News

Take Care of Yourself: Emotional Preparation For October 7

Author

Hagar Ben-Eliezer

Date

October 1, 2024

Managing stress in the context of trauma, especially around significant anniversaries like marking one year since Hamas’s attack on Israel, can be particularly challenging. The emotional weight of such occasions can amplify stress, anxiety, fear, and flashbacks to anti-Israel protests on campus. For many Jewish students, October 7 will be filled with sadness, and for some, it may be too painful to remember. 

Wherever you are emotionally is okay. There is no one right way to feel. Here are some suggestions for managing and caring for your mental health as we approach October 7.

1. Your feelings are normal and okay

It’s normal to experience a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, or anxiety around significant anniversaries. Suppressing these feelings or trying to “push through” without addressing them can lead to increased stress and burnout. Give yourself permission to feel and express your emotions in a healthy way. Consider talking to a trusted friend, writing in a journal, or engaging in safe community activities at Hillel or elsewhere on campus that offer space to express your emotions.

2. Rely on your support system, and identify safe places

A reliable support system is crucial in managing stress. Keep a mental or written “In Case of Emergency” list of people and places you know are safe and support your emotional well-being. It’s important to spend time with people and in places that calm your nervous system, not rile it up. Reach out to campus counseling services or call 911 if you are in crisis. This is a form of self-care that makes you an advocate for your own mental health.

3. Lower your stress levels

Using stress-reduction techniques can help mitigate the impact of stress, sleeplessness, or depression. Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation can lower stress levels and promote emotional balance. Apps like InsightTimer give you access to over 20,000 free guided mindfulness practices. Regular physical movement, such as yoga or jogging, is another effective way to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. YogawithAdriene is a free online program, offering classes to those at all levels. Other activities might include taking a walk in a nearby park, and getting the added well-being benefits that come with being in nature. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and can help you manage both physical and emotional stress.

4. Embrace your routine and set boundaries

Maintaining a structured routine can provide a sense of normalcy and control, which is often disrupted during periods of stress. Create a balanced schedule that includes time for studying, self-care, and social activities. Setting boundaries is equally important; it’s okay to say no to additional responsibilities or social commitments if you need time to focus on your well-being. Prioritize tasks and break them into manageable chunks to prevent feeling overwhelmed. Effective time management can help reduce stress and increase productivity.

5. Take care of you: self-care and healthy habits

Self-care is essential for managing stress and supporting mental health. Engaging in activities that you enjoy and that bring you relaxation — such as reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature — can also provide relief from stress. Healthy habits including getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and making time for friends are all effective mood lifters. What is one thing you did today, or could you do, to refill your emotional cup? Make your self-care a regular part of your routine everyday.

6. You are your best advocate

Don’t wait until you are in crisis to get help. If you are having trouble attending classes, you’re not returning your friend’s texts, or you’re avoiding leaving your apartment or dorm room, it’s time to take action. Reach out to your Hillel wellness professional or counselor on campus. Communicate with your professors and advocate for extensions on assignments. Be honest and open with your family if you can. Everyone experiences times that are challenging and emotionally difficult, but if you take action, you can preserve the work you have done and get supported on your journey back to wellness. 

7. Be patient with yourself

Finally, be patient and compassionate with yourself. Managing difficult emotions and experiences is a process that takes time. It’s okay to have good days and bad days, and progress may come in small, incremental steps. Know that your Hillel community is here for you in whatever way you need. Breathe, be kind to yourself, and acknowledge that this is a temporary challenging period. Remember the sadness, loss, and continued pain of October 7 while finding strength in your resilience and comfort in the communities that embrace you.

