News

What鈥檚 new 黑料传送门 CASE?

Author

黑料传送门

Date

September 17, 2024

When we talk about 黑料传送门, we really do mean international 鈥� and we鈥檙e 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鈥檙e 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 鈥� including one that the Hillel building 鈥� 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鈥檚 ongoing 鈥淜lubok Dobra鈥� 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 鈥� 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鈥檚 a rich Jewish history of beer brewing, too? Embodying the resilience Jewish communities are known for, Lviv Hillel students have continued their 鈥淗istory with Taste鈥� 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 鈥� including mentions of beer in the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) and Talmud 鈥� 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 鈥� 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鈥檙e 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鈥檛 wait to see the impact they make in the months ahead.

Check out 鈥淗illels Around the World鈥� 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.

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News

Updates from Hillel CASE (Central Asia Southeastern Europe)

Author

黑料传送门

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鈥橲hvat

Each Hillel CASE city has its own Tu B鈥橲hvat 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.聽

One of the most unique Tu B鈥橲hvat 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鈥橲hvat 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 鈥� 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鈥檚 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 鈥� 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 鈥淐apybara Research,鈥� 鈥淭hings in Hillel That Just Make Sense,鈥� “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鈥橭mer with a bonfire, treats, and games about the traditions and practices of Lag Ba鈥橭mer. Hillel participants and staff alike were excited to celebrate together in nature after so many months of upheaval.聽

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.聽

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鈥檚 connections helped them overcome the struggles of the past year.聽

In honor of World Children鈥檚 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.聽

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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.聽

Building New Lives and a Community in Israel

When the world is shifting around you, you鈥檙e 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 鈥測es鈥�!

: 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.聽

: 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.聽

(a ten-day journey through the forgotten shtetls of Ukraine): This summer Hillel Kharkiv鈥檚 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鈥檚 factory. Students filmed video essays as part of the trip and are excited to share those with their community this fall.聽

: 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.聽

: 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鈥檚 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.

聽*Photo provided by Hillel CASE

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Hillels Around the World

International Student Cabinet

Reviving Jewish Life in Poland

Author

Radek Pintara

Date

January 26, 2024

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

Jewish identity in Poland has been hard to preserve. In the aftermath of World War II and Communism, many Jewish families lost their connection to Judaism and the Jewish people. I feel grateful that my family鈥檚 Jewish connection was never lost and that I grew up knowing I was Jewish and participating in Jewish holidays and celebrations. 

As a teenager, I started to notice how small the Warsaw Jewish community was, and at the same time, started learning about the vibrant history of the Polish Jewish community before World War II. Thinking about how much our community has gone through in the last century inspired me to attend synagogue and get involved with Hillel. At Hillel, I gained a new perspective on what it means to be part of a Jewish community. Hillel is a place where everyone can spend time together no matter their background. We are all connected because we are one big family.

I also started volunteering for the Warsaw Jewish Community Center and the local American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) chapter. When the war broke out in Ukraine last year, I was offered the chance to go with the JDC to the Ukrainian border and help people fleeing the war settle in Poland. 

While at the border, I saw hundreds of exhausted, terrified faces. On my first day, I met a family who had fled with two bags, their dogs, and nothing else. I looked at their faces and I couldn鈥檛 understand how they could be experiencing this pain in 21st-century Europe. Here was another war and right before my eyes were Jewish families fleeing war yet again. 

In that moment, one of the women from the family told me that their dog鈥檚 name is Simcha (joy); that small ray of hope reminded me of the resilience and deep eternal joy of the Jewish people.

I returned home from the border determined to find ways to connect my small Jewish community in Warsaw to the global Jewish community. When applications opened for the 黑料传送门 Student Cabinet (HISC), I knew that I wanted to serve on the Cabinet and use that service to bring joy and connection to my community.

The students on the HISC remind me that we are the future leaders of the Jewish community, and it is our responsibility to uplift and inspire other young Jews.”聽

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News

My Journey to Hillels of Poland

Author

Rebecca Weiss

Date

December 22, 2023

Rebecca Weiss, 黑料传送门 Student Cabinet Member and student leader 黑料传送门 Israel, traveled to Poland in November to learn about the growing Jewish community there and to make new connections at Hillel Krakow and Hillel Warsaw. Rebecca was joined by fellow Student Cabinet Member Radek Pintara, who introduced Rebecca to the rich history and hopeful future of Polish Jews. Follow along with Rebecca鈥檚 journey below:

Did you know that sufganiyot, jelly doughnuts that we customarily eat during Hanukkah, have Polish roots? Ponchkas, as they are called in Yiddish, were just one of the things I discovered and, of course, tasted during my trip to Poland this fall.

