News

Every Day Since: Life on Campus Since October 7

Author

Abi Schcolnik

Date

October 1, 2024

October 7, 2023 will forever be etched in my memory. That morning, I woke up next to my mom, who was visiting for Parents’ Weekend at the University of Miami, and we watched as the shocking and heart-wrenching news from Israel unfolded. That day changed the lives of Israelis and Jewish people around the world, including mine. 

In the months that followed, the feelings I experienced most often were frustration and helplessness. I grappled with the question of how I could contribute meaningfully on campus during a moment that felt so fraught with tension and disagreement. I am proud of my heritage, and felt a responsibility to help combat ignorance and promote understanding about Judaism and the Jewish people, particularly as waves of misinformation and hate directed at Jewish students ripped through my campus. 

I began to talk with my friends, sharing my perspective about the importance of being open to the complexities of the situation unfolding in the Middle East. I said over and over that Israel’s actions were not driven by a desire for war, but instead were a response to the horrific massacre of that October morning. By initiating conversations and creating spaces for dialogue, I hoped to build a climate of empathy and learning in my community, while prioritizing our shared humanity 

Despite this desire to build bridges, I have encountered antisemitism at times, in the form of subtle comments and dismissive conversations. These interactions have left a mark on me, and caused me to question my identity and beliefs. I am still hurting from an exchange I had with a student in my dorm who refused to accept my help, simply because I displayed an Israeli flag and a mezuzah on my door. During some moments, I felt as if the entire world was against me. It’s been exhausting and isolating to be a Jewish college student. 

The tensions of the last year also caused the painful fracturing of some friendships, which ended because of my Jewish identity and the differing beliefs we held. As I became more vocal about the realities facing the Jewish community, I discovered that not everyone was willing to engage in open and meaningful dialogue. In fact, some friends chose to distance themselves, leaving me to navigate this painful year alone.

But as we approach the one-year commemoration of October 7, I’m reflecting on the friends and the community who have stood by my side as I continue to speak up. I have learned to recognize true friendship when I find it, and lean on the relationships and communities that share my values and bring me joy. Throughout a year of anger and loss, the people who have been willing to sit down and talk, celebrate each other’s heritage, and prioritize empathy over ignorance are the ones who I believe will dismantle the barriers that divide us. May the coming year be one of understanding, resilience, and community. 

Abigail Schcolnik is an international student at the University of Miami and serves as the co-chair of Hillel International’s student cabinet.  

Every Day Since is a series of original stories about the impact of October 7 on Jewish students and professionals on campus. Read the first part in the series about Eyal, a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow who came to the United States to connect with Jewish college students, but faced unexpected challenges and antisemitism in the wake of October 7.

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News

Abigail Schcolnik and Zachary Patterson to Co-Chair 2024-2025 Hillel International Student Cabinet

Author

Hillel International

Date

July 1, 2024

Student leaders to help shape Hillel experience for 180,000+ Jewish students worldwide

WASHINGTON – As Jewish students prepare to return to campus following an unprecedented year of antisemitic incidents, Hillel International announced the co-chairs of its Student Cabinet for the 2024-2025 academic year, demonstrating the centrality of student leadership to fostering Jewish joy and identity.

Members of the Hillel International Student Cabinet represent a cross-section of campus experiences, Jewish backgrounds, geography, and academic interests. The Cabinet is committed to representing student needs, connecting campus communities, and providing counsel to the lay and professional leadership of the organization. 

Tasked with leading the Cabinet, the co-chairs will help guide the Hillel movement at a pivotal moment for Jewish life on campus. The Cabinet co-chairs serve as critical spokespeople for Jewish students and their experiences daily in the classroom and the campus quad, and the positive, central impact of Hillel.

Abigail (Abi) Schcolnik of the University of Miami and Zachary Patterson of Duke University have been selected to lead the ninth cohort, serving as key leaders at a moment when Hillel is engaging more Jewish students than ever. As co-chairs of the Student Cabinet, Schcolnik and Patterson will also serve as members of the Hillel International Board of Directors.

“For the last several months, Jewish students have been challenged and expressions of their Judaism have come under threat,” said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International. “The Student Cabinet has a critical role to play in advocating for their peers and engaging them in enriching Jewish experiences. Abi and Zachary bring vital perspectives to the Hillel movement, and I’m eager to work alongside them in the year ahead.”

