Connecting Harvard to Israel – welcoming Michal Arhipkin
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.
Jewish students deserve great mentors – Rabbi Elisha’s new role
We are committed to every Jewish student at Harvard having access to wise, compassionate, inspiring, and available Jewish mentors... there is no more distinctive or significant expression of that commitment than Rabbi Elisha Gechter taking on responsibility, for the spiritual welfare of our students and our student community, as Harvard Hillel’s inaugural Senior Director of Rabbinic Engagement.
Reaching out to every Jewish student – welcoming Elle Cutler
I am beyond thrilled to join the community at Harvard Hillel and to begin hosting events and interactive activities that will cultivate meaning and belonging for the Jewish student body. I’m especially looking forward to getting to know students, providing information on Harvard Birthright Israel trips, and supporting student leaders in bringing a vibrancy to Jewish life here.
Today is the day: watch, and give
Before anything and everything else, I invite you to take 3 minutes - and watch this video. If you care about, and especially if you are worried about, the Jewish future - you’ll be glad you did:
WATCH: Why they call Harvard Hillel home
Nathan Gershengorn ‘26 was the president of Harvard Hillel’s student board in October of 2023. He describes carrying Harvard Hillel through the months after October 7th as the hardest thing he's ever done – and the thing he’s proudest of. Miriam Goldberger ‘28 is our current student president, and her friends joke that if they can't find her anywhere else, she'll be at Hillel. It's been her home since the day she arrived.
WATCH: Welcoming the Class of 2030
This past April during Visitas, our students welcomed admitted members of the Class of 2030 to Harvard Hillel. They ran events, answered questions over piles of bagels, and showed these prospective students what Jewish life here actually looks like. We put together a recap of this year’s Visitas events for you:
Help us welcome the Class of 2030
...what we are building with and for Jewish students at Harvard [is] a place where we travel together, knowing that others have our back, and that we will be called on to aid one another - and will answer that call when it comes.
VIDEO: Yom Ha’atzmaut at Harvard
A few weeks ago, on an overcast April afternoon, Harvard Hillel and Harvard Chabad joined forces for an exuberant Yom Ha’atzmaut BBQ blowout, filled with Israeli music, brisket, falafel, and students taking turns sending each other into a dunk tank.
Our Most Successful Giving Week Ever
When we launched Hillel Global Giving Week a week ago, we set an ambitious goal: $100,000 to support Jewish life at Harvard. By midweek, thanks to so many of you, we were well on our way. When all was said and done, we had not only reached that goal but surpassed our $125,000 stretch goal, raising a total of $136,174, and making this the most successful Hillel Global Giving Week in Harvard Hillel's history.