Hagar Ben-Eliezer is a board certified Jewish Chaplain and therapist. She is in her fourth year as the wellness therapist at Berkeley Hillel. Hagar works with Hillel students on campus and internationally on Hillel Birthright trips. Hagar enjoys working with young adults and providing resources for their spiritual and emotional well-being. 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

The post Take Care of Yourself: Emotional Preparation For October 7 appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Across College Hillels, Mental Health and Wellness Professionals are Making a Difference

Author

Hillel International

Date

May 30, 2024

As antisemitism skyrocketed on campus this past academic year, campus professionals heard loud and clear that their students needed more support than ever in making sure that they have access to resources for their mental health and wellness. In fact, in the months since October 7, Jewish students have reported increased levels of fear and anxiety at school – with our most recent survey results showing 40% have felt the need to hide their Jewish identity from others on campus, and 61% saying there has been antisemitic, threatening or derogatory language toward Jewish people during protests at their school. 

While the 2023-2024 school year was unique in the sudden escalation of these issues, particularly for Jewish students on campus, mental health needs among college students have been increasing steadily over the past several years, exacerbated by the pandemic and a resulting loss of social and community connections. According to a 2022-2023 Healthy Minds Survey, 57% of college students identified needing help for emotional or mental health challenges in the previous 12 months, while 61% of college students reported feeling isolated from others. That was prior to October 7 — and for Jewish students on campus, the need for connection and support has only grown.

Hillel International and campus professionals  have responded to this challenge, integrating mental health and wellness initiatives into Hillel programming and Jewish life, as well as referring students to campus and community resources. Thanks to generous support from the Zalik Foundation, Hillel International has expanded its efforts by offering  mental health and wellness talent grants. These multi-year grants are increasing access to support through the addition of a clinical mental health or wellness promotion professional to an existing Hillel team. Launched in January 2023, many campus Hillels were able to put these roles into place prior to October 7, which meant professionals were well-positioned to provide support to students and staff as they navigated immense challenges this year.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, Hillel International caught up with two Hillel wellness professionals to hear about how they’re supporting their students.

Michelle Dembo, Hillel Therapist (University of Pennsylvania)

Michelle describes her journey to her current position as a therapist at Penn Hillel as “nonlinear.” Studying creative writing as an undergraduate, she started her post-college career working in public relations and marketing, then got a master’s degree in education and spent two years working as a high school English teacher. After a few years abroad, she decided to pursue a graduate degree in social work, and realized she finally found the perfect fit. 

“Finding this job at Penn was almost too good to be true,” she said. “I get to support young people and help them through their own journey and personal growth. I love it.”

As a therapist embedded within Hillel, Michelle spends most of her time with individual clients, all of whom are Penn students. She also develops wellness programs for Hillel staff, and part of her job involves meeting with them to provide informal support. 

“It’s really cool to work within my own community,” she said. “There’s something very comforting and familiar about working with other Jewish people.”

During this challenging year, Michelle underscored the importance of having a clinician at Hillel to reach students in need. “For a lot of my clients, they’ve expressed that they wouldn’t go to therapy if I wasn’t here at Hillel,” she said. 

At the same time, she said, it’s important that therapists working with Jewish college students not assume that everything comes back to Jewish identity. 

“The truth is that not all of my clients are talking about antisemitism or Israel — they just want to talk about their own relationships, or their own trauma,” she said. “Especially when you work within your own community, it’s crucial to check your own assumptions and remain curious!”

For Michelle, the ability to provide a  safe space for students is the most valuable part of her job. 

“This age is so exciting and vulnerable because there’s so much transition and change happening,” she said. “I feel excited to work with them and watch them grow. I’m honored to be their person.”

Em Riveles, Senior Director of Wellness and Innovation (Queens College)

Em serves as the Senior Director of Wellness and Innovation for Queens Hillel, where she works with college students to promote their overall well-being through meaningful Jewish experiences, access to support resources, and even career opportunities. Rather than working with students in a traditional therapeutic relationship, she engages with them one-on-one as well as with other campus organizations and community partners. 

“My role is not to be a psychotherapist, but to be someone who still understands what it’s like to be a college student,” she said. 

Em works with students to connect them to community resources, from mental health services to Kosher food pantries, as well as supporting their career growth, Jewish community engagement, and helping them with in-the-moment coping skills when they need them.