Abi Schcolnik is a rising senior at the University of Miami and was born in Argentina, and raised in Uruguay. She is the former president of Miami Hillel, where she has been an active member of Hillel since the beginning of her first year. At UM, Abi is involved in the swim team, the DEI committee, and the disciplinary hearing panel. Outside of campus, Abi serves as a Geller International Senior Fellow and as a Lauder Fellow.

“I am excited to continue growing the Hillel movement and ensuring that every Jewish student on college campuses worldwide feels safe and belongs in Hillel,” said Abi Schcolnik, incoming co-chair of the Hillel International Student Cabinet.

Zachary Patterson is a rising junior at Duke University, double majoring in public policy and economics. Originally from San Diego, Zachary formerly served as a member of the San Diego Board of Education from 2019-2022. At Duke Hillel, Zachary previously served as the Vice President of Membership. Zachary is also an active brother in Alpha Epsilon Pi. Zachary leads an organization called the National Student Board Member Association, which works to train, support, and unify students on school boards. Zachary is a recipient of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award for his work on student representation in educational governance. 

“At a time where many Jewish students feel unsafe on campus, Hillel must be at the center of efforts to both encourage robust discussion and stop pervasive antisemitism,” said Zachary Patterson, incoming co-chair of the Hillel International Student Cabinet. “I am excited to help strengthen Hillel’s commitment to inclusive Judaism and Zionism.”
Schcolnik and Patterson will officially begin as co-chairs on July 1, 2024, serving throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.

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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’s 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’s 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’t 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’s 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 Hillel International 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.” 

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Holidays

International Student Cabinet

Jewish Identity

How I Own My Star

Author

Abi Schcolnik

Date

December 13, 2023

My commitment to my Jewish identity was always strong, but took shape when I decided to leave my home in Uruguay to attend university in the United States. If I was going to go so far away from home, my mother strongly urged me to pick a school with a big Jewish community that could support and care for me. I chose the University of Miami (UM) for its rich Jewish life and its large, active Hillel. 

From the day I walked onto campus, I signed up for every Hillel event and program available. Nourishing my Jewish self and letting it grow into a powerful part of my identity felt even more important as I adjusted to being in a different country and culture. I knew I could always find a place in the Jewish community. This comfort and joy also inspired me to take on leadership positions, both at UM Hillel and with the Hillel International Student Cabinet. 

Since October 7th and the start of the Hamas-Israel War, I feel pain and grief daily, both on behalf of our global Jewish community, and more personally, in connection with my cousins and friends who live in Israel and are directly impacted by the war. While the President and administration at UM continue to be actively supportive of Jewish students, I have lost friendships over conversations related to Israel and antisemitism. I have also experienced backlash for my identity and opinions, and have had to hide aspects of my Jewish identity and connection to Israel in order to maintain my own safety. 

In response, I speak up louder for my Judaism and my community. When I see pictures and videos on social media of people sharing their Jewish pride and owning their stars, it reminds me that I’m part of a global family that carries rich values and traditions that inspire my life. #OwnYourStar reminds me that I am a Jewish citizen of the world and that I have a responsibility to share my love of Judaism and the Jewish people with everyone I can. 

With all of the pain and heartache of the past two months, it is a source of joy to light Hanukkah candles every night with my family and watch the small flames brighten the dark night. Those lights bring me hope that the Jewish people will continue to bring light to the world as we go through this moment of darkness. 

#OwnYourStar is a Hillel International call to share visible Jewish pride on social media this Hanukkah. Learn more here!

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News

What it’s like to be a Jewish university student today

Author

Mandi Lichtenstein

Date

October 17, 2023

The recent attacks in Israel have shocked the Jewish community across the nation. At Elon Hillel, we are processing, grieving, and sticking up for our community. As a student leader in the Jewish community, I want to offer comforting and empowering spaces and opportunities for my fellow students, while also dealing with the emotional trauma of losing friends, wondering whether other friends are alive, and watching my people get raped, murdered, and kidnapped. 

We opened the Hillel house to all students, at all hours, as a way for us to come together, share our thoughts and feelings, and attempt to process this tragedy.

