News

At the Super Bowl Black-Jewish Unity Summit, Connection is the Winner

Author

Hillel International

Date

February 20, 2025

Super Bowl Sunday drew millions of eyes to New Orleans for the biggest football game of the year. That same weekend, at historic Xavier University, well-known athletes gathered with Black, Jewish, and Black and Jewish students for a powerful conversation about their roles in fighting hate. 

This Unity Summit was a continuation of the Black-Jewish Unity Dinner series, created in partnership by Hillel International, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS). These gatherings, now in their second year, bring together Jewish students and students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to build on the historical bonds between Black and Jewish communities. In doing so, they create opportunities for a new generation of college students to connect, communicate, and build relationships. 

“We know that antisemitism and racism are very real challenges that the Jewish and Black communities face, and by coming together to learn about how we are all impacted, we can work to build a better future. ,” said Dani Levine, director of social impact at Hillel International. “It is crucial that we acknowledge our histories, learn from one another, and unite in our efforts to fight hate and discrimination.”

With a  dedicated focus on the power of college athletes to serve as campus leaders, the Unity Summit included a panel discussion with notable sports and media figures, including, Dearica Hamby, WNBA Champion, two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, and forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, Nancy Lieberman, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and two-time Olympian silver-medalist, Leonard Fournette, professional football running back and Super Bowl champion, Greg Joseph, NFL place kicker and one of the only active Jewish players in the 2024 NFL season, and Jake Retzlaff, the first-ever Jewish quarterback to play at Brigham Young University. Some other special guests stopped by throughout the event, including Malcolm Butler, Meek Mill, and Gayle King.

Attendees spent time together in small-group conversations, while on-site content creators created real-time content to share with their communities. More than 100 Black and Jewish college athletes were in attendance, representing Xavier University, Tulane University, Dillard University, and Loyola University.

“Athletes have to come together across difference everyday to work towards a shared goal. Student athletics are some of the most diverse spaces on college campuses, and we were grateful that so many student athletes were able to share their experiences with each other and apply the lessons they’ve learned from the sports world to the important work of fighting bias. ” Levine said. ”

The event also highlighted the special microgrant opportunity offered from Hillel International that invests in the ongoing connections and collaborations between Black and Jewish students. Students who attended the Summit or any Unity Dinner were eligible to receive up to $1,000 in microgrants to host a follow-up event of any kind — the only requirement being that it is organized by at least one Jewish and one HBCU student. 

As of February 2025, Unity Dinners have engaged hundreds of students throughout Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Houston, and New Orleans. We’re excited to continue the series later this year with students from across the country. Learn more about past Unity Dinners.

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News

Letters from Alyssa: My Journey to Understanding Voting as a Mitzvah

Author

Alyssa Wallack

Date

October 28, 2024

During my sophomore year at the University of Southern California, I took a course focused on Jewish ethics and civic responsibility. While I grew up hearing about the importance of voting from my parents and grandparents, this was the first time I connected the dots between my Jewish identity and my role as a citizen.

Our group discussions often centered around the concept of tikkun olam—repairing the world. We talked about how every action we take, no matter how small, can contribute to making the world a better place. One evening, our instructor asked us, “How does voting fit into tikkun olam?”

Initially, I was stumped. Sure, voting was important, but was it really as instrumental in improving the world as direct community service or charitable giving? As we delved deeper into Jewish texts and their modern interpretations, I began to see voting in a new light.

We learned about the Talmudic principle of “dina d’malchuta, dina” – the law of the land is binding. In a democracy, we have the unique opportunity to participate in creating these laws. By voting, we’re not just following the law, but actively shaping it to reflect our values.

The Torah commands us: Justice, justice shall you pursue (Deuteronomy 16:20). Our instructor challenged us to think about how voting allows us to pursue justice on a larger scale than we could as individuals.

As the election season approached, coupled with my new understanding, I got involved with voter registration drive initiatives. I was surprised by how many of my fellow students weren’t registered to vote or didn’t think their vote mattered.

I found myself sharing what I’d learned in the course. “In Jewish tradition, every single action matters,” I explained to them, “The Talmud teaches that saving one life is like saving an entire world. Your one vote might seem small, but it has the power to make a real difference.”

The more I talked about voting as a Jewish value, the more I internalized it myself. I realized that by participating in elections, I am honoring the generations before me who didn’t have this right. 

