UMBC Hillel

We are so excited to hold our first hot Shabbat dinner since 2020 as we welcome students back to campus! Join us for Welcome Shabbat on Friday, 8/31 at 5 PM in the Gathering Space! RSVP is REQUIRED by 8/28: https://form.jotform.com/242276492462057

This fall, Hillel will offer two stipended learning fellowships this semester! JLF: Life's Big Questions and Kol Yisrael: Zionism. Get PAID to explore self-identity or the intricacies of Zionism with a cohort in a brave space where questions are not only welcome, but encouraged.

Sign up by 8/21 to vote on the meeting time!
JLF: https://bit.ly/jlff24
Kol Yisrael: https://bit.ly/kyf24

Do you have a friend between the ages of 18 and 26 who wants to take a free trip of a lifetime to Israel this winter break?

Refer them to Danielle for UMBC Hillel’s Birthright trip this coming January 8-19! Email her at [email protected] with their name and email address. If they sign up, both of you will receive swag and a Starbucks gift card! Sign-ups for our January 2025 Birthright trip are open until the end of the day on August 19th at hillel.org/trip/UMBC. Birthright spots will be limited this season, so make sure to tell all your eligible friends and relatives to sign up ASAP—and sign up yourself!

Questions? Please email [email protected]

This trip is not sponsored by the university.

With all three of our staff were in attendance at Hillel International's New Professional’s Institute this past week in St. Louis! It was a great time getting to spend time with each other, our role-based cohorts, other Maryland-based professionals, and friends from the past! After getting some rest this weekend, we will be diving into planning for the year. Shabbat shalom!

Making the case for Israel is becoming an increasingly challenging task these days. Monica Forman (world-renowned professional debater) will be running a workshop for Israeli students over Zoom on Wednesday, August 14th from 1pm to 2:30pm EST. This workshop will help you stick up for yourself as an Israeli student on a college campus without sounding preachy or antagonizing friends and colleagues. Using top debaters’ tricks, you’ll be able to turn the arrogant “It’s very simple” to “It’s more complicated than I thought” and win over the silent majority. You’ll learn how to identify the points of contention, choose the correct arguments, and deliver them persuasively.

This event will be in Hebrew and is specifically for Israeli/Hebrew fluent students. There is a minimum of 15 participants in order for this Zoom workshop to be held.

If you would like to attend, please register by the end of the day on August 10th at: https://hillel.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mfG9KbxdTDabOUmKBF4R_w.

The high holidays may be later this year (Rosh Hashanah: October 2-4, Yom Kippur: October 11-12), but they are already on our minds as we head into the school year! Our offerings will be based on demand—please let us know whether or not you be around and what you are looking for, either on campus or locally! https://form.jotform.com/241915141207044

We are excited to be welcoming Lisa Huberman (they/them) to our UMBC Hillel team today as Social Action Engagement Associate! We are so excited to have Lisa to expand programming in this area. They will be working with our social action-focused student leaders, coordinating programs with local and on-campus service partners, and integrating tikkun olam into regular Hillel programming.

Lisa comes to us from Adas Israel Congregation where they were the Assistant Director of Schools. In that role, Lisa developed and implemented curricular lesson planning procedures in various subjects. They also drafted internal/external communications as well as recruited and mentored part-time staff.

Stay tuned for opportunities to connect with Lisa! While their UMBC email will be set up after our next Religious Council meeting, please feel free to welcome them in the meantime at [email protected]

Calling all Retrievers, registration for our January 2025 Birthright Israel trip is now open!

Spend 10 days meeting new friends, engaging in meaningful dialogue, participating in impactful volunteer work, and experiencing Israel through a new lens. We want you to have an unforgettable experience in Israel. ✈️ 🇮🇱

Make long-lasting memories with us from January 8th-19th, and save your spot today at hillel.org/trip/UMBC.

Questions? Email Danielle at [email protected].

This trip is not sponsored by the university.

Today we're spotlighting Natan Lichtman! Natan came to us as a transfer last year, already looking forward to getting involved in campus Jewish community. He immediately took to it, and now reflects that "[his] favorite part of Hillel is the feeling of genuine community." After going on Birthright that winter with UMBC Hillel—his favorite Hillel memory— his love of Israel grew; he took on a leadership role as Co-Chair of our Israel Committee and helped revive Hebrew Happy Hour. Natan's love of Hillel community expanded beyond our campus, as he attended 's Global Student Assembly last August and served on Hillel's Israel Leadership Network this past year. Outside of Jewish community, Natan was involved in campus research and received an Undergraduate Research Award. Next Year, Natan will be completing his MSW at UMB. We wish Natan the best can't wait to see what he does!