Day 1:

Sitting on an early morning flight to Krakow, Poland, I didn鈥檛 anticipate that this journey would become one of the most meaningful weekends of my life. I went straight from the airport to meet Radek, who greeted me in Krakow鈥檚 old town where we spent time roaming around what used to be a thriving center of Jewish life. Now, there is little trace of that history and I was struck by the many synagogues that have been turned into cafes. Despite that, the Krakow Jewish Community Center (JCC) and Hillel Krakow have emerged as centers of Jewish life and an anchor for the future for young Jewish Poles.

We walked towards the JCC and Hillel and on our way I spotted an Israeli flag in the distance, which prompted feelings of familiarity and joy, as I am currently studying abroad in Belgium, a difficult place to be Israeli at the moment. As we sat down for lunch 黑料传送门 Krakow, one of their remarkable program directors shared his personal journey of discovering Judaism and shared his insights into Hillel Krakow鈥檚 community. He spoke about how Jews in Poland actively pursue their Jewish identity, but many are unsure of how to live a Jewish life or what that might mean. Hillel Krakow works with Jewish young adults to provide a safe, inclusive, and open space to explore what Jewish life means to them. We came up with an idea for a joint program between Hillel Israel and Hillel Krakow, where we will discuss our similarities and differences as Jewish Israelis and Poles. 

This work is familiar to me from my involvement with Hillel Israel, where we create similar programs for Israelis to connect with their Jewish identity and gain a deeper understanding of Judaism beyond just as a religion, but a culture that binds our people together.  

Day 2:

Friday morning, Radek and I boarded a two-hour train to Warsaw for Shabbat. We went straight to a Mincha service, the Jewish afternoon prayer service, followed by Kabbalat Shabbat , a joyful prayer service that welcomes the beginning of Shabbat.  Following services, and a talk from the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Shabbat dinner took place in the only building that survived the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, where I had the privilege of introducing myself to the community and sharing my story of living in Israel during these challenging times. Every moment of that experience felt uplifting and meaningful. 

What could be better than a Shabbat dinner? Two Shabbat dinners! 

Radek and I made our way to Hillel Warsaw, where we met students, young professionals, and community members. A delicious dinner was accompanied by explanations of Shabbat minhagim, which are traditions and customs passed down through families and communities. Jews from all kinds of backgrounds鈥攆rom those who recently found their Jewish identity to those who had hidden it for most of their lives鈥攂onded together over deep conversation and laughter. 

As a Hillel Israel student leader, I provided insights into the ongoing war with Hamas, encouraged everyone to visit Israel through Birthright, and reminded them that they are part of a global organization offering a home for Jewish students and young professionals worldwide. We are not alone! 

Day 3:

On Shabbat morning, I woke up to the first snowfall of the year.  Radek and I walked through what was once the Warsaw Ghetto and headed to the Museum of Jewish Poles where we spent five hours exploring the museum. While I had learned about the thriving Jewish life in Poland before the Holocaust, including about the Jewish villages known as shtetls, and about the Yiddish language, I hadn’t delved into the details of post-war Jewish life.

Radek and the museum opened my eyes to the journey Warsaw Jews have been on since 1945, from continued oppression and pogroms, to the remarkable revival of Jewish life through organizations like the JCC and Hillel. I grew up thinking about Poland in a way that solely portrayed its dark past.  For me, witnessing Jewish joy and practice in a country marked by a tragic history for Jews underscored our resilience, our ability to persist, and our constant pursuit of community. 

My three-day trip culminated on the 10-year anniversary of the JCC Warsaw鈥檚 founding, where over 300 guests danced to Hebrew music and celebrated an essential component of Judaism: community.

My time in Poland deepened my connection to my Jewish identity and instilled a profound pride in being part of such a vital organization as 黑料传送门. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to draw inspiration from the Jewish community in Poland, as I did, and to explore their Jewish heritage wherever they are in this world. Our Jewish tradition brings so much light during these difficult times.

