Shabbat at Hillel

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Shabbat at Hillel is something everyone should experience. There is a palpable spark of energy. It’s a magic you can’t really describe but you can 100% feel. This year, after over a year of virtual Shabbats, the feeling is even more special. Holy really. It’s recharging and energizing – a great end to a hectic week and an important reminder that we are each part of something bigger.

This year, we are feeding around 500 students meals at our Shabbats each month. That’s 500 moments with hungry young people whose only opportunity for a home cooked meal might be when they come to Hillel on a Friday night. That’s 500 moments young people who discover they aren’t alone. That’s 500 moments with young people who will be our future Jewish community leaders. It’s the one day a week where every single student is reminded of their inherent value and can just come as they are.

Per usual, this week we are hosting THREE SHABBATS across San Diego. At San Diego State we are hosting an allyship Shabbat in partnership with the Black Resource Center and Asian Pacific Islander American Resource Center. At UCSD we are celebrating diversity within the Jewish community through a Mizrahi Shabbat. At USD, we are hosting a Shabbat that celebrates each student’s unique experience. And while there is no Shabbat this week at CSUSM, we will see our San Marcos students join their friends at other campuses (don’t worry they have some awesome experiences just for them coming up!). At Hillel of San Diego, we reach students across the entire city — it’s a big operation and we love it!

As we enter Thanksgiving, we want to express so much gratitude to this wonderful community that embraces our young people and recognizes the value in investing in their future. We want to invite each of you to come to a Hillel Shabbat this year, feel the holiness that you fuel through your generosity, and get a taste of home away from home at Hillel. I want you to feel that palpable spark of energy that comes from doing so much good for others.

 

Other Stories From Hillel

What do Bad Bunny and Bret Stephens have in common?

February 13, 2026

A few weeks ago, a student leader, Osher, came bopping into the office with a bold idea. What if we hosted a Shabbat dance party and got everyone from all the campuses to come together?

Did you know? Kind of a big deal!

January 29, 2026

Hillel of San Diego fuels our community’s leadership pipeline. I want to introduce you to Maya. If you’ve come to a Hillel event, you’ve probably seen her bustling around making sure everything runs smoothly. She’s our classic utility player – capable, smart, takes initiative, and eager to grow. A gift to any organization.

An Update on the Incident at Hillel of San Diego

January 16, 2026

I want to share a quick update on the incident that happened at Hillel of San Diego last week. But, before that, I want to thank you for showing up for us during this time. I received so many messages of concern and support. It meant the world to me, our team, and our students to know that the community was standing in solidarity with us.

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