“I never saw myself as a Jewish professional, but this felt like a really full-circle moment,” Em said. 

She attended Queens College as a student and interned with Hillel, though never envisioned herself working there. After getting her master’s in social work, she worked in psychiatric care, yet kept in touch with Jenna Citron Schwab, Queens Hillel’s executive director. 

“Those two worlds had never collided for me before,” she said, recalling the moment she saw the posting for the director of wellness role. “But I was so curious to work with college students on holistic student engagement, meeting them where they’re at, and helping them deepen their Jewish identity through mental health.”

Working on campus this year, something that stood out most to Em was how much her students came together to show up for one another. 

“We really saw so many students wanting to support other students — whether their friends were struggling with their mental health and they wanted skills to support them, or students were struggling with wanting to be in a safe Jewish space and their peers came to staff to cultivate that through different events or activities and speakers,” she said. “They’ve been so creative and so energized. It’s been amazing to see.”

While this school year has come to an end, Em — like other wellness professionals on campus — is already starting to plan for the fall semester. After months of rising antisemitism and hard conversations, she’s glad to report that the request she’s hearing most often from her students is for more programming centering on Jewish joy. 

“We hear so much about antisemitism, about the war, about the hostages, and it’s really difficult and heavy for them,” she said. “And what our students want to combat that antisemitism, that heaviness, is to be able to take joy in their Judaism. I’m excited to be able to help them do that.”
Curious about which campus Hillels are still hiring for a mental health or wellness professional for next school year? Check out Student Wellbeing roles on Hillel International’s job board as we aim to have 33 Hillel mental health and wellness professionals at 31 Hillels, which serve more than 33,000 students each year.

The post Across College Hillels, Mental Health and Wellness Professionals are Making a Difference appeared first on Hillel International.

Jewish Learning

Mental Health

Learning Wellness as a Jewish Value

Author

Daniella Cooper and Liora Knizhnik

Date

May 28, 2024

College is hard, and making time to care for your health and wellness can be even harder.

I didn’t expect that some of my most eye-opening learning about mental health would come from Hillel, but this past fall, I participated in a Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF) centered on wellness and Judaism at the University of Pittsburgh. As a double major in psychology and communication, I’ve always been interested in mental health, but this year was the first time I learned that caring for your mental health isn’t just important — it can be a way to practice your Jewish values. 

Our JLF cohort was led by Emily Levine, Hillel at Pitt’s director of engagement, and Danielle Kranjec, associate vice president of Hillel International’s Center for Jewish and Israel Education/Meyerhoff Center, and focused on health and wellness from a Jewish perspective. I was really interested to understand how mental health and well-being was related to Judaism, since it wasn’t a connection I’d ever made before. I was also interested to see how the curriculum would relate to what I was learning in my psychology classes. 

To my surprise, we talked about Jewish traditions and wellness in a way that was immediately applicable to our lives as college students. We learned about Shabbat and the concept of rest, about what it means to fast — or not fast — on Yom Kippur, what it means to care for a community without sacrificing our own well-being, and so much more.

Being part of this cohort at the time that I did made it even more relevant. Our group only met twice and had barely started to get to know each other before October 7. That day changed everything in so many ways, including our curriculum. Danielle and Emily shifted away from our written lessons, focusing more on discussing what was going on, how we were feeling, and what it meant to be experiencing this moment. Hillel was already working overtime to make sure we had spaces to talk or process, or even just eat and relax to get away from everything happening on campus, but this group felt more intentional and structured. 

For me, as someone with a lot of close friends at school who are not Jewish, having that outlet made a huge difference. My friends were supportive of me, but they didn’t have the same perspective and personal connection to what was happening. I’ll always be grateful I had a support system where everyone was willing to talk and engage from a place of understanding, even when our perspectives or opinions were different. 

