Welcome to 2024! As we launch into the second half of our year, we continue to be hyper-focused on supporting students. This is done through a multitude of strategies.

First and foremost, we focus on imbuing pride in being Jewish. That looks like joyful shabbats, social bonfires, opportunities for lots of laughing…and lots of good food. Programs of joy are possible BECAUSE you support Hillel. Your generosity funds their joy.

Second, we focus on empowering Jewish student leadership. A great example of this is a student initiative memorial honoring the victims of October 7th. A few weeks ago, students came to Hillel with an idea to plant a tree at Hillel in honor of the victims of the October 7th terrorist attack. When it comes to our student leaders- the response is rarely “NO.” The response is, “Let’s make it happen.” They worked with Hillel staff, our landscapers, and other students to create a meaningful tribute. This is remarkable for a couple of reasons- it shows how students are taking ownership of their own Jewish experience. It shows students creating a physical legacy around their Jewish pride. And, it shows how students see Hillel as their Jewish home. Saying “yes” to students is possible BECAUSE you support Hillel. Your support funds their vision.

Third, we focus on making the campus culture better for Jewish students. This includes convening faculty and staff, working with administrators, and creating meaningful and effective educational experiences. Next week, Hillel of San Diego is bringing Sharaka to UCSD and SDSU to speak with students, faculty, and staff. We’ve partnered with several departments and cultural centers on both campuses to ensure the program reaches a broad audience. The Sharaka delegation will explore nuances around the region’s geopolitics and ways to get to peace, focusing on depolarizing the conversation. It’s a topic that will help lower the temperature on campus. Effective speakers like this are possible BECAUSE you support Hillel. Your gifts fund speakers like this.

AND because Sharaka is coming to our campuses, we wanted to make sure our community had an opportunity to learn from them too, so we’ve partnered with the Jewish Federation of San Diego and Congregation Beth Am to do just that. I encourage you to join us on Tuesday, January 16th, at 7:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth Am for a discussion with Sharaka. You can register here- www.hillelsd.org/sharaka.

Looking forward to learning together with you and to supporting Jewish students in the new year!