Recharging My Commitment to Israel at the Israel Leadership Network Shabbaton
In my second year at Muhlenberg College, I became the Israel leadership co-chair at Muhlenberg Hillel. From the beginning, Hillel International’s Israel Leadership Network (ILN) was an important resource for me—a place I could look to for event ideas, strategies, and accurate information. When I was invited to the White House last year to speak with Douglas Emhoff, the Second Gentleman, about my grandmother’s experience in the Holocaust and my own experience on campus, ILN resources helped me prepare for the event. The Israel Leadership Network continues to be instrumental in my growth as a Jewish student leader.
The recent ILN Executive Shabbaton in Denver was inspiring and uplifting and deepened my connection with other students who are passionate about Israel. The 36 hours we spent learning and sharing experiences were a much-needed boost after a difficult year.
One of the central conversations throughout the Shabbaton was how to develop strategies for sharing informational and training resources across all of our campuses. Many of us know students who want to speak up and share their perspectives on Israel and Judaism, but they feel isolated, confused, and pressured from other students and professors to hide their beliefs. In sharing that experience, we reaffirmed that one of ILN’s critical roles is to provide facts about Israel and antisemitism as well as moral support to students around the country to empower them to speak up for their beliefs.
Throughout our Shabbat together, I appreciated the open exchange of ideas and the shared values that I found time and again. These discussions led to a concrete mission statement and set of goals for ILN, which will inform our work over the coming academic year.
Another deeply meaningful moment for me took place during our Shabbat prayers. While I wear a hostage necklace and a yellow ribbon every day, I often feel like I am alone in my effort to keep the hostages at the forefront of my mind. Spending Shabbat in Denver was particularly meaningful, as I knew everyone in the room shared a connection and commitment to the people being held hostage in inhumane conditions in Gaza. Before we said Shabbat prayers, we each had a chance to choose a printed photo of someone being held hostage. Throughout Shabbat, we prayed for their return in the hopes that they, too, can enjoy Shabbat with family and friends again—a Shabbat that is long overdue.
Since October 7, 2023, my college experience has been colored by antisemitism, events in Israel, and my efforts to speak up for Israel and Jewish students on my campus. At times, this fight is empowering, but it can also be lonely and stressful. It means a tremendous amount to me to know that there are organizations, like Hillel International and the Israel Leadership Network, that believe in student leaders like me, and bring us together to amplify and connect the work we do.
Leah Kressel is a junior at Muhlenberg College, where she is double majoring in Psychology and Jewish Studies. She is passionate about Israel advocacy and education, has been a leader in many Zionist activities on campus, and currently serves as the Small Campus Trustee in the Israel Leadership Network.