One of the biggest lessons I took away from my cohort and the curriculum as a whole was the idea that taking care of yourself is part of the way we can care for our communities. I hold a number of leadership positions — it’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing, and I really love helping other people and looking out for my community. But that often means I’m stretched and at capacity, to the point where my friends will actually take me aside and say, “Daniella, really, you need to step back. You need to take a minute for yourself.” 

Taking a moment for myself is easier said than done. It felt like I was abandoning my responsibilities if I put myself first. But this year, in large part due to the JLF well-being curriculum, I started to understand that by taking some time to care for myself, I was actually putting myself into a better position to support my communities and lead by example. 

I decided to start small, by taking Sunday nights for myself. Instead of doing work or studying, I focused on activities that were  restful and restorative, like finding moments of peace for myself amid all the chaos. I think of it as a sort of personal Shabbat — it’s not a full rest day, but it’s a time each week when I say to myself, okay, this is just for me. 

And I’ve already noticed a difference. When Monday rolls around, I can actually accomplish what I need to do. I can talk to people and not be frustrated with them. I’m in a better headspace, just from taking that time to put my mental well-being first.

Mental health is something that impacts everyone, in different ways. Because of the Jewish Learning Fellowship, I’m going into my senior year with the idea that not only is it important for me to take time for self-care, but that it’s also a way to live my Jewish values, which makes it so much more meaningful for me. Knowing that taking care of ourselves is part of our tradition makes all the difference. I’m able to take what I learned and bring it into my everyday life to be a better leader on campus. 

And most importantly, I’m able to see that taking time for myself isn’t slacking off — it’s part of my Jewish identity, and a meaningful way of being Jewish in the world.

Daniella Cooper is a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh, where she studies psychology and communications. She spent the past two years on board Challah for Change and is currently serving as the president of the Panhellenic Council.

Students at 54 campus Hillels across North America participated this year in their Hillel’s Jewish Learning Fellowship’s (JLF) program “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Wellbeing,” an experiential, conversational 10-week seminar. 

The post Learning Wellness as a Jewish Value appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Student Wellness Grants Are Making a Difference on Campus — In Innovative and Surprising Ways

Author

Hillel International

Date

May 21, 2024

With antisemitism and encampment protests on the rise on college campuses, students need resources for mental health and wellness perhaps more than ever before. In the months since October 7, Jewish students have reported increased levels of fear and anxiety at school – with our most recent survey results showing 40% have felt the need to hide their Jewish identity from others on campus, and 61% saying there has been antisemitic, threatening or derogatory language toward Jewish people during protests at their school. These students are searching for spaces and programs where they can be themselves without explanation or apology. 

That’s where Hillel comes in. This year, Hillel International’s Center for Student and Staff Wellbeing awarded a record 73 student wellness grants to ensure campus Hillels have what they need to implement projects that help students feel connected, seen, supported, and inspired. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, here are just a few of the innovative ways campus Hillels have created new initiatives to support Jewish student well-being during this challenging time.

At the University of Rhode Island, Creativity Invites Connection

After October 7, one of the most common concerns Hillel professionals heard at the University of Rhode Island was that more students wanted to explore and understand their Jewish identity and heritage in a way that helped them feel connected to their campus peers. 

“We just really wanted an open conversation where we weren’t trying to say that we were trying to convince anyone of anything,” said Michael Schreiber, director of Jewish student life at URI.

Creative and artistic programs are historically a success with URI Hillel students, both with regular program attendees and students who only rarely stop by. This year, Schreiber noticed that students were looking for ways to understand the intersections of their many identities, including their Jewish identity, and to do that in a way that brought meaning to their lives and could even strengthen their connection to Judaism. That’s when he knew a creative program could be key in supporting Jewish students and others on campus. 

 “I don’t think we really had a goal in mind other than just to bring people together and have a space where people are able to creatively explore their identity and learn from others and their perspectives as well,” he said. “We really wanted to create the atmosphere and the environment of being able to think about your own identity, share it with others, and listen and hear from other people on their perspectives as well.”

