Dear fellow members of Harvard's Jewish community,

It's been a wonderful Hillel Global Giving Week so far. To those of you who have already contributed, we can't thank you enough for your support. To everyone else, remember— thanks to Hillel International and our amazing community of parents, any gift you make to Harvard Hillel through Friday night will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to the first $25,000.

So far this week we've shared stories about Shabbat dinners, Passover Seders, and engagement with Israel through travel and music. But what makes Harvard Hillel extraordinary isn't just our programming — it's our students who lead, create, and shape their Jewish experiences. Today, we're excited to introduce you to these remarkable student leaders in their own words.

Student voice and empowerment stand at the core of Harvard Hillel's mission.

"As the semester draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on my first term as Hillel President: I've organized events, honed my leadership skills, and, most importantly, built meaningful relationships that have deeply shaped my Harvard experience.

Hillel's commitment to student leadership has empowered me not only to envision the community I want to be part of but also to actively create it. Through this role, I have learned to lead with curiosity, resilience, and a sense of responsibility: skills that have prepared me to navigate challenges both within Hillel and beyond."

— Amelia Mae Heller '27, Student Board President

The impact of student leadership at Harvard Hillel extends far beyond campus. For many, these experiences shape life-long commitments to Jewish community building.

"I call upon the skills I built at Harvard Hillel nearly everyday as a rabbi-in-training. Because Harvard Hillel empowered me to help build an openhearted Jewish community where all Jewish students could feel welcome and excited to participate, I came to see myself as a shaper--and not just a recipient--of our beautiful Jewish tradition. My student leadership at Harvard Hillel contributed to my decision to become a rabbi, and those undergraduate experiences continue to shape my rabbinical work today."

— Rebecca Thau '20, past Student Board President and current rabbi-in-training

"I am so grateful for my experience being a part of Hillel Board this semester. It has allowed me to be at the forefront of challenges facing Jewish students on campus and I feel empowered to be a better advocate for myself and my peers. I am so thankful for the community I've found within Harvard Hillel. By being on the board I feel that I can give back to the community and help strengthen it even further."

— Gavriela Kalish Schur '28, Communications Chair

In challenging times, student leadership takes on even greater significance.

"Serving as Hillel President during the 2023 calendar year was simultaneously one of the most challenging — yet also must rewarding — experiences during my time at Harvard. Uniting students of different political orientations and from a variety of different schools to present a unified front during a moment of intense national scrutiny was quite difficult. Yet speaking with so many different people and listening to various stakeholders' concerns was a tremendously educational experience."

— Jacob Miller '25, past Student Board President

"Being a student leader at Hillel has given me real-world experience in dealing with some of the toughest problems that Jews face in today's world. And, at the same time, it allowed me to have an integral role in creating vibrant and exciting Jewish life on campus. That dichotomy proved to be a transformational experience for me."

— Danny Denenberg '26, last year's Israel Chair

But it's not all about somber responsibility...

"Here are some of the things that being on the Harvard Hillel student board has enabled me to do: run a weekly Jewish-Christian Bible study, a semesterly Mormon Mixer, and an annual Latke-Hamentasch Debate; have an excuse to connect over coffee with campus Jews of all stripes; make my voice heard on important issues related to Jews on campus; have resources to back up copious amounts of shtick and ridiculous last-minute ideas to make people laugh; and pitch ideas for classes and events to Hillel staff. Also, I got sweatpants that say 'Jewcy' across the butt! Those pants are the primary motivator of my student leadership."

— Yona Sperling-Milner '27, Education Chair

During Hillel Global Giving Week, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to the first $25,000. This means your gift can create twice the impact - more student leadership opportunities, more mentorship, more programs developed by students for students, and yes, more questionable sweatpants.

From organizing community events to advocating for Jewish students on campus, your support empowers the next generation of Jewish leaders who are finding their voice at Harvard today.

We empower students to build Jewish community on campus and beyond.

Will you join us?

"One of my favorite moments each week is sitting by the door at Bagel Brunch and personally greeting everyone as they arrive. Welcoming the familiar faces for lox and schmear, I feel a deep sense of pride that, after about 10 Bagel Brunches, I now truly know the individuals who make up our vibrant Jewish community."

— Amelia Mae Heller '27, Student Board President

As an independent 501(c)(3), Harvard Hillel does not receive any financial support from the University. We rely on the generosity of our alumni, parents, and community to support Jewish life at Harvard.