“Dos pintele yid, ‘that little point of a Jew,’ refers to that spark of Jewishness in each of us that we can’t quite manage to ignore, no matter how hard we may try,” writes Sarah Hurwitz.

Dos pintele yid has been on our minds at Hillel every day, especially now. Our organization has radically expanded after October 7th. This is not a crisis. This is the new normal, and what it means to be Jewish on campus has also changed.

“Through Hillel, I found a Jewish community of people my age where real connection came naturally—and where friendships felt deep, genuine, and lasting.” – Ava, USD Class of 2025

Everything is different. Everything is the same. As we enter a holiday that reminds us to look to Jerusalem, welcome the stranger, and remember our heritage, one can’t help but think how this year feels different, especially on campus. Yet Hillel of San Diego is a constant—deeply committed to supporting Jewish life for our collective future. And so, I invite us to think about a new set of four questions for our Hillel Passover this year.