As I cast my ballot this November, I will do so with a sense of pride and connection to my Jewish identity. Voting isn’t just about fulfilling a civic duty – it is about living out our Jewish values in a tangible way.

To my fellow Jewish students,: Your vote is more than just a choice on a ballot. It’s a way to pursue justice, to take responsibility for your community, and to work toward tikkun olam. It’s a mitzvah – a sacred obligation and opportunity.

So when Election Day comes, embrace this mitzvah. Head to the polls, cast your ballot, and know that you’re participating in a deeply Jewish act. Your voice matters – let it be heard!

Take good care,

Alyssa

Alyssa Wallack is a USC senior from Los Angeles. A passionate advocate for Jewish and Israel-related causes, she’s now interning with Hillel International. When not immersed in her studies or various fellowships, Alyssa loves exploring LA’s food scene and connecting with fellow students about all things Jewish.

Letters from Alyssa is a series of reflections and advice from Alyssa Wallack, a senior at USC and a Hillel International Intern.

Learn more about MitzVote, Hillel International’s nonpartisan civic engagement initiative.

The post Letters from Alyssa: My Journey to Understanding Voting as a Mitzvah appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Service Learning in Rwanda

Author

Hillel International

Date

January 24, 2023

Dani Levine, Director of Social Impact at Hillel International, and Anna Worrell, Social Impact Program Manager, are currently traveling through Rwanda with OLAM as part of the Jewish Service Alliance Trip to Rwanda, powered by Repair the World. Follow this page for updates from their travels.

Thursday, January 19

Our last day in Kigali was packed full of learning, exploring, and reflecting on the connections between international and local development. We started the morning with a truly amazing panel of Rwandan alumni of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s International Development (Glocal) masters program. Alumni Jean Claude Muhite, Ernest Ngabo, and Espoir Serukiza shared their experiences with the multitude of development projects they have implemented here in Rwanda. 

Anna and I had the pleasure of speaking with Jean Claude about his most recent work with implementing a program called GiveDirectly, which facilitates unconditional cash transfers to people living in extreme poverty in Rwanda. He reminded us that many people living in extreme poverty know what they need, they just don’t have money to access it. And often they don’t need a program run by an international organization, they need an unconditional cash gift so they can implement their own solutions. The lessons in humility have been constant for me.

After the panel we traveled to Gardens for Health International, a working farm and education center that runs multiple programs to address malnourishment. Prior to Belgian colonization, the traditional Rwandan diet was nutritionally dense and diverse. The Belgian government’s forced agricultural program depleted the soils, introduced less nutrient dense foods, and prioritized farming for export. Gardens for Health International utilizes and teaches regenerative agricultural methods and partners with local mothers to provide sustainable solutions to malnutrition. We ate a delicious lunch of fresh vegetables and fruits and toured the beautiful land.

We then returned to Kigali and spoke with Clementine Mukamana, President of Junior Chamber International Rwanda, and Neville Ndahiro. Clementine and Neville are both leaders in the work to end gender based violence in Rwanda. They shared their experiences participating in training with OLAM partner El HaLev,  gave us a small sample of their training, and another reminder that the best kind of cross-cultural collaboration involves deep listening and humility. Then, Clementine and Neville offered to walk around the neighborhood with us to share some very cool sights near our hotel. I’m overwhelmed by the generosity and hospitality of the many Rwandans who have shared their time and energy with us.

My main takeaway from today is the collective and communal responsibility in Rwandan culture. Success seems to be far less of a personal, individual achievement, and much more of a communal one. I think our students have so much to learn from the young people who are rebuilding this country (Rwanda has one of the youngest populations in the world). The conviction that the success of Rwanda, and Rwandan people is founded in the the culture of communal responsibility, is something that we and our students could learn and benefit from.

Wednesday, January 18

Today was a long and hard day. We began with a conversation on our obligation as Jews, in a new position of relative privilege in the world. How does that privilege impact our obligation to do good in the world? These questions set the stage for our visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial museum. The Memorial is a mass burial site for hundreds of thousands of genocide victims, as well as a museum detailing the genocide in Rwanda and genocides around the world, including the Holocaust. The exhibits were educational, disturbing, horrifying, and at times unbearable. This is such recent history, less than 30 years ago. And yet, I am continually impressed by the Rwandan people we speak to, who emphatically agree that the genocide was horrific and wrong. I think we can learn a lot in the U.S. about admitting mistakes and moving towards reconciliation.