I will be forever grateful to Radek Pintara, Hillel Poland, and the Jewish Polish communities of Warsaw and Krakow for welcoming me with open arms on this unforgettable journey. 

As Radek said in his own reflection of Rebecca鈥檚 trip, 鈥淔ate has brought me some extraordinary encounters that prove how small and connected the Jewish world is. It was an honor to take Rebecca to places in Poland that have great personal and communal meaning for myself and my friends.鈥�

Thank you for joining Rebecca on her journey! We look forward to sharing more stories of Hillels connecting across the world in the coming months.

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News

Top Four Hillel Hanukkah Happenings

Author

黑料传送门

Date

December 15, 2023

Hillels around the world rejoiced in the festival of light, even at a time when the world has been darker than usual. From Californa to Kyiv to Israel, students celebrated, grieved for those impacted by antisemitism and the Hamas-Israel War, and participated in acts of kindness to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah.

Here are how four Hillels celebrated Hanukkah this year:

1. University of Florida (UF) Hillel:

Hannukkiot for Hostages

On the first night of Hanukkah, fifty-five students lit 138 menorahs, each for one hostage held in captivity in Gaza.聽

Junior Alex Nelson said,聽 鈥淚t was touching to see everyone come together to demand the release of hostages and spread light in a time of darkness.”聽聽

Grad student Hope Lerman agreed. She reflected,聽 “In this dark tragedy our community is facing, there is not a more perfect time for Hanukkah. This event was so special because we have taken our historical story of perseverance and showed the world that we are here to do it again. I am so proud to be a part of lighting their way home!”

Hanukkah Party with Jewish Student Union

Over fifty Hillel students gathered for a celebration originally intended to be an outdoor bonfire, but the persistent Florida rain called for alternate plans. Event organizers quickly pivoted to create a fun, festive Hanukkah party inside complete with candle lighting, board games, dreidels, donut decorating, and other delicious foods. 

“The JSU Hanukkah Party at UF Hillel was amazing!鈥� beamed Aaron Fintz, Vice President of UF鈥檚 Jewish Student Union. 鈥淪tudents from all around the UF campus came together to celebrate Hanukkah. I believe this event was so successful as we celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah during these tough times for the Jewish community. Enjoying a nice study break with a yummy bite was beneficial for all students who attended.”

2. University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Hillel:

Cooking Workshop with Jewish Food Society

Jewish students across Penn鈥檚 campus participated in a fun, hands-on Hanukkah celebration where they prepared and enjoyed three different non-Ashkenazi dishes and learned about the history and impact of Jewish foods from around the world.

3. Hillel Kyiv

鈥淕rand Hanukkah鈥� Performance and Celebration

Despite ongoing sirens, Hillel Kyiv and members of Hillel CASE from all over Ukraine came together to celebrate Hanukkah with a stage-worthy performance that retold the Hanukkah story and included a community-wide candle lighting ceremony. Hillel Kyiv worked tirelessly to ensure Hanukkah came alive for everyone. In these difficult times for Ukraine, Hillel Kyiv continues to be an important asset of the Jewish community life, providing crucial volunteer opportunities and programming. 

Student Vlad Ivchenko voiced his appreciation to Hillel for organizing the Hanukkah celebration. 鈥淭his is literally my first experience on stage.鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am so excited to be a part of Hanukkah together with my Hillel friends. It really makes me feel that there is life and miracles.鈥�

4.

Hanukkah Volunteerism

Students from Israel and across the globe鈥攊ncluding Ukraine, Russia, Greece, Denmark and the United States鈥攙isited a nursing home in Tel Aviv to celebrate Hanukkah together. As part of the multi-generational celebration, students and residents shared stories, ate sufganiyot (Hanukkah doughnuts), and lit Hanukkah candles.

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News

A Tale of Two Purims

Author

黑料传送门

Date

March 10, 2023

Hillels across the world celebrated Purim this week, each with their own unique flair. We wanted to take you inside two Hillel Purim celebrations on opposite sides of the globe that both brought the Purim joy and fun to the party.

Welcome to Purim at Berkeley Hillel!

