Israel

Hillel organizes events that celebrate Israeli history and culture, as well as those that show support for Israel. Hillel’s mission statement states that “Harvard Hillel will foster dialogue with Israel to define the Jewish future.” With this in mind, especially in difficult times for Israel, such as these, there are a number of avenues for engaging in a relationship with Israel through Hillel and on the Harvard campus. In many of these areas, Hillel works together with a number of affiliated groups including Harvard Students for Israel and the Progressive Jewish Alliance.

Travel to Israel

Hillel-sponsored travel to Israel include bi-annual trips with Taglit-Birthright Israel (during December break and at the end of the Spring Semester) and an annual trip during December break with the Netivot Israel Leadership Initiative (NILI). For more information on these trips, please contact Gabi Soble (gabi@hillel.harvard.edu) about Taglit - Birthright Israel and Michael Simon (michael@hillel.harvard.edu) about the Netivot Israel Leadership Initiative (NILI). 

Education

Classes, seminars, speakers and other educational forums at Hillel provide many different opportunities for students to learn about the history of Israel, Zionism and the Israeli-Arab conflict.  For info about Israel related education programs, contact Associate Director Michael Simon (michael@hillel.harvard.edu) or VP of Education Rachel Levy (rlevy@fas).

Dialogue

The Jewish community is home to an incredible diversity of viewpoints on Israel; the Harvard community takes this diversity to another level. Hillel helps to create opportunities for safe dialogue about the situation in the Middle East within the Jewish community and within the larger Harvard community. For info about Arab-Jewish Dialogue, contact Director of Student Activities, Gabi Soble (gabi@hillel.harvard.edu). 

Celebration

Throughout the year, there are many opportunities to celebrate Israeli culture and history through Hillel, with events like the Israel Fest and Yom Ha'atzmaut festivities. See our online calendar for dates of upcoming events.

Advocacy

Hillel and Harvard Students for Israel have organized rallies and other gatherings to demonstrate support for Israel in its time of difficulty and have joined together with the larger Jewish community. Hillel will be working to support interested students in effectively advocating for Israel on campus and in general. For more info on Israel Advocacy, contact Harvard Students for Israel President Matt Cohen (cohen5@fas) or Associate Director Michael Simon (michael@hillel.harvard.edu).