News

Updates from Hillel CASE (Central Asia Southeastern Europe)

Author

Hillel International

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 Yad VaShem World Holocaust Remembrance Center 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’Shvat

Each Hillel CASE city has its own Tu B’Shvat 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. 

One of the most unique Tu B’Shvat 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’Shvat 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 — 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’s 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 — 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 “Capybara Research,” “Things in Hillel That Just Make Sense,” “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

Hillel Kharkiv back in nature for Lag Ba’Omer! 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’Omer with a bonfire, treats, and games about the traditions and practices of Lag Ba’Omer. Hillel participants and staff alike were excited to celebrate together in nature after so many months of upheaval. 

Learning about art therapy in Kyiv: 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. 

Celebrating Shavuot in the rain: 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’s connections helped them overcome the struggles of the past year. 

Children’s Dream Festival with Hillel Lviv: In honor of World Children’s 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. 

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’s 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’s 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. 

Building New Lives and a Community in Israel

When the world is shifting around you, you’re 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

Hillel Kyiv and Hillel Odessa Meet for Shabbat in Chernivtsi: 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 “yes”!

Helping Those in Need with Hillel Kyiv: 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. 

Celebrating Sukkot in Odessa: 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!

Shabbat by Candlelight in Kyiv: 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.

Hillel Kharkiv’s Havdalah and Paint Night: 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.

Dealing with Anxiety at Hillel Odessa: 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

Hillel Kharkiv Rebuilds: 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. 

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

Taglit group from Baku: 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. 

Madrich Schools: 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 blast!

Service Projects: From the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Hillel Lviv’s 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.

 *Photo provided by Hillel CASE

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News

Hillel Kharkiv: Hope in the Darkness

Author

Hillel International

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 the Hillel Kharkiv building had been destroyed by a Russian missile. “There are two days that stand out to me as the hardest days of my life,” Yuliya remembered, “The one that came first is the day that Hillel Kharkiv was bombed.” 

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’s 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. 

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. 

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. 

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, “Hillel gives us hope against all odds.” 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. 

The post Hillel Kharkiv: Hope in the Darkness appeared first on Hillel International.

News

High Holiday Roundup

Author

Hillel International

Date

October 7, 2022

What makes observing the High Holidays at Hillel special?

From service-oriented programs like Reverse Tashlich to apples and honey taste tests to a variety of traditional and creative services, Hillel students and staff members have been celebrating growth, joy, and wellness in the new year. 

We have been inspired by the thoughtfulness and passion that campus communities brought to the High Holidays, so we gathered a snapshot of celebrations at campuses across the globe.

At Purdue University Hillel, students have been focusing on committing to compassion and self-care in the new year. Executive Director Melissa Frey wrote a Blessing for Self Care that helped center many of those conversations, including a Yom Kippur discussion on “Why Gratitude is a Jewish Value.” You can find more photos and musings from Purdue Hillel here. 

Students from Emerson College and Suffolk University, two Boston campuses of Hillel Council of New England, celebrated the new year with a canoeing trip. Springboard Ezra Fellow Rachel Sturges led the group in Torah study and the ritual of Tashlich along the banks of the Charles River. This program supplemented the variety of service and meal options offered at these two campuses and across Hillel Council’s three other campuses throughout both days of Rosh Hashanah.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County Hillel students came together to celebrate the ritual of Tashlich. They meditated together on areas of their life where they would like to seek improvement in the new year. 

The Hillel Lviv and Hillel Kharkiv communities gathered together for Rosh Hashanah at the lake, where they discussed goals and hopes for the new year and shared a holiday meal with foods traditional to their communities. Hillel members also participated in a service trip for the High Holidays, during which they brought local families together for a day of fun and celebration. 

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

Author

Hillel International

Date

June 22, 2022

Earlier this month, the American Jewish Committee honored students at Hillels 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.

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

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, “I stand with my Jewish friends.”

The IU Hillel also helped create the university’s 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’s Stand with Ukraine Fund, which raised over $2.4 million.

“We 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,” said AJC CEO David Harris. “We 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,”

“I’m grateful to AJC for shining a light on what we at Hillel get to see every day. The Jewish future is bright,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman.

This article was originally posted by the American Jewish Committee on June 14, 2022.

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News

Hillel Kharkiv Begins to Rebuild

Author

Hillel International

Date

June 22, 2022

The post Hillel Kharkiv Begins to Rebuild appeared first on Hillel International.