That’s exactly what they did. Working with Nancy Katz, a local artist and educator with decades of experience in developing and creating contemporary Jewish art, they created the Identity and Community in Conversation workshop. Students were invited to choose from a sample of different symbols and respond to them in an artistic way. Symbols included a Star of David, a crescent, a cross, a rainbow, and others. 

After some time with their individual creative projects, students came back together in small groups to discuss what came up for them. 

“It was a fun and creative experience that made me think deeper about my identity and what defines me,” said class of 2026 student Hagar Yosfan, who attended the program. 

Along with Hillel, the program was co-sponsored by the URI Chaplains Association, the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, the Women’s Center, and the Gender and Sexuality Center. 

“I think a lot of students also benefited from being able to hear from other people’s perspectives, and a lot of identities they may not have considered,” said Schreiber. “Students were able to bring their full selves to the conversation.”

For Molly Stogner, class of 2025, the best part of the program was reconnecting to the campus community in ways she hadn’t experienced before. 

“To me it meant a group of URI students from all different backgrounds and ways of life coming together, showing, teaching, and exploring each other’s representation of themselves and meeting new friends within the community,” she said.

George Mason University Hillel’s Wellness Lounge is Open to All

Last year, Sydney Spanier, Springboard Fellow at George Mason University, noticed that a lounge space in the shared campus ministry building wasn’t living up to its full potential. 

“It was mostly a storage closet,” she said. “And that was not conducive to students spending time there. There was a very old couch and it was very sad.”

Spanier applied for a wellness grant through Hillel, and was able to fully revamp the space, focusing on bringing in items that made the lounge feel welcoming, calming, and quiet. 

“It became this oasis where people could study and have a chill space where they could be on campus and know that they had somewhere to go and relax.”

After October 7, there was a distinct change in the way students used the Wellness Lounge.

Instead of coming to study or relax, they were using the space to get away from tensions on campus, as a place to be social, have a snack or a cup of coffee, and get some support from Hillel staff, as well as their peers. With traffic increasing and a new set of needs emerging, Spanier applied for another wellness grant — this time focusing on supplies and program materials that would shift the space to center on bringing some much-needed joy to Jewish students.

“Instead of just having weighted blankets and earplugs and soft lighting, we were able to also get a Nintendo Switch with a bunch of games, and have more snacks and coffee available, and a ton of board games,” Spanier said. “Puzzles, coloring books, all of those things to change that space to not just be like a place where people can study, but also a place where people can just be like authentic selves.”

The shift has been a huge success. With traffic to the lounge increasing by more than 300%, students were able to freely celebrate their Jewish identity, feel accepted and included, and live a joyous Jewish life as a college student. 

“Our thinking was that if we infuse this space with so much joy, students won’t feel a sense of anxiety when they walk in here. They’re not going to feel like they need to be ready to have a tense or serious conversation,” Spanier said. “Instead, they can just walk in and do a puzzle.” 

In addition, because the lounge space is shared across 20 campus ministry organizations, the Wellness Lounge has become a bridge-building initiative, where students from many faith traditions are able to come together and enjoy simply being young adults, away from the tensions and protests on campus. 

Spanier hopes that in the coming year, students of all faiths will continue to be able to use the lounge as a space to build relationships in a fun, supportive, joy-oriented environment. 

“It’s opened the doors for a lot of bridge-building,” she said. “I can absolutely see it helping us to further our interfaith work on campus as we continue to build up the space — and come together as an entire campus faith community, not just as Mason Hillel.”

All Aboard the Kindness Cart at the University of Central Florida

At the University of Central Florida, the idea behind the project that became their wellness grant program came from an unexpected source: leftover candy. 

When UCF Hillel students noticed extra candy and positive notes left over following their Candy Bar Table and Spread Kindness Table programs, they didn’t want them to go to waste. Packing up the Hillel golf cart, they decided to hand out the remaining candy and notes to students they passed on campus. The students’ delight at the unexpected treats gave the Hillel team an idea: If that one short drive made a difference to those few students, why not make an even bigger impact with a weekly activity? And why not use the opportunity to promote UCF Hillel’s presence in a positive light, as a way to combat the rising antisemitism on campus?

