now, because, in fact, nothing could’ve been further from the truth. The first time I mustered up the nerve to step into Hillel was in early September. I didn’t know anyone and was concerned that I would feel out of place. Nevertheless, as someone who grew up surrounded by a large Jewish community, I was excited to get involved with Hillel, despite feeling overwhelmed. 

Within a few seconds of walking in the building, I was greeted by staff members and immediately felt a sense of peace. I had made my first friends at Hillel! As we played Jewish geography, I quickly realized I had found my community and began feeling calmer about being away from home. I made some more friends that night and left knowing exactly where I would spend all of my free time in college.

One opportunity that stands out as a cornerstone of my freshman year is participating in a Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF) cohort. During the second semester of my first year I signed up for JLF with a friend I had met at Hillel the previous semester. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew that the classes were being led by two Hillel staff members who had such a positive impact on my first semester that I signed up.

The first night was off to a great start as I made new friends at dinner (which was free, of course!) and we bonded over our desire to meet new people and our love for Hillel programs. After dinner, we broke off into our cohorts to begin discussions. We started off with a unique icebreaker: “What is something that you just don’t understand how it works?” Within the first few minutes, we were already all cracking up. 

Over the course of the fellowship, we often heard people in the class next door comment that we always sounded like we were having the time of our lives. They were right! Over the next seven weeks, Wednesday nights became my favorite time of the week, because JLF provided me with a space to connect with my new friends, de-stress, learn some Torah, and most of all, feel at home. We studied topics such as Shabbat and friendships, with the lessons always rooted in Torah but applicable to our lives as college freshmen. 

My JLF friends turned into the people I sit with in class, lean on for advice, and even travel to Israel with. My first year would not have been what it was without Hillel programs like JLF. My advice to a first-year college student is to remember that you are in charge of your own happiness, and it’s important to find a community where you feel uplifted and appreciated. For me, this was Texas Hillel. What started out as a place to spend my Friday nights quickly grew into the backbone of my first year. My friends and I all felt so grateful that we always had a place to go to hang out, get a snack, learn, connect, and just be together. 

The truth is, my best memories from my first year all took place at Hillel. My biggest smiles, warmest hugs, and deepest friendships are all results of stepping out of my comfort zone and showing up, even when it wasn’t easy. 

Having a space where I can show up as myself and be fully supported and celebrated has been the greatest gift of my college experience, and it’s all because of Hillel. As I begin my second year, I look forward to seeing how the incoming students get involved with Hillel and can’t wait to watch Hillel transform their lives as it did for me.

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Hillel Stories

Welcome to Hillel

Welcome to Hillel: Find Your Unique Path

Author

Ryley Steuer

Date

September 2, 2025

“Welcome to Hillel” is a series of letters from current students welcoming first-year students to Hillel communities. Ryley Steuer, a third-year student at Central Michigan University (CMU), studying exercise science kinesiology and psychology, shares highlights of her experience at CMU Hillel and offers different ways first-year students can connect with their Hillel communities. Read Ryley’s welcome:

The week before moving into college at Central Michigan University felt terrifying to me. I was moving away from everything I knew, and leaving the vibrant Jewish community I grew up in. The college I chose had a small Jewish community, which was an unfamiliar experience for me. Thankfully, even before I set foot on campus, I knew to look for Hillel. 

Everything I’d heard affirmed my belief that Hillel would help me step out of the community I was raised in and grow into a new one. And as I grew my connection to Hillel over time, I found that it was even better than what I had expected. Hillel is a community that becomes family and a space that becomes a home away from home. At Hillel, I found delicious dinners, fun activities where I made new friends, and immersive travel opportunities. And the best part is that there’s something at Hillel for everyone. Wondering where to start? Here are some of my favorite Hillel classics that I love on my campus, and that I know you’ll want to check out on yours: 

Shabbat Dinners

Most Fridays, Hillels host Shabbat dinner. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy week and connect with friends! It’s often free for students, and if your campus isn’t hosting one, you can often join a nearby Hillel’s Shabbat celebration instead! One of the places we went to for Shabbat was a hibachi restaurant in town. It was so fun to relax with my friends and laugh as none of us could catch the broccoli in our mouths. It truly is such a good experience being able to have a fun meal with all my friends at Hillel!

Social Activities

College can feel stressful — with a heavy classload, new friends, and everything in between. Hillels plan regular events to help students relax and recharge. From arcades and escape rooms to puppy parties, ice skating, and bowling — there’s always something fun going on. Bring a friend or go and meet new friends there! One of my favorite memories is of an event at the arcade, where a bunch of us lined up to compete in pinball. I don’t remember who won because we all were bad, but I remember the endless laughter, and going home with my cheeks sore from smiling the whole time.

Travel

One of the most exciting parts of being involved in Hillel is the chance to travel. I’ve had amazing opportunities to visit cities like Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. to deepen my Jewish learning. One of the conferences I attended in New York was the ĚÇĐÄvlogl Content Creators Forum. Here I learned everything from planning content to the final stages of exporting it. I had the honor of learning from influencer Max Cohen (@murrayhillboy), listening to Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, and even attending programming with content creator Melinda Strauss! It was also so special being able to collaborate with peers on content ideas. Even beyond the event itself, it’s so meaningful to know I can still reach out to both the speakers and my peers for guidance or to bounce an idea off of them. 

Leadership

Lastly, Hillels deeply value student leadership both on a campus level and national level.  I have found so many leadership and growth opportunities through campus fellowships and national conferences. There is so much room to grow and lead in your own unique way.  

Your Hillel journey will be unique to you, your interests, and your campus. I can say wholeheartedly that Hillel has made my college experience so meaningful and helped me grow so much with its supportive staff and welcoming environment. 

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