As told by Lauren Fleischman, Associate Director of Berkeley Hillel

鈥淧urim at Berkeley Hillel this year was bigger than ever! In the days leading up to the holiday, Challah4Hunger, an initiative dedicated to combating food insecurity, brought together students to bake hamantaschen. The student board organized mishloach manot (special gifts of food that are given to friends and neighbors on Purim) packing, and students read from the Book of Esther, which is often referred to as the Megillah and is read on Purim from a handwritten scroll. Over 80 students came in costume to hear their peers read beautifully from the Megillah. After the Megillah was read, students were invited to pack hygiene bags for unhoused individuals, make masks, deliver mishloach manot, and enjoy a sundae bar.聽

鈥淏ut the festivities didn’t stop there. On Purim morning, 50 students joined us as our most popular study and lounge space was transformed into a Seudat Mitzvah, a celebratory meal connected to a holiday or the fulfillment of a mitzvah, or commandment. We served bagels, listened to Purim music, and engaged in special Purim chavruta learning, an ancient Jewish practice of learning Torah with a study partner.

鈥淚t was amazing to see our students come out to celebrate joyfully together. Several students noted that it was their first time celebrating Purim or hearing the full Megillah. Ron, a senior, said, 鈥業t was so fun to hear so many of my peers reading from the Megillah. We booed, we cheered, and we followed along as a community. Dressing up with my friends and seeing everyone’s silly costumes was just so special.鈥欌��

Welcome to Purim 黑料传送门 Krakow:

As told by Klementyna Po藕niak, Director of Hillel Krakow

鈥淭he story of Purim centers around the courage and perseverance of the Jewish people. It celebrates how, despite the wishes of our enemies, our community is still standing strong and growing.聽

鈥淭his year for Purim, we wanted to host a larger-than-life celebration. The original plan was to bring all the members of Hillel Poland together for a virtual Havdalah celebration, which marks  the transition from Shabbat to the new week. However, when we thought about the meaning of Purim and the importance of coming together as a community, we decided to invite Jewish young adults from beyond Hillel Poland. 

鈥淥ver 100 young adults from Hillel Kyiv, Hillel Dnipro, Hillel Lviv, Hillel Odesa, and Hillel Deutschland traveled to Krakow to spend Shabbat and Purim together. 

鈥淭he program started at the JCC in Krakow and offered tours of Kazimiers, Krakow鈥檚 historic Jewish quarter, to all of the guests. There were speakers, games, and time for members to connect and make new friends.

鈥淛an, a Hillel Krakow member who discovered he was Jewish in university and has celebrated his first Shabbat, Chanukah, and now Purim with Hillel Krakow, reflected, 鈥業’m so grateful for the community I have gained here in Hillel Krakow. I always feel welcome and accepted.鈥�

Miriam Synger, a Krakowian Jewish educator, led the beautiful Havdalah ceremony. Shabbat and our weekend together ended with a greater understanding of the strengths and connections of our international Jewish community, which is the best lesson that Purim can teach us.鈥�

We hope you enjoyed a glimpse into the meaningful, joyful Jewish experiences that students and young adults across the world find 黑料传送门. From all of us 黑料传送门, we hope you had a happy Purim!

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News

Hillel Kharkiv: Hope in the Darkness

Author

黑料传送门

Date

February 23, 2023

February 24 marks the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Leading up to that day, we will share stories and experiences from Hillel students and professionals who have been impacted by the war over the last year. Stay tuned for more stories in the coming days. 

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

When the war broke out, Yuliya and her staff jumped into action to make sure their students, young adults, and families connected to Hillel were safe and had access to food, electricity, and shelter. They decided that they would offer the Hillel building as a space where members could stay if they needed a safe, warm place to sleep and eat. 

Yuliya and her team had just started discussing the logistics of that plan on March 2, 2022 when they received the devastating news that . 鈥淭here are two days that stand out to me as the hardest days of my life,鈥� Yuliya remembered, 鈥淭he one that came first is the day th黑料传送门 Kharkiv was bombed.鈥澛�

For the first month after Russia invaded Ukraine, Yuliya was determined to stay with her family and community in Kharkiv for the duration of the war. But with the incessant barrage of missiles being fired by Russian troops just over the nearby border, there were more difficult days to come. Yuliya鈥檚 heart hurt for her children who were in shock from the noise and the violence caused by living under constant attack in Kharkiv. She and her husband, Yuriy, realized that they needed to remove their family from the immediacy of the war, and Yuliya decided to relocate temporarily to France with their children.聽