They applied for a wellness grant, and the Kindness Cart was born. Each week, Hillel staff and student leaders hand out small kindness treats as they drive the golf cart around campus: motivational stickers, small snacks, even little rubber ducks with positive messages. 

“It’s really a way of sharing our values,” said Alyssa Shears, assistant director of engagement and student life at UCF Hillel. “Particularly the Jewish values of tzedakah and tikkun olam. It’s our way of giving back to the entire UCF community, not just our Jewish students.”

Even before October 7, Shears had noticed students were feeling more isolated and disconnected from one another, something she attributes at least in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“They’re just really struggling to feel connected,” she said. 

One of the most rewarding parts of the Kindness Cart has been seeing what a difference it makes when students feel seen and recognized as individuals, while also being connected to their broader UCF community.

For Lindsay Rosenzweig, UCF Hillel’s Springboard Fellow and the primary organizer of the Kindness Cart, seeing the students’ reactions to it is proof of concept. 

“There was a moment when we approached a student who was actually in tears because she was having such a tough day,” she recalled. “And we offered her a novelty positivity potato trinket, and her whole face just lit up, and she stopped crying. She just looked at us and said, ‘I really needed this.’”

Because of the Kindness Cart, students now see Hillel as a resource on campus for all students, Jewish or not. It’s inspiring UCF students to see the Jewish community as welcoming, giving, and inclusive, despite the tensions on campus since October 7. 

“We’re taking this concept of being a light upon the nations and spreading light to UCF students through these acts of kindness,” Rosenzweig wrote in her grant application.

“It’s gotten to the point where just the sight of the golf cart brings people joy,” Shears said. “People see it and make an immediate positive association. Their faces absolutely light up. It’s amazing to see.”

The post Student Wellness Grants Are Making a Difference on Campus — In Innovative and Surprising Ways appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Supporting Mental Health and Wellness When It’s Needed Most

Author

Hillel International

Date

January 10, 2024

Since the start of Hamas-Israel war, college campuses have experienced a historic increase in antisemitic incidents, and mental health and wellness support for Jewish students, and the Hillel professionals who support them, has never been more critical. 

A pulse-survey of Hillel directors highlighted that additional wellness programs and counseling services were needed to support Hillel students and staff during this challenging time. The survey indicated that wellness programs and counseling sessions were the second and third most attended student events, respectively, just behind vigils and rallies in support of Israel. Hillel International has responded accordingly, offering an expanded slate of robust programs and resources to support and uplift staff so they can in turn support and uplift students.

Over the next two months, all Hillel professionals will have access to twelve free mental health sessions and twelve coaching sessions throughout the year. Additionally, dedicated on-campus mental health staff continues to expand as part of the $1.8 million Zalik Foundation grant, awarded in 2022.  As a result, the number of Hillels with a dedicated mental health or wellness professional has grown from 13 to 20 in 2023. Having these professionals in place allows campus Hillels to more quickly provide support to students and staff.  

Immediately after October 7th, UC Berkeley Hillel’s on-campus clinician created a resource to help parents talk with their college students about the terrorist attack and the increase in antisemitism on campus.  Additionally, the Emergency Campus Grants for Mental Health & Wellness have provided over $140,000 to 87 campus Hillels so far, funding student wellness programs and clinical support for students and staff.  

As Hillel professionals prepared to gather for the 2023 Hillel International Global Assembly, the Hillel International Center for Student and Staff Wellbeing was acutely aware of the need for programming and spaces for Hillel professionals to heal and rest together after an incredibly challenging semester. From a wellness lounge focused on rest and processing to conference care kits, Hillel professionals were given the opportunity to unwind, destress, and receive a taste of the care that they have been providing to their students. 