We draped an Israeli flag over a table, and placed on it the Prayer for Israel, a memorial candle, and a notebook to write down thoughts and prayers. I am part of countless group chats with hundreds of students sharing resources, positive thoughts when possible, and condemning  hurtful and false information about Israel masquerading as news. 

My Hillel co-president and I worked with co-presidents of Chabad at Elon to create a gathering to show our love for Israel. Without any support from the university, we joined more than 100 students to pray for those in Israel and for the Jewish community. 

I am so inspired and heartened to see vigils and gatherings come together across the nation;  however, I am also horrified watching the counter-protests against Israel, and witnessing other student groups around the country support the terrorist attacks in Israel.  

It has been an exhausting week. We’re continuing to push the university to release a statement of support empathizing with the Jewish community and condemning these attacks; we’re contacting friends in Israel who are stuck in shelters and fighting for their country; and we’re trying to keep up with school work, in the midst of this devastating time. Still, there’s nothing more important to me, and to so many of the Jewish students that I know, than standing united as a Jewish community. Thank you to everyone who is standing with us, each and every day.

Mandi Lichtenstein is a senior at Elon University studying biotechnology and molecular biology as well as Jewish studies. She is an active member of Hillel International’s Student Cabinet, a previous member of the Israel Leadership Network and the cohort of content creators, and a current co-president of Elon University’s Hillel. 

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News

200 Hillel Student Leaders Convene in Cortland, NY: A Note from Adam Lehman

Author

Adam Lehman

Date

August 24, 2023

Dear Friends,

Earlier this month, Hillel International brought together nearly 200 Jewish students from around the world to participate in our inaugural Global Student Assembly (GSA). The four-day convening focused on leadership, community building, and creating innovative Jewish experiences, providing student leaders with the tools to grow and nurture their Jewish communities back on campus. To live up to its name, the Global Student Assembly included 45 student leaders from outside North America, hailing from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Poland, Germany, France, and Israel.

On our first evening together, I shared with the group a “Hillel Talk” focused on my “7 R’s of Hillel and Jewish Leadership”. They are, in brief:

1. Reason: 

What is your purpose and how can it move others? At Hillel, we have the benefit of a clear mission to enrich the lives of Jewish students so they can in turn enrich the Jewish people and the world. Your reason should be something you can clearly articulate for yourself and others.

Tachlis (Hebrew for “practical tip): Take the time to write out your core reason for investing in leadership, and actively remind yourself of that purpose frequently.

2. Responsibility: 

Even if you have something you’re passionate about, are you prepared to take on the responsibility of leading? Countless Jewish leaders all the way back to Abraham and Sarah have answered that question by saying Hineni (here I am). Have you had your Hineni moment? When you do, embrace the chance to answer the call.

Tachlis: Don’t just wait for someone or something to call on you; try to identify an area in your life, work, or community where you can make a difference by actively leading. 

3. Relationships: 

At Hillel, building relationships is at the heart of how we support and inspire Jewish students. In the same way, leadership needs to begin with working to truly understand the needs, challenges, and passions of the people you are trying to serve. Only with that empathy, learning, understanding, and the authentic relationships that follow can you build a meaningful movement.

Tachlis: Dedicate at least 80% of your time and attention to understanding, supporting and empowering those around you, and no more than 20% to what you think of as your own individual contributions. 

4. Relevance: 

At Hillel, Torat Chayim, the idea of a living and dynamic Torah, is central to our work. I often describe Hillel as the innovation lab for the Jewish future. Jewish leaders have the privilege and responsibility “to make the old new and the new holy,” as expressed by Rav Abraham Kook.

Tachlis: Seek to learn broadly. Doing so involves not only listening to and learning from those you’re already serving, but also working to learn about key trends and developments in the wider world in which you’re living and leading.

5. Risk-Taking: 

Leaders don’t simply accept and sustain the status quo — they take risks necessary to repair and create the world as it can be. As Rav Nachman of Breslov famously shared, we cannot fear taking those risks in order to cross the bridges that will lead us into our Jewish future.

Tachlis: Identify an area where you want to pursue change and develop a small experiment to model and test that change; then iterate at least once on the experiment to address what you’ve learned from it. 

6. Reliability (Execution): 

All of the above elements of leadership, while essential, are not sufficient to truly lead. Successful leadership requires executing on your vision. At Hillel, we take the ways in which we deliver and measure the impact of the experiences we enable just as seriously as the exciting and ambitious ideas they represent.