While Yuliya stays in France (she is adamant about the fact that she still lives in Ukraine), she remains closely connected to her staff on the ground in Kharkiv and the other four cities in Ukraine where Hillel operates.聽

As much of the immediate violence began to abate in Kharkiv in the fall of 2022, students and professionals who are active in Hillel have built up a remarkable network of service and programs for their community. Over 30 Hillel Kharkiv participants have returned to active engagement in the Jewish community despite ongoing bombing in the city. Each week, participants from Hillel Kharkiv gather together for Shabbat, Torah discussions, game nights, and inspirational Havdalah services.聽

Hillel participants also plan programming for children in their neighborhoods that are designed to bring a sense of fun and excitement to children whose lives have been uprooted. They bring meals to older adults and make sure members of their communities have electricity, food, and water. 

As Yuliya reflects on the last year, she says, 鈥淗illel gives us hope against all odds.鈥� The courage of the students and professionals of Hillel Kharkiv gives her hope that she and her family will return to Ukraine, reconnect with their community, and rebuild their lives in the city and country that is their home. 

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News

Building New Lives and a Community in Israel

Author

黑料传送门

Date

February 22, 2023

February 24 marks the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Leading up to that day, we will share stories and experiences from Hillel students and professionals who have been impacted by the war over the last year. Stay tuned for more stories in the coming days. 

When the world is shifting around you, you鈥檙e 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.

Throughout the past year, Hillel staff members who live in Israel have created unique programming for young adults who previously participated in Hillel in Ukraine and Hillel Russia. These displaced students and young adults are looking to connect with each other as they create new homes for themselves in Israel. 鈥淪eeing these young adults come together throughout the year and reconnect with their Hillel community as they establish new lives in Israel is an ongoing inspiration for both myself and my colleagues,” said Josh Hartman, Associate Vice President for Immersive Experiences and Interim Lead of Global Operations at 黑料传送门.

From the High Holidays to Hanukkah, Hillel alumni have gathered to celebrate, study Torah, and uplift each other. 

This unique Hillel family provides support for Ukrainian and Russian young adults fleeing the war and helps them rebuild their lives in Israel. As we mark the first anniversary of the start of the war, these first hand accounts from Russian and Ukrainian Hillel members demonstrate the beauty and importance of connecting with their Jewish community across borders and far from home. 

(Reflections have been lightly edited for language and clarity)

Noa Tumin, Hillel Moscow: For me it was an opportunity to see people I worked, volunteered, and had fun with for years, when we were still in Moscow, living our 鈥渙ld lives鈥�. A chance to share experiences of being in a new country, learning a new language, and starting life from scratch with those who are going through the same hardships. To feel that we are still together, still part of Hillel, no matter what.

Atara Didenko, Hillel Kyiv: As a Jewish professional 黑料传送门 Kyiv, I used to say: “Hillel is an opportunity.” Hillel and its meetings are an opportunity for leadership, to see people you haven’t seen for a long time, and a chance to reconnect with some old acquaintances. “Hillel is a family” is the second thing we like to say.  And family gatherings are always fun, noisy, and very warm. It was just like that at the Hillel Hanukkah event. I hope to see my Hillel family all together again soon.

Alena Vares, Hillel Donetsk: Lighting Hanukkah candles is always a special moment for me. This year I had the pleasure of lighting candles with my warm Hillel family in Jerusalem, just like we used to light together in Hillel Donetsk in Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who helped bring us together.

Ksusha Pelishenko, Hillel Moscow: Hanukkah with Hillel in Jerusalem was a real little winter miracle for me. I saw my beloved friends, felt like I was in a family circle, talked about miracles, and left with a feeling of real celebration and unity.

Reflecting on the past year, Elena Voltsinger, CEO of Hillel Russia, said, 鈥淭hese gatherings are truly miraculous as Hillel brings together students from different campuses, generations, and even countries, supporting each other as a true global family. As we look to the future, 黑料传送门鈥檚 support of Jewish student communities from war-affected areas is a true uniting force and service to the  international Jewish community.鈥�  

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Hillel CASE Gathers in Israel

Author

黑料传送门

Date

June 27, 2022

For 25 years, Hillel in Central Asia and Southeastern Europe (CASE) has played a prominent role in the lives of Jewish students and young adults in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Crimea, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

This February, just three days before the war in Ukraine began, city and country directors from Hillel CASE gathered in Odessa for their bi-annual staff gathering. Despite world-altering challenges since their last meeting, including being displaced by the war, the staff found strength in themselves and reunited again last weekend in Jerusalem to plan strategically for the year ahead and experience the joy of each other鈥檚 presence.

