This semester has been one of the most challenging in my career as a Hillel director. I have seen students personally, deeply impacted by the terror attacks on Oct 7th and Israel-Hamas war. One student lost a family friend at the music festival; another student lost a cousin fighting in Gaza. On campus, one student was called a "f***ing k***" and another student was harassed while painting spirit rocks at UTD. Those spirit rocks are gone, but the antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric is not.
I've also seen incredible strength, resilience, empathy, and community-building from students. Students who led prayers at a vigil for Israel. Students who advocated that administration have a better understanding of antisemitism. Students who creatively made space just to be Jewish and relax on campus. Students who stepped up to create new programs on campus. And students who came to Hillel for the first time, looking to understand more about their paternal Jewish roots.
Please join me in securing needed funds for Hillels of North Texas to provide life-changing Jewish experiences for students at UNT and UTD, to advocate for the safety of Jewish students and all students on campus, and to inspire students now and for years to come.
Thank you!