An Early Hanukkah at Hillel

Even though students would be on break during Hanukkah, we couldn’t resist transforming our last campus Shabbat programs of the semester into one huge Hanukkah party!

We brought the sights, sounds and – most important – tastes of Hanukkah to Hillel early with latkes, jelly donuts, menorah making and dreidel scratchers, and the students had an absolute blast. Hanukkah is such a joyous holiday all about spreading light onto others,, and this was the best way to put a cap on a fun-filled semester.

Hillel also participated in the holiday display at USD with a large poster explaining Hanukkah, dreidels, gelt and a Chanukiah-all of which was displayed publicly throughout all of December.

Other Stories From Hillel

Heart of Hillel: Meet Kira

November 21, 2025

Kira’s Hillel story began as an undergraduate at USD, where she was one of only four Jewish students on campus. For Kira, there were no Shabbat dinners. No immersive Jewish learning. No visible Jewish community.

Heart of Hillel: Meet Sonia

November 14, 2025

Sonia is a retired UCSD faculty member and a proud parent of Triton and Torero alumni. She didn’t have Hillel when she was in college, but she made sure her children did. And once she saw the impact Hillel had on them, she jumped in with both feet, eventually joining the Hillel of San Diego Board of Directors.

Heart of Hillel: Brad & Karen

November 6, 2025

Brad and Karen’s story is one of legacy, family, and deep belief in the power of Jewish community.

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