This week, we marked Israel’s 77th Independence Day with Israel Week, celebrating the vibrant culture, community, and spirit of Israel.
We are especially proud of our student leaders, who organized and led with enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication. Thanks to their efforts, hundreds of students experienced a week of meaningful, joyful, and well-run programming.
Today’s Israel Fest was a highlight: a street fair focused on resiliency, culture, and peace-building. Students sampled Israeli food, listened to music, created art, and relaxed with friends under the sun. They lit candles in memory of people who have been displaced, taken hostage, or killed in the current war, and added their responses to a display board answering the prompt, “What gives you hope for peace-building efforts?” It was a moving and spirited event, rooted in both solidarity and aspiration.
While we were in close communication with university leadership and campus Public Safety well in advance, we were disappointed that a small group of masked protestors attempted to disrupt today’s Israel Fest celebration. They displayed a sign reading “Murder Fest” and sought in various ways to interfere with the event. We are grateful to the university administration for responding and relocating the protestors, allowing our students to celebrate Israel and their Jewish identities safely and as planned.
Unfortunately, a banner in the Shapiro Campus Center belonging to one of our Israel groups was also vandalized overnight. It has already been replaced.
We are in contact with university staff and administrators as they investigate and work to strengthen protocols that ensure student safety and prevent future disruptions.
Hillel remains unwavering in our commitment to providing a vibrant, welcoming space for Jewish life on campus—including opportunities to celebrate and connect with Israel. We will not be intimidated or deterred.
At this time of year—both in the Jewish calendar, when we count the days from Pesach to Shavuot, and in the academic calendar, when students face the pressures of final exams—we are reminded of a core spiritual principle: derekh eretz kadmah laTorah—basic decency and respect for others precedes everything else. I want to express gratitude to the many students who are modeling resilience, calm, and derekh eretz, even in moments of challenge. That is no small thing. Thank you.
Our doors remain open, and we will continue to be a home for Jewish joy, resilience, and community. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or anyone on the Hillel team if you have questions or need support.
