Coronavirus Stories: Hillel Edition | Jordan from Mozambique & South Africa

j

Wendy McCreary, Campus Director at Hillel CSUSM, was thrilled to really ‘be there’ for an international Hillel student as he hurriedly flew home to Mozambique.

CSUSM Hillel student Jordan is from Mozambique and chose a four-year college program at CSUSM partly because he has an aunt in San Diego.

Wendy was especially worried about Jordan knowing he is an international student with very little support nearby. She checked in on him regularly as campus closure and travel information was constantly changing.

He seemed to have plans in order, but then the dorms were set to close. He decided to go home to Mozambique and had about half a week to prepare. When Jordan’s flight was canceled he booked another flight – now he had 3 days to prepare. That flight was canceled and his only option was less than 24 hours away so just a day to prepare!

His biggest stress was what to take and what and where to leave what he was going to leave. I allowed him to store some things at Hillel and assisted him with the move.

Wendy texted Jordan two hours before his flight to say, “Safe travels home.” Jordan, whose family is originally from South Africa, responded: “Thank you! I seriously am so extremely grateful for your generosity. I do not know what I would have done! Thank you!”

Other Stories From Hillel

Incident at Hillel of San Diego Today

January 6, 2026

Hope you are having a great start to your 2026. At Hillel of San Diego, our highest priority is, and will always be, the safety of Jewish students.

Over the past few months, an individual repeatedly harassed Hillel San Diego, prompting us to obtain a restraining order. Today, that individual attempted to break into our Melvin Garb Hillel Center and left an unidentified package.

You Made it Possible. Now We Must Sustain it.

December 21, 2025

Over the past five years, and especially since October 7th, this community has shown up in extraordinary ways. Your leadership made it possible for Hillel of San Diego to respond immediately and decisively in moments of crisis, expanding support, strengthening safety, and meeting students in their most vulnerable moments. Thank G-d you did. Because of you, students know exactly where to turn — and they know they will not be turned away.

Why Hillel of San Diego Matters Right Now

December 19, 2025

As we enter the final days of Hillel of San Diego’s year-end efforts to raise $500,000 by December 31, our family is proud to stand with this community and publicly join this effort to strengthen Jewish life on San Diego’s campuses. We do so while holding two truths at once. We are celebrating the light and resilience of Hanukkah, even as we grieve the tragedies and violence that have shaken Jewish communities in recent days. Joy and heartbreak coexist. For Jewish students, that tension is not abstract but rather something they are navigating every day on campus

Scroll to Top