Hillel International Global Assembly 2024 Celebrates Jewish Belonging on Campus
On Monday night, the annual Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA) kicked off with a message of belonging and community.
“This is a time for kehilla, for community,” said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International to the largest ever gathering of Hillel professionals, sponsors, and stakeholders. “[It is] a time for us to enrich and expand the inclusive Jewish communities on campus that only we can foster, enabling our students to make the leap from coffee dates to community, and from becoming to belonging.”
Drawing together the themes of tikkun (repair), kehillah (community), and chizuk (strength), Lehman spoke about the holistic work that Hillel does in supporting Jewish students.
Over the course of the night, Lehman was joined by HIGA Co-Chair Jonah Zinn, executive director of University of Florida Hillel, and an incredible lineup of speakers, performers, and panelists, all united in a single goal: Kicking off the tenth annual HIGA with high energy, passionate commitment to Jewish college students, and the vast potential of their Jewish futures, and a dedication to Hillel’s mission.
In addition to the Hillel House Band, which performed rousing renditions of songs like “Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu,” “Oseh Shalom,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and an original song to the theme of belonging, participants were also treated to a special performance by DJ Yonatan Cohen, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival massacre. And Israeli actress Gal Gadot addressed the crowd, delivering a video message thanking attendees for their critical work.
“You’re not just supporting a community,” she said. “You’re transforming lives.”
Integral to the way Hillel improves students’ lives are the “superpowers” of its staff, an idea that came up throughout the evening. The energy in the room was good-humored and playful, and included a special guest appearance of a Superman action figure and a singalong to “Sweet Caroline” in honor of Boston, HIGA’s hosting city. The program also highlighted the roles that Hillel staff take on as Super Educators, Super Mentors, Super Advocates, Super Experience Creators, and more, which can’t be underestimated — and neither can their impact on the students they serve.
“Each of you has built that enduring connection for our students that binds them to each other, and to the global Jewish community,” said Matthew Bronfman, chair of Hillel International’s board of governors. “You have created spaces for them to not only feel sorrow, but to express their joy — and you have inspired them to be resilient and courageous in the face of many challenges, ensuring every student fulfills Hillel’s vision of making an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel.”
Lee Dranikoff, chair of the Hillel board of directors expanded on this theme and said, “Hillel has a crucial role to play. We are the glue that’s going to hold our community together. It’s a lot to ask. And no one else can do it. It has to be us.”
With nearly 80% of Jewish college students saying that Hillel is more important than ever, it’s clear the organization’s work continues to make a profound difference in the lives of Jewish college students. Abi Schcolnik (University of Miami ‘25) and Zachary Patterson (Duke University ‘26), co-chairs of the Hillel International Student Cabinet, shared the impact Hillel has had on them, especially in the past year.
“Since October 7, Hillel means more to me than ever,” Schcolnik said. “It’s a space where I can truly be myself and know that I am supported in every way — something that no other place on campus can provide.”
Patterson agreed. “There are thousands upon thousands of students just like us, who because of you all, feel a little bit braver walking onto campus every morning, and know that their Judaism doesn’t have to be an insecurity but what makes us who we are,” he said.
In addition to Hillel’s student, professional, and lay leadership, the evening also included a special panel discussion, entitled “Building Hope and Belonging through Spiritual Leadership.” Moderated by Rabbi Marc Baker, CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and featuring Rabbi Gil Steinlauf, executive director of Princeton University Hillel, Rabbi Jessica Lott, campus rabbi at Northwestern University Hillel, and Rabbi Rebecca Blady, executive director of Hillel Deutschland, the panel explored the importance of rooting ourselves in Jewish learning and values to achieve the goals of Jewish belonging, joyful Jewish community, and Jewish leadership.
Read more about HIGA 2024 and some of the Hillel superheroes who won awards for their exemplary work!