
Judah’s story
“We have one of the strongest Modern Orthodox communities on any college campus across North America, and that’s one of the reasons I chose this school.”Hillel really helps me facilitate my Jewish life while I’m away from home. I take advantage of the opportunities...

Daniela’s story
“Hillel is a place where I can be Jewish however I want to be . . . and have different Jewish experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise.”Hillel funds a lot of different projects — from religious ones to performance groups to groups that help with social justice...

Sam’s story
“The biggest excuse that young professionals make is that we’re so busy – in our careers, in our dating life. I think people who want to make time for things make time for things. If you show them it’s a really worthy endeavor, they’ll find time for anything.”I grew...

Pamela and Sophie’s stories
“I think part of me is doing it for me, for the kid I was. I wish I had this as a kid.” – Pam“Having anxiety made me a better listener. When people spoke to me, I realized all the things I hated. Like, don’t tell me to relax. I never say that to anyone.” –...

Nava’s story
“No community better showcases the unlimited potential that diversity can produce than the New York Jewish community.”Jewish communities have shaped my identity and given me a meaningful backdrop to my everyday life. I also believe that being part of the...

Mary’s story
“We live here, and we breathe this air. Hesed keeps us alive now.”My husband, Leonid, and I had to flee our home in Lugansk, a city in eastern Ukraine, when shrapnel landed in our garden a few years ago. Lugansk was right in the middle of the battle between Ukraine...

Avery and Annie’s story
“We’re grateful that we can participate as part of a community to teach our children the important things in life. It’s a blessing to be able to continue what our parents did before us.”Annie and I wanted to be part of Emerging Leaders and Philanthropists because it’s...

Jose’s story
“On 9/11… the tragedy seemed so familiar. I thought, ‘I already went through this. I lived it twice.’” I was born in Poland at the beginning of World War II. As a young boy, I lived in a ghetto and a work camp with my parents, and later I went to a concentration camp....

Mayer’s story
“When I was young, I was in the Satu Mare Ghetto and Auschwitz. Now I’m 91. Who would imagine that my wife and I would still be dancing and schmoozing with friends?” I was born in Romania. My family and I lived in the Satu Mare Ghetto until it was liquidated and we...

CC’s story
“During the darkest time of my life, I felt helpless, worthless, and that things would never get better. Now I know there’s hope.” I took in my mom for many years. You never know as a caretaker how that can affect you. I was up all night...