After the museum we travelled to a reconciliation village in a rural area outside of Kigali where survivors, refugees, and perpetrators live together. Village members generously shared their stories with us. It was overwhelming to witness the capacity for both repentance and forgiveness from them. They also had questions for us as Jews; they wanted to know if we could forgive the Nazis, if we had chosen to forgive in order to heal ourselves.

We ended our day with dinner with the Israeli ambassador to Rwanda and many unanswerable questions about obligation, Belgian colonization, forgiveness and building the world as it should be.

Tuesday, January 17

We had a really inspiring first day in Rwanda. We started with learning about the very incredible work happening at MindLeaps, an NGO that uses dance as a method to build self-esteem, self-efficacy, and sustainable livelihoods for young people.

We then toured the  Nyamirambo neighborhood with the Nyamirambo Women’s Cooperative, a model of collective empowerment that has provided education and livelihood training and support to more than 5,000 women. Rwanda leads the world in implementing gender parity in public life, with women making up 60% of the country’s parliament!

One of the most inspiring speakers we heard from today was Isabelle Kamariza from SolidAfrica she reminded us that Africa is solid, and Rwanda in particular is a resilient, brilliant, and innovative country.

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News

Forgiveness in the TikTok Era

Author

Hillel International

Date

October 4, 2022

How do we talk about teshuvah/forgiveness/redemption in a world where both mistakes and transgressions are very public and responses to them are fast, public, and often black and white.

When our mistakes are visible publicly, they have an impact that goes beyond our immediate relationships. How can we ask forgiveness, and address the harm that we have caused to those from whom we cannot seek individual forgiveness?

We posed this question to a variety of educators and experts, and here is their advice on how to move forward, seeking repair!

Tony Westbrook, Jr., Director of Jewish Service Learning at Repair the World

Former Assistant Director, Hillel at Washington University in St Louis
https://www.instagram.com/frumjewishblackboy/
Tiktok: frumjewishblackboy

When our mistakes are publicly visible, we must model what it means to be vulnerable and humble enough to say, “I’ve messed up, this caused harm in my community, I own it, and I’m sorry.” Forgiveness is challenging. To ask for forgiveness is a radical act of accountability and vulnerability. It’s radical because it forces us to think beyond ourselves and to think about the harm, whether intentional or unintentional, we have caused others. In this moment, it also requires us to recognize that the harm may be beyond repair, but the onus is on us to try and engage those we’ve harmed by asking forgiveness. If we don’t try, then it is as if we are engaging in the harmful behavior all over again. We can make posts on social media, we can write an op-ed to our local papers, we can write apologies in the sky – none of this will matter if we haven’t done the deep act of owning our mistake before reaching out to those we’ve harmed through our actions and words. 

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, Rabbi and Author

Scholar in Residence at the National Council of Jewish Women
https://www.onrepentance.com/
https://twitter.com/TheRaDR

 First of all, let’s use the word harm, not mistake. Impact matters, not intent. In any case, owning harm must be proportionate to that impact: publicly-seen harm requires a public confession, a public owning of one’s actions. (If the harm happened in an online group, say, it must be owned at least in that space.)  If there are specific victims, restitution must be made in consultation with them, but should be broader than simply to those victims – they must, additionally, make amends through work that addresses the larger cultural impact in some way. If there are no specific victims, e.g. if one perpetrated a harmful idea online, then restitution must involve offering time or money or talents towards positive change on that issue. The work we must do to transform ourselves, to offer apologies, and to ultimately make different choices must, likewise, account for the impact, both broad and, if relevant, specific.

Listen, I cause harm in public all the time. It’s true. And then I clean up my mess. Take responsibility immediately, do the work, try to learn from it and do better–and I promise, it’ll be OK. This is part of walking the path of being a mensch (a decent person), and you can do it. 

Judith Moses Dworkin, Vice President, Campus Life and DEI Initiatives, Hillel Ontario

https://www.instagram.com/hillelontario

The first step is to realize that you have caused harm. The second step is to figure out how to do better going forward. When we don’t know who has been harmed, we can hope that the audience has their own network that can support them. A blanket message asking for forgiveness might be a good alternative to individual forgiveness in the hopes that it will reach the people it caused harm to. However, it is not enough. Learning from your mistakes and learning how to do better next time so as not to cause harm again are tools within your power. Use those tools and seek out opportunities to undo harm even if it’s not the same audience. You still have the power and social networks to spread good messages. Sometimes our mistakes can teach us powerful lessons. Use these lessons to make the world a better place.