Tachlis: Establish and share with your family, team, organization, or community the specific, time-based goals you’re working to achieve through your leadership. Then track and share out your results in relation to those goals (regardless of how successful you perceive them to be).

7. Resilience: 

Jewish leadership requires resilience — not only in the face of inevitable roadblocks, frustrations, and failures, but also in overcoming the prejudices and biases that are as old as Judaism itself. At Hillel, we’ve demonstrated the resilience necessary to foster Jewish leaders for 100 years, and we are positioning our movement to do so for the next 100 years.

Tachlis: Every day (or at least every week!), take on a task that is outside your comfort zone. Whether an uncomfortable conversation, a hard-to-execute maneuver, or just something you’re not skilled at doing, regularly taking on these “stretch” tasks will build your resilience muscles.  

Even as I appreciated the chance to share these ideas about leadership, I also had the opportunity to hear and learn from many of the incredible student leaders attending the Global Student Assembly. Between spending time with this group and my visits this week to back-to-school Hillel programs at Buffalo Hillel, Rochester Hillel, Ithaca College Hillel, Cornell Hillel, and Syracuse Hillel, I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future of Jewish life on campus and beyond.

As we go through the Hebrew month of Elul, I hope each of you has the chance to reflect on your own leadership at home, at work, in your community, and around the world. Each one of us has an opportunity to support the growth, development, and pathways for the new generation of young Jewish leaders we are privileged to serve at Hillel. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Adam 

Adam Lehman is the President and CEO of Hillel International.

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News

200 Hillel Student Leaders Connect at Hillel International Global Student Assembly

Author

Hillel International

Date

August 15, 2023

Roll call: 

Dylan Hamerman and Rebecca Weiss are on their way home from a weekend of connection, learning, and celebrating with almost 200 fellow student leaders at Hillel International’s Global Student Assembly (GSA). They took some time to reflect on their experience and speak about how they will bring the inspiration from the GSA back to their home communities and campuses. 

After a 12 hour flight from Tel Aviv to Newark, New Jersey, and a four hour bus ride from New York City, Rebecca arrived at the GSA as one of Hillel Israel’s representatives for the weekend. Rebecca grew up in Toronto and attended Jewish day schools. Following graduation, she moved to Israel when she was seventeen years old. Before serving in the Israeli army, she participated in a gap year program and connected with other young adults interested in leadership. 

Those lessons in leadership stayed with her through her army service and into her studies at Ben Gurion University where she became involved with Hillel Israel. Hillel’s commitment to pluralism, serving all kinds of Jewish students, and to a leadership model deeply rooted in relationships and connections inspired Rebecca to get involved with Hillel Israel and Hillel International’s Student Cabinet. 

Fellow Student Cabinet member Dylan crossed a few time zones in his travels from Los Angeles to  New York City, where he traveled the rest of the way by bus.  Dylan was born and raised in Los Angeles and grew up in a large Jewish community. When he started at the University of Washington, Seattle, he was struck by the experience of being the first Jewish person many students had ever met. It inspired him to reconnect with the Jewish practice and identity that had been less present in his life since his Bar Mitzvah. 

From picking up a “Shabbag” from Hillel to celebrate Shabbat in his dorm during the earlier days of COVID, to joining the Hillel International Student Cabinet, every step of Dylan’s Hillel journey is inspired by a desire to connect and grow with other Jewish students. 

Moments to remember:

For Dylan, Shabbat at the GSA was a unique experience that stands out to him from the weekend. “It is always rewarding to celebrate Shabbat, knowing that regardless of background, language, or hometown, Jewish people share this common belief, ritual, and practice. Even more so this weekend, with so many students from so many different backgrounds, it was meaningful to see that each person had a special part of the service that allowed them to immerse themselves in the experience,” Dylan reflected. 

Rebecca remarked that one of the unique experiences at a Hillel gathering like the GSA is encountering students from all over the world. “Being part of a truly global movement gives me the opportunity to learn about different Jewish communities and experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise encountered,” she said. Rebecca also gave one of the Hillel Talks at the GSA, where she shared her personal journey to Hillel and raised important questions with her peers about leadership values and priorities. She was honored by the opportunity to speak to and impact students from all over the world through this talk. Finally, spending Shabbat with such a diverse group of future Jewish leaders gave Rebecca a sense of the strength and beauty of the global community she belongs to through Hillel. 