“Having the opportunity to interact with the puppies truly brought a sense of calm to a hectic time for those working in the Jewish professional world right now. The moment I saw Sasha the pug I knew she was coming home with me!” – Melina Ramirez

One of the most talked about opportunities at HIGA 2023 was a partnership with Dallas Dog, an organization that rescues and rehabilitates abandoned dogs and facilitates adoption. The volunteer-run organization wanted to show-up and support the Jewish community, so they jumped at the chance to provide puppy cuddling sessions to conference attendees. “During this time of upheaval in the world we wanted to do something positive to show our support for the Jewish community.” said Deana Varner, Dallas Dog Medical Coordinator. “Puppies are natural therapy and that is what we could do to help.  All of our volunteers said it was the best event they had ever attended and it brought tears to their eyes as they saw the joy in so many faces.”

As Hillel professionals welcome students back for a new semester, Hillel International continues to sustain and expand resources for the much-needed mental health and wellness work being done on campuses across the world. For more information on Hillel International’s Center for Student and Staff Well-being, please contact wellness@hillel.org.

The post Supporting Mental Health and Wellness When It’s Needed Most appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Celebrating Hillel’s Student Wellness Grants

Author

Hillel International

Date

November 29, 2023

In keeping with the core Jewish principle of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit, Hillel International recently awarded 29 grants to support student wellness. These microgrants, totaling more than $25,000, not only promote student connection, relaxation, and belonging, but they also serve to mitigate the impact of rising antisemitism on college campuses following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th. With more than one in three Jewish students reporting the need to hide their Jewish identity on campus, this funding helps Hillels create meaningful community where students feel seen, safe, and supported. 

Sarah Cohn, Associate Director of Student and Staff Wellbeing and clinical social worker, shared the importance of this support in this moment: “Our Student Wellness Grants are so impactful, because they are designed to address the unique needs of students on their respective campuses. We help Hillel professionals personalize initiatives, which empowers Hillel communities to co-create particularly meaningful and engaging offerings that students need and want.”

Read on to learn more about just three of the projects we are supporting: Vanderbilt Hillel, Oregon Hillel, and Hillels of Westchester, who demonstrated a commitment to supporting students’ holistic wellbeing while sharing meaningful outlets unique to their communities.  

Embracing the Outdoors: Vanderbilt Hillel’s Out’Dores Program

Vanderbilt Hillel’s ongoing Hillel Out’Dores program combines nature, Judaism, and community. By organizing hikes, swims, climbs, and kayaking, students explore the intersection of Judaism and nature. At Vanderbilt, students particularly enjoy this opportunity to get off campus and into nature in and beyond Nashville. Carly Payne, Vanderbilt Hillel’s Jewish Student Life Engagement Coordinator, shares that, “Keeping up with the demands of college classes can be stressful. This program gives students the ability to take a break and explore the outdoors, while making meaningful memories with new and old friends alike.”

Rosh Chodesh: A Place for Connection at Oregon Hillel

Oregon Hillel’s Rosh Chodesh group continues to grow as a source of support and connection for female-identifying and non-binary students. This monthly gathering fosters a sense of community and spirituality, offering a space for conversation, reflection, and mindfulness. The Hillel International microgrant will help to cover supplies and materials for the year. In light of the rise in antisemitism on college campuses across the U.S., 4 out of 5 students reported that Hillel and Jewish spaces on campus are more important than ever. This initiative is a critical step in fostering connection among students by providing a supportive environment where they can immerse themselves in ancient wisdom. 

“Oregon Hillel’s Rosh Chodesh program seeks to address wellness through a holistic approach that includes mental well-being, building deeper relationships, and practicing spiritual wellness through our mindfulness activities. With the recent terrorist attack in Israel and the rise of antisemitism, students feel particularly vulnerable and disconnected,” explains Alexandra Malve, Zidell Family Innovation Springboard Fellow at Oregon Hillel. 