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News

Shabbat Meant Something New After the Fall of Roe v. Wade

Author

Alexa Kupor

Date

June 30, 2022

I like to think about the entry of Shabbat as a blanket of peace and quiet descending on the Jewish community as dusk falls on Friday evenings. The words of “Lecha Dodi” liken the beginning of Shabbat to a bride, evoking delicate images of grace, elegance, and reverence.

Last week was different. 

As I live on the West Coast, I first read the news of the overruling of Roe v. Wade upon waking up on Friday morning. By the time the sunset signaled the start of Shabbat, I had digested countless social media posts; engaged in fearful conversations with friends; and witnessed vehement protests from San Francisco City Hall to the steps of the Supreme Court. It was the opposite of peace and quiet, and it was only through this restlessness that we could find a reasonable channel for an inkling of our overflowing anger and apprehension.

Protest against policies that promote injustice or deprive people of civil liberties is a core Jewish value, as is the broader fight for reproductive justice. Despite common assumption, Judaism provides a significant theological justification for the protection of the right to terminate a pregnancy.

For example, the Mishnah, a compilation of oral laws compiled during the first and second centuries CE, proclaims that an expecting mother’s life “takes precedence” over that of an embryo until its head has exited the womb. Likewise, a passage in Exodus, the second book of the Torah, describes a scenario in which violence resulting in a woman’s miscarriage — and no other “damage” — shall be punished by a fine, whereas only if the woman is hurt or killed should the punishment be “life for life.” This framework deliberately denies a fetus the same legal standing as a human being and clearly differentiates between a pregnant individual — and the legitimacy of their life — and the fetus, which lacks the same classification.

Prominent Jewish commentator Rashi provides further detail for when one may classify an individual as living, claiming that not until “his head has emerged” and entered “the air of the world” may Judaic law declare the existence of a human with a “soul.” That means that the state abortion bans already in place across the South and Midwest, many of which define life from the moment of fertilization and provide no exceptions for pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, directly prevent pregnant individuals from making medical decisions with their Judaism in mind. By taking away one fundamental right — that of the privacy to make essential decisions regarding one’s body — the Supreme Court has indirectly gutted another: the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of religion and free exercise thereof.

However, this is not to say that Jewish tradition is unquestionably committed to the principles of reproductive justice in all possible circumstances. Judaism is an intellectually diverse religion, and those who disagree with the aforementioned characterizations of abortion can often find textual and cultural support for their position. Even the ostensibly progressive belief that mental or physical health threats should be grounds for an abortion reflects an underlying belief that abortion is inherently immoral; simply not wishing to give birth and take care of a child does not suffice, in this perspective, to justify an abortion. Israeli law reflects this attitude and requires approval of an abortion committee before the procedure may be accessed, which I believe falls short of ensuring full bodily autonomy.

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America’s position also reflects the ambivalence about abortion that is clear in some of our sources. It condemns absolute abortion bans and recognizes Jewish law’s prioritization of a pregnant person’s life over that of the fetus in the case of threats to the former’s physical or mental health. It also, however, emphasizes the rights that should be granted to an “unborn fetus” as a possessor of “potential life.”

While acknowledging these layers of complexity, I embrace the traditions within Judaism that support the full rights to bodily autonomy, and I remain hopeful for a Jewish community in the present and future that promotes this value, in addition to reproductive justice and basic humanity for all individuals. I have long felt guided by the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam: the call to repair the world. On days such as this, it is difficult to know where to begin in salvaging the remains of a world appearing so different from the one in which myself and my foremothers expected I would grow up.

Yes, the Shabbat that started the day Roe v. Wade fell was different from most; rather than being blanketed in a sentiment of peace and rejuvenation, it was peppered with moments of exasperation, permeated by episodes of dread and confusion, and, perhaps most importantly, filled with attempts to strategize for a better future and build coalitions committed to protecting reproductive rights in all corners of the country. And it was this loudness, this volume, this undeniable buzz of anger, sadness, and action that made it feel more Jewish than any quiet evening could have. Tzedek, tzedek, tirdof. Our work is cut out for us. Onwards.