What’s in my bag going home?

For both Rebecca and Dylan, the biggest idea they’re packing in their bags to take home with them (along with their Hillel swag) is a much deeper understanding of the different experiences that Jewish students face in different countries. 

Rebecca was struck by how much of the Jewish life that she takes for granted in Israel is different for students on North American college campuses and how many aspects of Jewish campus life in the U.S. were new to her. She reflected, “I want Israelis to be aware of how much we take for granted that isn’t so simple on North American campuses. Everything from access to kosher food to dealing with a different kind of antisemitism is important to learn about and discuss.” 

Similarly, Dylan was also impacted by the conversations and insights from students who are involved in Hillels outside of North America. He shared, “The global Hillels have such a huge impact on their communities. I especially admire the Jewish commitment and excitement of students who are living in countries with so many other dominant religions and cultures.” 

As Dylan and Rebecca travel home and continue to integrate their experiences into their respective Hillels, they will be doing so alongside a cohort of student leaders who are excited and passionate about their Hillels, their communities, and their Jewish futures. 

The post 200 Hillel Student Leaders Connect at Hillel International Global Student Assembly appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Finding Your Path on the Bridge of Life: Reflections on Graduation

Author

Jessica Yeroshalmi

Date

May 11, 2023

As I head into the last week of my undergraduate career, I’m reflecting on how much I’ve grown in the past four years, and how many unpredictable life events shaped my college journey. A global pandemic defined three quarters of my time in college, and it taught me to sometimes let life take over from our plans and deadlines and to ride the wave where it takes us. I’m feeling nostalgic about this journey, but also very proud for all I’ve been able to accomplish and how much I’ve learned from this experience. As I head into my next chapter at law school, I am excited to take my skills and experiences with me to continue growing and learning.

Whenever I’m going through a big transition or change, I tend to think a lot about the passing of time — how quickly it goes and how much it affects the people around me. I’ve learned that time is the most valuable gift, and with each passing moment we are using more of this limited resource. 

I often feel conflicted about this: how to use my limited time with the people I love, but also to continue building my future. One of my favorite lessons in Judaism guides me in finding an answer to this dilemma – Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, an 18th and 19th century Hasidic rabbi and the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, has a powerful saying about finding courage when facing an overwhelming world. The Rabbi says, “Kol ha’olam kulo gesher tsar m’od v’haikar lo l’fached klal: The whole world is a narrow bridge, but the essence is to not be afraid.” Rabbi Nachman teaches that we’re often caught between two ends of a very narrow bridge. The Rabbi reminds us not to be afraid, and that ultimately, paralysis caused by fear is what should be avoided. I often find myself in that position, as I yearn for time to hold still to enjoy each moment, but also spend every day working towards my future. I use this wisdom to keep me moving forward and striving for my dreams. 

In my Hillel leadership journey, this idea has guided me when I’ve struggled to make a decision and it has inspired me to keep moving forward in my leadership journey. We may find ourselves stuck in indecision when it’s time to make a change or take action that affects others. Rabbi Nachman’s teachings have given me the confidence to make tough decisions and keep pushing forward to the next challenge so I can grow and help others around me. 

Throughout my term as Co-Chair of the Hillel International Student Cabinet, I’ve worked with other student leaders to impact the cabinet and create lasting changes. Often, this required big decisions, and I was inspired to make those with confidence. 

As I head to law school in the fall, I feel empowered by the incredible experiences I’ve had throughout college and as a Hillel student leader. Hillel has taught me the power of community and how the voice of an individual can create change. I will use these lessons to make the most of my law school experience and my career. 

Rabbi Nachman’s teachings are timeless, and as I continue to navigate the narrow bridge of life, I’ll be looking back at his wisdom constantly. My wish for all my fellow graduates and soon-to-be Hillel alumni is to not be fearful and to boldly take the steps to the other side of the bridge as we continue to build our future and make a difference in the world. 

