Community and Leadership
Hillel is your home away from home.
Come by every day for a hot meal or snacks, a place to study, and friends and staff who are genuinely happy you’re here! Opportunities to get involved are endless and if there is something you want that Hillel currently doesn’t do, we are here to help make it happen!
Looking to get involved? Reach out to Danielle Botvin for UCSD, Jacob Leibowitz for SDSU, and Alexandra Lovgren for USD and CSUSM.
- Email Danielle for UCSD
- Email Jacob for SDSU
- Email Alexandra for USD and CSUSM
Community
6 Weeks of Welcome
- All Campuses
At the start of each school year, each campus hosts various welcome back events such as a big Welcome Back BBQ that brings the whole community together, welcome back Shabbats and more. Events feature music, good food, and good people which make coming back to campus a big celebration! Check out the programs for welcome weeks on our instagrams!
On Campus Weekly Meet ups
SDSU (cold)Brews and Bagels
Every other Tuesday from 11am-1pm at the SDSU Turtle Pond. Fuel up for classes with some cold brew and bagels. Hang out with your besties from Hillel. Nothing is better than starting your day with turtles and your Hillel family!
SDSU Yam's Coffee Corner
Every other Tuesday from 11am-1pm at the Melvin Garb Hillel Center. Inspired by Yam Frid’s (z"l) love for iced coffee, this project preserves and shares the stories of fallen soldiers, making sure they are remembered, celebrated, and never forgotten.
UCSD Yappy Hour with Cecelia
Take a midweek break and join us every Tuesday from 12pm–2pm at Price Center for Yappy Hour with Cecelia! Come hang out with Springboard Fellow, catch up with friends, and enjoy a sweet treat. It’s the perfect chance to relax, connect, and recharge.
USD Tuesday Schmoozeday
Join us Tuesdays outside of Aromas on campus from 12-2pm for bagels or a sweet treat and coffee.
CSUSM Caffeine and Color
Thursdays outside of the University Student Union between 12-2pm. Adult coloring books and coffee- what could be better?
UCSD Kliking with Klil
Take a midweek break and join us every Thursday from 12pm–2pm at Price Center for Kliking with Klil! Come hang out with your Israel Fellow, catch up with friends, and enjoy a sweet treat. It’s the perfect chance to relax, connect, and recharge.
Jewish Student Clubs
- UCSD
Chaverot (Women of Hillel)
If you’ve been searching for the same feeling you got at The Eras Tour - girlhood, excitement, and fun - then Chaverot is for you! Open to all women involved in Hillel, Chaverot is here to help nourish your inner child, create community, and feel the power of sisterhood!
President – Genna Milman
Looking to get involved? Reach out to Cecelia at cashenberg@hillelsd.org.
Chen Movement
Chen movement is the newest way to get fit! Join our President on her journey to becoming a certified Group Fitness/Pilates instructor AND GET PRIZES FOR DOING SO. That’s right! Not only will your body thank you for the workout-you’ll love the competitive nature of our reward system and the sweet (and healthy) treats that come with it!
President- Daniella Baird
Want to join our next class? Reach out to Danielle at dbotvin@hillelsd.org
FYSH (first year and transfer students of Hillel)
New to campus and looking for something to do? Join FYSH - First Year and Transfer Students of Hillel! This student-led club is all about building community, having fun, and making friends and memories that last a lifetime!
President – elections being held Winter Quarter
Looking to join the FYSH Bowl? Reach out to Cecelia at cashenberg@hillelsd.org
Keshet
"The Keshet organization works for the full equality of all LGBTQ+ Jews and their families in Jewish life.” Hillel of San Diego’s newest chapter seeks to create a community for LGBTQ+ Jewish college students at UCSD. We are excited to celebrate folks of all identities in our space! Join us for social activities this quarter!
Presidents- Avi Noah Reddy and Shayna Crasnick
Interested? Reach out at dbotvin@hillelsd.org
Presidents- Avi Noah Reddy and Shayna Crasnick
Interested? Reach out to Danielle at dbotvin@hillelsd.org
PCH (Persian Community at Hillel)
The Persian Community at Hillel creates space to honor the rich history, culture, and traditions that our ancestry offers. This student-led effort is all about coming together — whether you grew up deeply connected to Persian culture or are just beginning to explore it. Everything is shaped by students, for students, with the goal of strengthening Jewish identity, expanding representation, and building a sense of home at Hillel.
President- Jessica Hakimian
Interested? Reach out to Danielle at dbotvin@hillelsd.org
Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM)
Interested in engineering and making a difference in your community? Tikkun Olam Makers has got you covered! This student-led club aims to get any student involved in engineering to use their skills and make change in the San Diego community!