For the upcoming year, staff will focus on providing both in-person and online opportunities for Jewish students and young adults to participate in Hillel CASE programs and activities, regardless of where they are. They will continue to provide mental health and wellness services to students impacted by the war in Ukraine. Since the war began, Hillel CASE has also expanded to support student-led volunteer efforts, including food deliveries for large families, consulting on evacuation and repatriation, and coordinating evacuation buses.

Last Sunday, more than 130 alumni and current students of all Hillel CASE cities and countries convened at the ANU Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv for an incredible evening of reunions and activities. Participants were delighted to attend a program called 鈥淪how Reels鈥� which featured interactive games, video messages from students who cannot currently leave Ukraine, and two Hillel music videos, including an video and a choreographed . Members of Donestk Hillel, a Hillel that closed after the Russian invasion in 2014, were also in attendance.

On Monday morning, 黑料传送门 Board of Governors Chair Matthew Bronfman joined the group to learn directly from Hillel CASE directors. Directors shared how their teams have provided mental health support to students, served the elderly, volunteered during rocket attacks in Odessa, distributed thousands of Passover food packages, transitioned Kharkiv operations to Lviv, and supported the huge flow of refugees 黑料传送门 Moldova.

This gathering was made possible in large part by the global Hillel community that provided more than $1 million to support Jewish students, Hillel staff, and their families affected by the war in Ukraine through the Emergency Relief Fund. 

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AJC Honors Hillels in Ukraine and Indiana for their Resilience and Fight Against Antisemitism

Author

黑料传送门

Date

June 22, 2022

Earlier this month, the American Jewish Committee honored students 黑料传送门s in the Ukraine city of Kharkiv, and at Indiana University, where students marshaled an effort to create campus-wide solidarity in the face of rising acts of antisemitism.

The Hillels received the AJC Sharon Greene Award for Campus Advocacy, which recognizes college-based advocates who fight antisemitism and support Jewish life on campus.

The award is named after the late Sharon Greene, whose family initially established the award to honor outstanding community service by high school students. It now recognizes students who combat antisemitism, fight the BDS movement and promote a positive image of Israel.

The awards were presented on the closing day of the AJC Global Forum in New York by Josh Greene and his sister Alison, two of Sharon Greene’s three children.

鈥淧ublicly identifying as Jewish, and particularly as a Zionist, on college campuses in 2022 is not always easy,鈥� said Josh Greene. 鈥淥ver the past several years, we have witnessed Jewish students being intimidated and ostracized purely because of who they are and what they believe.鈥�

The Hillel at Indiana University was recognized for the launch last fall of the Red Mezuzah Project in response to rising antisemitism on campus. It distributed nearly 1,000 mezuzahs to non-Jewish students and faculty who wanted to show solidarity with the Jewish community. Each one reads, 鈥淚 stand with my Jewish friends.鈥�

The IU Hillel also helped create the university鈥檚 antisemitism task force, which is made up of Jewish and non-Jewish students.

Also receiving an award was the Hillel community in Kharkiv, whose headquarters was destroyed early in the war by Russian bombs. One of its members, Serafim Sabaranskiy, was killed while serving on territorial defense. The five Hillels in Ukraine have been among the groups that have received grants from AJC鈥檚 Stand with Ukraine Fund, which raised over $2.4 million.

鈥淲e should all be inspired by the Hillel chapters in Ukraine for continuing to support Jewish students in a time of war and sacrifice. AJC is proud to stand in solidarity with them,鈥� said AJC CEO David Harris. 鈥淲e are also proud to support IU Hillel. Sometimes, antisemitism on American college campuses can seem like a lonely battle. What IU Hillel was able to accomplish was nothing short of remarkable,鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to AJC for shining a light on what we 黑料传送门 get to see every day. The Jewish future is bright,鈥� said 黑料传送门 President and CEO Adam Lehman.

This article was originally posted by on June 14, 2022.

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