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News

Samantha Brody and Gali Polichuk to Co-Chair 
2023-2024 Hillel International Student Cabinet

Author

Hillel International

Date

March 30, 2023

Today Hillel International announced the co-chairs of the eighth cohort of its Student Cabinet for the 2023-2024 academic year. Hillel International’s Student Cabinet is composed of up to 22 student leaders from around the world that provide the student perspective to the lay and professional leadership of the organization.

Tasked with leading the Cabinet, the co-chairs will help guide the Hillel movement in the coming year, elevating the student experience and fostering new opportunities for student leadership. Gali Polichuk of the University of Florida and Samantha Brody of Brandeis University have been selected to lead the eighth cohort, serving as key leaders channeling the voices of students on the more than 850 campuses that Hillel serves around the world. As co-chairs of the Student Cabinet, Polichuk and Brody will also serve as members of the Hillel International Board of Directors.

“Hillel student leaders are critical partners in how we create community and compelling Jewish experiences at Hillels around the world,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman. “As exemplary leaders on their campuses and in the Hillel movement, Gali and Samantha know what it takes to inspire their fellow students to action and engagement. I look forward to partnering with them in our shared mission of strengthening the Hillel movement and Jewish future in the process.”

Gali Polichuk is a junior at the University of Florida majoring in Sustainability Studies. Born and raised in Mexico City, Gali is a former Hillel International Social Media Ambassador, and a current member of Hillel’s Israel Leadership Network and Student Cabinet. On campus, Gali has served as a service engagement intern at Hillel of UF and will soon serve as a peer leader for the Fact Finders trip, a program for non-Jewish student leaders to travel to and experience Israel.

“I am extremely excited to take on the role of co-chair of the Hillel International Student Cabinet because as a passionate advocate for student voices, I believe in creating opportunities for all students, no matter their involvement level, age, location, or background,” said Gali Polichuk, incoming co-chair of the Hillel International Student Cabinet. “My goal is to ensure that every Jewish student feels heard and valued within the Hillel community. I’m honored to give back to the Hillel community that has given me so much, and I can’t wait to see the impact we’ll make together.”

Samantha Brody is a junior at Brandeis University studying Near Eastern & Judaic Studies and Education Studies. From the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Samantha was an Israel Education Intern at Hillel International and is currently a member of the Student Cabinet. At Brandeis Hillel, Samantha served as Israel Programs Coordinator and President. The upcoming academic year will be her third on the Student Cabinet.

“Co-chairing the Hillel International Student Cabinet is an incredible opportunity to lead a strong group of passionate student leaders and to empower them to make the positive changes they hope to see in our movement,” said Samantha Brody, incoming co-chair of the Hillel International Student Cabinet. “I look forward to inspiring the next cabinet to take initiative and bring the student voice to the forefront of the Hillel movement, and I can’t wait to learn from the incredible students, staff, and leaders that I will encounter throughout this experience.”

Polichuk and Brody will officially begin as co-chairs on July 1, serving throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.

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News

Advice From Great Jewish Women

Author

Hillel International Student Cabinet

Date

March 20, 2023

Each March, we recognize Women’s History Month, and this year, we asked Hillel International Student Cabinet members who identify as women to share reflections on their college experiences, and advice for younger students who are beginning their college careers. Here’s what they had to say:

“As a first-year student, it’s important to remember that college is a time to learn about yourself, so make time to reflect on your experiences and think about what you want out of the next four years. Remember to be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things, including exploring your Jewish identity and getting involved in Hillel. Embrace the journey of college and be willing to welcome change!”

— Danielle Sobkin

“These next few years will shape your values and the person you become. Choose to surround yourself with people who help you be the best version of yourself.”

— Rebecca Weiss

“If you want to be more confident, if you want to pursue a new hobby, or if you want to explore Judaism in a new way, college is a great time to seek out the resources and the “reset button” to do those things. Give yourself permission to be the person you’ve always wanted to be, and if you need help getting there, Hillel staff make great mentors!”

— Samantha Brody

“During my studies, I found that the best way to figure out what I want to do next is to gain as much experience as possible.  Whether it is working or volunteering, experience indicates your ability to work and your determination and your motivation to go beyond your classes.  Professional experience is just as important as the classes themselves.”

— Linoy Barokas

“College gives you a space and a platform to learn, meet, and explore new people and areas of life. Use the time to get out of your comfort zone and grow. It goes by fast and you should make the most of it!”

— Jessica Yeroshalmi

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