Check out these articles featuring SF Hillel!
Technical challenge, long lines, club rush mark SFSU’s first day back
Roger Feigelson is the executive director of The San Francisco Hillel, a student organization that connects people from Jewish backgrounds that was also tabling on the Quad.
“We provide social opportunities to celebrate holidays, have Shabbat dinner, bagel brunches, and we have some Jewish learning fellowships so they can learn about different things we have going on during the year,” Feigelson said.
Click here to read the full article.
“We provide social opportunities to celebrate holidays, have Shabbat dinner, bagel brunches, and we have some Jewish learning fellowships so they can learn about different things we have going on during the year,” Feigelson said.
Click here to read the full article.
Some Jewish college students face a more basic problem than antisemitism: hunger
As I enter my sixth month as executive director of San Francisco Hillel, I think back to my second week here, when I experienced what is all too common on the campus of San Francisco State University — antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiment. That problem is one of our main areas of concern at S.F. Hillel, but it is not the only challenge for the graduate and undergraduate students we serve at S.F. State, University of San Francisco, UCSF and other schools.
Many of our students have trouble meeting their basic needs, some struggling with food insecurity and even homelessness.
Click here to read the full article.
Many of our students have trouble meeting their basic needs, some struggling with food insecurity and even homelessness.
Click here to read the full article.
Even in crisis, Israel at 75 deserves celebration, local planners say
In the middle of an unprecedented political crisis in Israel, is it OK for Bay Area Jews to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Jewish state? The answer, in short, is yes.
San Francisco Hillel is another partner for Israel@75. Roger Feigelson, the recently installed executive director, is glad his Hillel will take part. But based on conversations with Jewish students, he said that Israel’s judiciary crisis isn’t a top issue for them. “For a lot of the students, Israel is kind of a distant subject,” he said. “Part of our mission is to educate them on Israel. … I’m glad we can celebrate this.”
Click here to read the full article.
San Francisco Hillel is another partner for Israel@75. Roger Feigelson, the recently installed executive director, is glad his Hillel will take part. But based on conversations with Jewish students, he said that Israel’s judiciary crisis isn’t a top issue for them. “For a lot of the students, Israel is kind of a distant subject,” he said. “Part of our mission is to educate them on Israel. … I’m glad we can celebrate this.”
Click here to read the full article.
Hillel at 100: Meeting students at different points along their Jewish journeys
Hillel—the largest and most inclusive Jewish campus organization in the world—celebrates its centennial in 2023. As we like to say, there are many ways to be Jewish, do Jewish, and feel Jewish. Koret funding supports diverse programming at seven Hillels in our region, as well as helping to attract and retain forward-thinking professional staff—who in turn develop programs and student mentorship opportunities that support the particular needs of their respective communities.
SF Hillel is a multi-campus organization, serving several schools across the city. Design Tribe is SF Hillel’s leadership development program, a vehicle for deep engagement with Jewish students across San Francisco. “Each Design Tribe student leader is paired with a mentor from our professional team, who invests in them through professional development, growth coaching, and mentorship, customized to each student based on their needs and interests.” Click here to read the full article.
SF Hillel is a multi-campus organization, serving several schools across the city. Design Tribe is SF Hillel’s leadership development program, a vehicle for deep engagement with Jewish students across San Francisco. “Each Design Tribe student leader is paired with a mentor from our professional team, who invests in them through professional development, growth coaching, and mentorship, customized to each student based on their needs and interests.” Click here to read the full article.
‘Antisemitic statements’ at S.F. State meeting prompt university response
San Francisco State University issued a letter sharing “a deep sense of concern” after a student made “antisemitic statements” during an event planning meeting earlier this month, the university said.
In the latest flare-up surrounding Jewish inclusion and anti-Israel animosity at the state university, an unnamed student, speaking at the March 9 meeting, reportedly called Hillel an “extremist” group and said they would not work with the campus organization. Click here to read the full article.
In the latest flare-up surrounding Jewish inclusion and anti-Israel animosity at the state university, an unnamed student, speaking at the March 9 meeting, reportedly called Hillel an “extremist” group and said they would not work with the campus organization. Click here to read the full article.
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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Other great reads about Hillel's impact
The case for more Hillel graduate networks and professionals - EJP
Data shows that graduate students have high rates of depression and anxiety. Poor mental health is widely accepted as a fact of life in graduate education. Graduate networks can, and do, work to change that by providing robust Jewish life opportunities, community, networking, and so much added value at a level where there is no institutional hand-holding. Unlike undergraduates, who have hundreds of student clubs from which to choose and myriad ways to get involved on campus, graduate students have limited opportunities and resources. A campus graduate network and professional can provide a nurturing outlet to assuage the sense of loneliness and sadness many experience. Moreover, through the pandemic when schooling is primarily online, opportunities for socialization and connection are even further limited. This circumstance only increases the likelihood of graduate students experiencing depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Hillel graduate networks in Philadelphia, New York, Seattle, Boston, and others are adapting to provide desperately needed community by hosting virtual gatherings, sending care packages, and even conducting Zoom coffee dates. Click here to read more.
