Connecting Harvard to Israel – welcoming Michal Arhipkin

Dear fellow members of Harvard’s Jewish community,

At Harvard Hillel, we want students’ relationships with Israel to be personal, thoughtful, and rooted in real relationships. That means creating space for curiosity, conversation, learning, and the many different ways students connect with Israel.

I’m so excited to welcome Michal Arhipkin as our new Israel Fellow.

Michal brings a deep connection to her Jewish and Israeli identity, along with a real desire to listen, learn, and share her own story. She is warm, empathetic, and genuinely curious about others, and has a natural ability to connect with people from many different backgrounds and experiences.

Whether you’re grabbing coffee with Michal, practicing your Hebrew, or learning more about Israel with her, I hope students will come to know Israel through the stories, experiences, and perspectives she brings with her.

I’m thrilled to have Michal on our team and can’t wait for our community to get to know her!

Dear new Harvard Hillel friends,

Hi, I’m Michal Arhipkin, Harvard Hillel’s new Israel Fellow. I grew up in Karmiel, a small town in the Galilee in northern Israel. For the past four years, I lived in Tel Aviv while studying psychology at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo.

Before coming to Cambridge, I worked as a rehabilitation counselor, supporting individuals with mental health difficulties as they worked toward greater independence and integration into their communities. This experience taught me the importance of building trust, listening to people’s needs, and recognizing their strengths. Before my degree, I also worked as a special needs counselor at a summer camp, where I learned how to create an inclusive environment and adapt to each person’s needs. Both experiences shaped the way I approach community, connection, and support.

I speak Hebrew, English, and Russian. At Hillel, I hope to be someone students feel comfortable turning to, whether they want to talk, ask questions, try something new, or simply spend time with others. I’m excited to build relationships and help create a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and welcome. Outside of Hillel, I enjoy cooking, getting lost in a good book, and writing. I love the creativity and curiosity these activities bring into my life, and I hope to bring that same spirit to Hillel.

With gratitude and excitement,