Thanks for helping Samantha!

Samantha-story

I told our Israel Fellow that I wanted to be able to do everything I could to support Israel. I ran full force into this place when I learned about all the ways I could do this through Hillel!

The next thing I knew, I was on the SDSU October 7th Memorial planning team, which meant so much to me. Being a part of the October 7th planning meant I got to meet and really know the other student leaders. It made me feel connected. I also made my best friends through that experience! I now come to Hillel every single day.”

Sam first heard about Hillel through her mom, who had attended Hillel at Long Beach State. Sam called her after the Fall Welcome Back BBQ to tell her that hundreds of students were there that night. Hillel is THE place to go for Jewish students.

Sam’s family knows that she’s safe and cared for. Recently, there was a fire near SDSU. Luckily, Sam wasn’t at her apartment, but the window in her room had been left open, and there was smoke damage. Sam couldn’t stay there.

“The Hillel staff were there for me! I could have driven home to L.A. but they found me a safe, comfortable, and welcoming place to stay with an amazing family! The family texted me a week later to check on me. It was such a special experience!

Hillel is my home now. I’m always welcome here. The Hillel staff make me feel like they always have my back. It feels so good to know that Hillel is there to support and guide me.”

There are only a few hours left to have your gift matched by our Hillel current and past board presidents. ACT NOW! Don’t wait!

P.S. You can unlock additional funds to support Jewish college students by pledging now and sending your gift by check, through your donor-advised fund, a QCD from your IRA account, or by gifting stock. Hillel of San Diego’s Tax ID# is 33-0519225, and our office address is 5717 Lindo Paseo, San Diego, CA 92115. Please contact me at lkalal@hillelsd.org or 619-764-5992 with any questions.

Other Stories From Hillel

Not Our Grandparents’ Hillel

December 17, 2025

When we were children, our grandparents posed a simple but enduring question: If the Jewish people don’t take care of the Jewish people, who will? That question inspired our parents to lead and to give, and today, as third-generation Hillel supporters, it sits squarely before us.

A Proud Night for Hillel of San Diego

December 16, 2025

Hillel of San Diego and its CEO, Karen Parry, were honored with multiple excellence awards at Hillel International’s 2025 Global Assembly (HIGA) in Boston this week, earning recognition among a global network of 850 Hillels. The awards were presented by Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, during its annual conference which brought together more than 1,200 campus leaders, supporters, and sponsors from around the world to celebrate leadership, innovation, and commitment to Jewish life.

We’re standing with Bryan, Sheava, and Hillel

December 10, 2025

On Monday, you heard from our son Bryan and his wife Sheava about why they support Hillel of San Diego and why they are committed to helping raise $500,000 for Jewish college students by December 31, the first $50,000 of which will be matched, dollar-for-dollar. Their message of why this moment matters and why supporting our young adults is so urgent reminded us of the responsibility we all share to lift up this next generation. That is why we are joining them in this effort.

Scroll to Top