President – Bendavid Maimon
Interested in getting involved? Reach out to Cecelia at cashenberg@hillelsd.org.
Triton Jewish Life (TJL)
Want to bring your ideas to life on campus and get to see your Hillel friends more often? TJL - Triton Jewish Life is right for you! This student-led Jewish social club for sophomores through seniors is here to make that dream a reality, and everything is done for students, by students! (This club has RSO status on campus)
President – Waylon Richling
Looking to get involved in TJL? Reach out to Cecelia at cashenberg@hillelsd.org
SAMi (Sephardic American Mizrahi Initiative)
Looking to celebrate your Sephardic and/or Mizrahi identity with a community on campus? SAMi makes it possible. SAMi is a student-led initiative focused on celebrating Sephardic & Mizrahi identity, history, and culture through meaningful programming, conversations, and community building. Everything is created by students, for students, with the goal of expanding Jewish representation and strengthening connection on campus.
President - Ava Becker
Interested? Reach out to samihub.ucsd@gmail.com
Wellness Club
Wellness is a part of our everyday lives, and it’s no different here at Hillel of San Diego! Anything you see at Hillel that is wellness related comes from the ideas of our club and working with Hillel’s Wellness Counselor. If you’d like to help plan wellness-centric programs and activities, please reach out!
President- Shayna Crasnick
Interested? Reach out to Danielle at dbotvin@hillelsd.org
- SDSU
Hillel Business Initiative (HBI)
Interested in business and entrepreneurship? Join the Hillel Business Initiative, a student-led club that brings together Jewish students passionate about leadership, innovation, and networking. Meet every Wednesday at 7 PM to connect with peers, hear from community professionals, and explore opportunities to grow your skills and ideas. Want to get involved? Contact Jacob at jleibowitz@hillelsd.org
Hillelski Speaks Russki
A space for Russian speaking students to celebrate their unique culture, food, and language! Since Jews in the Soviet Union were heavily persecuted, first and second generation American Russian Jews have varying levels of practice and knowledge. This club aims celebrate the commonalities among Russian American Jews. Contact Ellie at eosher@hillelsd.org
Achayot
Looking for sisterhood and connection? Join Achayot, where laughter, support, and friendship are at the heart of everything we do. Join us every Wednesday at 6 PM to connect, unwind, and celebrate Jewish life together. Think of it as a weekly dose of sisterhood, community, and joy. Interested? Contact Ellie at eosher@hillelsd.org
Jewish Networking Hub
- All Campuses
The Jewish Networking Hub is your gateway to meaningful professional growth, mentorship, and community. Powered by Hillel of San Diego, our mission is to bring together Jewish students, young professionals, and established leaders to build bridges, open doors, and strengthen our community through connection. Questions? Contact Maya at msatnick@hillelsd.org
Jewish Greek Life
- UCSD and SDSU
Special events open to Jewish students involved in any Greek organization. Tailgates, learning, social events, holiday celebrations and more! Want to get involved? Email Ellie at eosher@hillelsd.org for SDSU and Cecelia cashenberg@hillelsd.org for UCSD.
AEPi (Alpha Epsilon Pi)
Alpha Epsilon Pi partners with Hillel in order to fulfill their mission of creating a pathway for their Jewish members to stay involved in Jewish community. They are a nationally Jewish organization and are very connected to Hillel.
AEPhi (Alpha Epsilon Phi)
Alpha Epsilon Phi partners with Hillel in order to fulfill their mission of creating a pathway for their Jewish members to stay involved in Jewish community. They are a nationally Jewish organization and are very connected to Hillel.
Jewish Grad Network Powered by Hillel
- All Campuses
Are you a graduate student in a San Diego college and looking for Jewish community events with other students? Come join us at one of our many events which include; shabbat, holidays and other socializing opportunities. Reach out to Danielle at dbotvin@hillelsd.org to learn more. Sign up to join the Whatsapp here.
- Email Danielle for UCSD
- Email Jacob for SDSU
- Email Alexandra for USD and CSUSM
Hillel Leadership Institute (HLI)
- All Campuses
The HLI is for leaders who want to grow the Jewish community on campus, to contribute to the events & programs being produced by Hillel, and to drive decision making. It is a dedicated team that is passionate about Hillel and wants to make a difference. Opportunities range from social media marketing to event planning and outreach. Want to learn more? Reach out to Danielle Botvin for UCSD, Jacob Leibowitz for SDSU, and Alexandra Lovgren for USD and CSUSM.