Alexa Kupor (she/her) is an incoming sophomore at Stanford University. Originally from San Jose, CA, she plans to study history and feminist, gender, and sexuality studies.

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News

Hillel International Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Abortion

Author

Hillel International

Date

June 24, 2022

The post Hillel International Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Abortion appeared first on Hillel International.

News

Penn Hillel Students Inspire Healing…with Jewish Teddy Bears

Author

Alexandra Goldberg

Date

April 27, 2022

Penn Hillel students are comforting people in need of healing — one teddy bear at a time. 

Audrey Singer, 21, and Aden Horowitz, 21, founded Mishe Bear, a startup that sells plush teddy bears to provide comfort to those who are ill. Each bear holds a customizable note and a heart-shaped card containing the “Mi Sheberach,” a Jewish prayer of healing.

“So many of our family members and friends have been suffering during the pandemic,” said Singer, a health and societies major. “Saying ‘Mi Sheberach’ for a loved one is very powerful, and with a Mishe Bear, the prayer can stay with them. It reminds them that someone is praying for their recovery.”

The Jewish-inspired teddy bear is designed to lift spirits and help loved ones find strength in the words of the “Mi Sheberach.” This powerful blessing (sometimes spelled Mi Shebeirach) is usually recited during prayer services, offering a moment of reflection for those in need of healing. 

“‘Mi Sheberach’ is a prayer of healing in any way that you need it — spiritual healing, emotional healing, physical healing,” said Horowitz, a junior studying finance and fine art. “In a lot of Jewish families, the prayer means that someone is wishing that you heal from a divine source and receive divine goodness. It’s special.”

A Mishe Bear is a simple yet meaningful gift, Horowitz said. The first, unofficial customer was her aunt, who now serves on the Mishe Bear board. 

She was hospitalized during the pandemic. To support her aunt, Horowitz sent her a teddy bear with a printed copy of the “Mi Sheberach,” creating the original Mishe Bear. 

“Not only did the bear help my aunt through her healing process, but it also got her really excited about the potential of Mishe Bear,” Horowitz said. “She loved the idea of a business that could make an impact on other people’s healing.”

After sending her aunt a bear, Horowitz fleshed out the idea for a Mishe Bear startup with Singer. At the height of the pandemic, the young entrepreneurs went to Penn Hillel for advice. 

Hillel professionals helped them navigate the start-up process, including brainstorming, networking, and proofreading. They were also instrumental in answering Jewish questions, especially Rabbi Gabe Greenberg, who serves as the executive director of Penn Hillel.

Rabbi Greenberg said Penn Hillel served as an incubator, allowing the students to connect and get exposure to Jewish ideas.

“Audrey and Aden are leaders who will create and run with their own ideas in a supportive Jewish ecosystem with help from staff,” Rabbi Greenberg said. “Our role is to help students figure out what they want and how we can support them.”

Singer and Horowitz share an entrepreneurial spirit, something they discovered they had in common while serving on the student board of Penn Hillel in 2021. Horowitz was vice president of marketing, and Singer was vice president of social affairs. 

“We wouldn’t have even met if it weren’t for Hillel,” Singer said. “We’ve really leaned on Hillel for support. Aden and I credit Hillel with everything that has come out of this company.”

In January 2022, Horowitz and Singer used their bat mitzvah money to launch the company.

So far, Mishe Bear has sold approximately 125 bears, helping each customer share healing prayers from a distance.

Mira Potter-Schwartz, 21, sent her grandfather a Mishe Bear as he recovered from heart surgery miles away. Potter-Schwartz, a senior majoring in economics at Penn, also included a personal note with comforting words.

Reciting the “Mi Sheberach” has been a part of her life since she was a child. Sending the Mishe Bear to her grandfather was extra special because the message touched on her family’s traditions, Potter-Schwartz said. 

“He absolutely loved it,” Potter-Schwartz said. “He wrote to me in an email that it brought tears to his eyes and has a special place under his pillow.”

The value of Mishe Bear reaches far beyond the hundreds of customizable bears awaiting their recipients. The company donates 10% of its profits to Jewish organizations, including Penn Hillel, Northeastern Hillel, Federation Early Learning Services (a Philadelphia-based childhood education program), and Sharsheret (a nonprofit that supports Jewish women diagnosed with breast cancer and ovarian cancer).  

Horowitz said one of the most rewarding parts of Mishe Bear is being able to give back to Jewish organizations that have supported them during childhood and adulthood. 

