SF Hillel in the News
Survey: At S.F. State, many Jewish students hide their identity
San Francisco State University has announced a plan to address antisemitism after a recent survey revealed that 65% of Jewish students feel at least some need to hide their Jewish identity on campus.
The survey results were part of the university’s Campus Climate Assessment Report, a 34-page evaluation of SFSU’s campus environment released Oct. 28. The survey also found that 11% of Jewish student respondents experienced antisemitism at least occasionally, while 44% feel they are blamed for the actions of the Israeli government.
The report and recommendations for changes come after years of conflict and controversy at the university, two lawsuits and charges of “institutional antisemitism.” Click here to read the full article.
The survey results were part of the university’s Campus Climate Assessment Report, a 34-page evaluation of SFSU’s campus environment released Oct. 28. The survey also found that 11% of Jewish student respondents experienced antisemitism at least occasionally, while 44% feel they are blamed for the actions of the Israeli government.
The report and recommendations for changes come after years of conflict and controversy at the university, two lawsuits and charges of “institutional antisemitism.” Click here to read the full article.
San Francisco State University Announces Action Plan to Address Antisemitism on Campus
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In partnership with San Francisco Hillel and Hillel International, San Francisco State University released the findings of its year-long Jewish Campus Climate initiative outlining institutional context, campus climate assessment findings, and key action steps to combat antisemitism and cultivate belonging for Jewish students.
Read SF Hillel's press release here. Read the university's findings here. |
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Paul Cohen, 74, LGBTQ advocate and giant in Jewish community
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...Another of his passions was Hillel, serving as the Northern California director of campus advancement for Hillel International. He also sat on the board of S.F. Hillel. Its executive director, Rachel Nilson Ralston, said Cohen “transformed our organization — locally and nationally — for the better.”
“Paul understood that Hillel is an on-ramp for Jewish adult involvement and is often the last chance we have to instill pride and foster belonging,” Ralston added. “He generously lent his leadership, passion and resources to ensure we made a difference in so many arenas, on multiple campuses.” In 2017, when Cohen was honored at a Hillel gala, he told J., “Each of us has the opportunity to nurture and mentor — whether children of our own, co-workers, or people we come across through organizational relationships. This is one of the greatest gifts we have to offer.” Click here to read the article. |
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SF Hillel student leaders & staff show their pride through #OwnYourStar
This past October, Hillel International asked the world to take a stand alongside Jewish college students who are experiencing unprecedented levels of antisemitism on campus and online. We've been absolutely floored by the thousands of pictures and videos posted across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok using the hashtag #OwnYourStar.
How investing in talent is investing in students - EJP
Investing in people also means ensuring that we can retain them through hard times
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Strategic talent investments made all the difference for Rachel Nilson Ralston, who in March of 2020 became San Francisco Hillel’s executive director after a nine-year Hillel journey—an achievement she says was made possible in large part by the “transformative investments” Hillel made in her and her career over time. These investments ranged from funds to retain and promote her to access to high-level leadership development programs.
By making it possible for her Hillel to nurture her leadership potential at a critical point in her career, Ralston says the talent grants program was the key to her emerging as a leader within the movement, rather than needing to leave it to grow. Now, the leadership experience and skills Ralston built with support from Hillel’s talent grants are benefiting Hillel students across San Francisco. At the campuses she oversees, program innovation has led to a major improvement in identity growth for student participants, a key marker of success in Hillel’s work with college-aged Jews. Click here to read the article. |
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To reach students, S.F. Hillel fundraiser pours a coffee analogy - JWeekly
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It’s been a hectic year for Bay Area Jewish college students.
San Francisco Hillel, which serves hundreds of students on multiple campuses, has stepped up by offering virtual Shabbat programs and other events for stuck-at-home students yearning for connection during the pandemic. And in the middle all the pandemic mishegas, San Francisco State University was caught up in a drama in which Palestinian hijacker and activist Leila Khaled was invited virtually not once but twice to the university. (Both times, tech companies blocked the event from happening.) “Here we are a year later, and believe me, what a year it’s been,” Rick Lenat, S.F. Hillel’s board president, said last week at the organization’s fundraiser, “Activate 2021,” which raised $20,000, according to S.F. Hillel executive director Rachel Nilson Ralston. Click here to read more. |
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S.F. Hillel hosts vigil to counter Khaled event - JWeekly
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Hours after Zoom, Facebook and YouTube deplatformed a San Francisco State University virtual event on Sept. 23 featuring Palestinian hijacker Leila Khaled, the local Hillel chapter hosted a 45-minute vigil for victims of terrorism around the world.
Speakers at the evening vigil included state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, S.F. State president Lynn Mahoney and several Jewish students, some of whom had lit candles behind them. It also featured a prerecorded video of Uri Bar-Lev, the El Al pilot of the 1970 flight that Khaled and an accomplice attempted to hijack as members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The purpose of the vigil, in the words of S.F. State student president and S.F. Hillel member Ocean Noah, was to “protest the use of violence against victims of any background.” It served as a contrasting message to a video shown at the Khaled event, where the former hijacker defended the use of “weapons” to confront Israel. Click here to read more. |
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