Programs like this one create meaningful spaces on campus for the Jewish community to safely gather and express themselves.

Hebrew School Sex Ed: Hillels of Westchester Breaking Boundaries

Hillels of Westchester are embarking on a groundbreaking initiative with the launch of the Hebrew School Sex Ed (HSSE) program, which aims to provide a safe, Jewishly-informed space for comprehensive sexual health education. By emphasizing inclusivity, consent, and intersectionality, this program fosters understanding, respect, and belonging among students. HSSE explicitly welcomes those with queer identities, opening the doors for those who may have previously felt excluded from parts of Jewish life. Madison Leifer, Hillels of Westchester’s Social Justice Springboard Fellow, reflects that: “By offering a Jewish space that is inclusive of all gender and sexual identities, we help create a sense of belonging for many of our queer or questioning students.” 

Westchester is breaking boundaries on previously taboo topics while also creating intentional community where students can learn and explore the many ways they can interact with Judaism on a daily basis.

These three projects showcase the diverse ways Hillel nurtures the well-being of students by honoring Jewish traditions and values. Hillels across the country, and world, are facilitating meaningful and engaging opportunities for Jewish expression where students can experience much-needed security and comfort while deepening their Jewish identity.

The post Celebrating Hillel’s Student Wellness Grants appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Five Ways Hillel Mental Health Professionals Improve Jewish Life on Campus

Author

Hillel International

Date

January 24, 2023

Yael Kornfeld, Hunter Hillel Social Worker, recently sat down with Yehuda Kurtzer, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute North America, on the Hartman Institute’s podcast, Identity/Crisis, to discuss her work. Here are five ways that her work and the work of social workers across the Hillel movement are improving the lives of Jewish students on campus.

While the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for mental health support on campus, it did not create that need.

Yael shared that Merav Fine-Braun, Executive Director at Hunter Hillel, identified the need for mental health care at Hillel in 2019 when she learned that 80% of Hunter College’s students experience food insecurity. From the beginning, building out a role for a social worker on Hunter Hillel’s staff was about addressing basic needs for every Hillel student, from mental health to housing. 

Students on different campuses have unique needs.

Hunter’s student population has a diverse range of students from different socioeconomic, geographic, and religious backgrounds. Having a mental health professional who is an expert in a specific student population and who is familiar with the culture and needs of the students is critical. “Many of our students are either first-generation immigrants, or their parents are… It’s so important to have someone at Hillel with the cultural competency to understand where our students are coming from,” Yael reflected. 

Mental health professionals embedded in Hillels have a particular effectiveness in reaching students who need care.

As Yael said, “A very basic tenet of social work is meeting the client where they are. So if students are coming into Hillel, let’s be there. Let’s be ready to support them in the place that they’re already comfortable coming to.” 

Hillel mental health professionals work in concert with university counseling centers to make sure students are receiving comprehensive services.

One of the biggest questions about having mental health professionals work full time at Hillel is where their work intersects with university counseling services. Yael emphasized that Hillel mental health professionals and university counseling services work in collaboration with each other and often fill different mental health needs for students.

Mental health and wellness are crucial to student success.

Hillels have always been dedicated to supporting and enriching Jewish students’ lives. Through Yael’s work and the work of other mental health professionals at Hillels across the world, Hillels are meeting students’ emotional and mental needs in addition to their communal and spiritual needs. 

Yael and the other mental health professionals working in Hillels all over the country have shown the need for Hillels to provide mental health support on top of the diverse array of programming and guidance that they already offer. Thank you to the Shalom Hartman Institute North America for continuing this important conversation.

The post Five Ways Hillel Mental Health Professionals Improve Jewish Life on Campus appeared first on Hillel International.

Hillel Leadership

Mental Health

My tattoo of the Hebrew word chai represents my Judaism and my long battle with depression.

Author

Hillel International

Date

July 26, 2019

The post My tattoo of the Hebrew word chai represents my Judaism and my long battle with depression. appeared first on Hillel International.