“It just feels very full circle,” Singer said. 

Singer and Horowitz said Mishe Bear is just starting to make an impact. There’s more to be done.  

The entrepreneurs see two main avenues for growth: strengthening the charitable impact through more partnerships with Jewish organizations and creating additional products that inspire healing. 

“It’s not too gushy,” Horowitz said. “A Mishe Bear is perfectly appropriate for anybody, anytime, in need of any type of healing.”

Alexandra Goldberg is a sophomore at University of California, Santa Barbara.

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News

Hillels around the world celebrate Good Deeds Day

Author

Emma Lichtenstein

Date

April 21, 2022

The post Hillels around the world celebrate Good Deeds Day appeared first on Hillel International.

News

No student should feel unwelcome at our Hillel because it’s not accessible.

Author

Gabriel Lesser

Date

March 1, 2022

Hillels across the country spearheaded new initiatives to make their spaces more inclusive this Jewish Disability, Awareness, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). Every February, Hillel observes JDAIM to amplify the voices of Jewish people with disabilities and spread awareness in the Jewish community.

Naomi Hess, a senior majoring in public policy at Princeton University, has been hosting JDAIM events at Princeton Hillel since her freshman year. 

“We already had all sorts of amazing intersectional Shabbat events here on campus,” Hess said. “I wanted to make sure that people knew about the intersection between Judaism and students with disabilities.” 

Hess, who has muscular dystrophy, is continuing to spread disability awareness alongside a Hillel committee that reaches out to speakers and helps bring the events to fruition.

Katie Heinzer, a senior studying Slavic languages and literature at Princeton, has helped facilitate JDAIM events at Princeton Hillel. Heinzer moderated an event last year with Judy Heumann, an internationally recognized Jewish disability rights activist. 

“It was a really good opportunity for the Princeton campus to realize how important the intersection is between disability advocacy and Jewish life,” Heinzer said. “This year, I’m really excited to host more events regarding accessibility, and to have another speaker speak to our campus.”

To help advance the intersection between disability advocacy and Jewish life, students at American University Hillel partnered with Repair the World, a social justice organization that helps Jewish students get involved in service projects. For their project, American University Hillel students worked with the Center of Jewish Education in Baltimore to learn how to caption videos to increase accessibility for the deaf Jewish community.

“The students are training to caption videos, so that even after the training ends, they can continue to use their skills for more service work as long as it’s needed, which is really exciting,” said Sarah Bernstein, a Hillel International Springboard Fellow at American University.

Not only are students assisting with accessibility in virtual formats, Hillels have also made changes to improve physical accessibility. 

At University of Minnesota Hillel, the building recently underwent an 11-month renovation to install a new elevator, multiple ramps for entryways, more accessible bathrooms, and wider doors.

“During the process, there was a lot of discussion. Why put in an elevator? Why spend that much money when you may have one or two students who need it?” said Benji Kaplan, executive director of Minnesota Hillel. “And our answer was: No student should feel unwelcome at our Hillel because it’s not accessible.”

In addition to programming on Hillel campuses during JDAIM, Hillel@Home also hosted a series of online events.

One of these events was a conversation with Chella Man, who talked about his experience balancing his identities as a trans, deaf, Jewish, and Chinese-American man. Man is also speaking at Princeton this month to continue spreading disability awareness and inclusion.

Rabbi Ira Dounn, a senior Jewish educator at Princeton Hillel, feels inspired by his students, many of whom are champions for inclusion all year round. 

“During Yom Kippur services last year, one of the aliyot I had was for Naomi Hess and her advocacy for disability rights,” Dounn said. “And I said, ‘Please stand in spirit or body to support the cause.’ The entire room stood up, which was truly beautiful.”

Hess said Hillel is an inclusive space where everyone is willing to learn. 

“Rabbi Ira started this tradition of saying, ‘Please stand if you’re able,” Hess said. “And this is just a really small, linguistic change. But it shows that he and Princeton Hillel are absolutely thinking about people whose experiences are different from the norm, which means a lot to me.”

Gabriel Lesser is a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University.

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Antisemitism

Diversity and Inclusion

Hillel Leadership

LGBTQIA+

Social Justice

Grappling with the Complexities of Black, Queer and Jewish

Author

Hillel International

Date

April 22, 2021

The post Grappling with the Complexities of Black, Queer and Jewish appeared first on Hillel International.