This afternoon, we are featuring Maxine Elovitz! Maxine transferred to us virtually during COVID and immediately stepped into the Hillel community with our virtual offerings. Since we've been back in person, Maxine has stepped up as Hillel leader and started Pomegranate, our Jewish LGBTQ+ support group. This past year, Maxine further expanded Pomegranate's programs, Pride Shabbat, a favorite memory of theirs which included creative brainstorming of all the ways to utilize Red 40. They also got to go to Israel for the first time with UMBC Hillel's Birthright trip. Maxine also connected with the greater campus faith community as a Gathering Space Intern, through which they co-started and led Queerios, a weekly discussion-based group focused on the intersection of q***r and religious or spiritual identities. Currently, Maxine is looking for a job, and we wish them the best of luck!

For this morning's senior spotlight, we have Maddy Pollack! Maddy has made her involvement in Jewish community a huge part of her time at UMBC, having previously served as Hillel secretary, coming in as Gift of Life Ambassador after this past fall abroad in London (where she also sought out Jewish community), her involvement in Chabad, all topped off by her Judaic studies minor. Maddy has also been an involved member of the campus community at large, having worked as an employee in the President's Office and the Admissions Office. Some of her favorite Hillel memories include the introduction of pretzel challah at our Shabbat onegs and participating in our Jewish Learning Fellowship. We are so excited to see Maddy around a little bit longer as she begins her MA in Historical Studies at UMBC in the fall! Best of luck Maddy, and be sure to stop by for some more pretzel challah!

As we head into graduation season, we're so excited to spotlight some of our graduating students!

First up, we have Alexis Jacobs. Alexis came to us as a transfer and immediately sought out Jewish community in Hillel. In her second semester, Alexis stepped up as Shabbat Committee co-chair and helped plan some awesome themed Shabbat, which made up some of her favorite Hillel memories—especially Ocean Shabbat and Wild West Shabbat. Alexis is currently applying to various museum and historical internships for the fall. We wish her the best of luck!

THANK YOU SO MUCH to our incredible donors! ❤️ Thanks to your support, UMBC Hillel raised $12,417 (SURPASSING our goal of $10,000) to support Jewish students at University of Maryland, Baltimore County during ! We are so grateful for everything you do to create a safe, vibrant Jewish community at Hillel!

Join UMBC Hillel and Chabad - Jewish Life at UMBC for a graduation day bagel brunch open house before or after your ceremony! Find us in the Center for Well-Being lobby from 12-2 PM. Please bring the whole mishpacha (family)!

There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP at bit.ly/GradsNBagels so we know how many are joining us, and let us know if you require a gluten free or dairy free/vegan option.

Questions? Please reach out to Aliza Silverman at [email protected] or Chani Reyder at [email protected].

Today is the FINAL DAY of ! This is a photo of Michael Alroy, a transgender guest speaker from Israel, who came to UMBC to share his life’s journey with us! Donate today so we can have more meaningful programs at UMBC. All gifts made to UMBC Hillel will go TWICE as far! Don’t miss your chance to increase your impact! DONATE NOW: http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

This is Maxine, class of 2024, shaking hands with Lynne Farbman after hearing Lynn share her testimony of surviving the Holocaust. This , will you make a gift to support our Jewish students when they need us most? DOUBLE your impact today at http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

This is Taylor, class of 2024, at our UMBC Hillel Graduation Shabbat. This , will you make a gift to support our Jewish students when they need us most? DOUBLE your impact today at http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

This is Aron, class of 2026, making matzah pizza on campus during Passover this year! This , will you make a gift to support our Jewish students when they need us most? DOUBLE your impact today at http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

This is Flynn, class of 2024, after climbing up Masada in Israel on our January 2023 Birthright trip to Israel. This , will you make a gift to support our Jewish students when they need us most? DOUBLE your impact today at http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

UMBC Hillel is more than just a place to gather – it's a home away from home, a sanctuary where Jewish students can be themselves. This is Coby, class of 2024, at a Shabbat Oneg putting on as many kippot as he can fit on his head. This , will you make a gift to support our Jewish students when they need us most? DOUBLE your impact today at http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

UMBC Hillel will be at Starbucks for most of the day today for study day! 11 AM-4:30 PM. Stop by to take a break with your friends and grab a beverage on Hillel!

This is Alexis at the Israel rally in DC this past November of 2023. This , will you make a gift to support our Jewish students when they need us most? DOUBLE your impact today at http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

Today is especially meaningful because we are celebrating Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day. For our students, and for many Jewish people around the world, this year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut is unlike any other — more meaningful, emotional, and inspiring — — especially as antisemitism rises on college campuses across the globe. Today, the second day of , YOU can help inspire more Jewish Retrievers to build a lasting connection to Jewish life, Jewish learning, and Israel: To DOUBLE your impact today, visit http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

Today we observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day to remember fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Many of our students are joining Jewish communities across the country to honor and celebrate Israeli family and friends who are no longer with us. We know that this Yom HaZikaron is particularly challenging, in the wake of the devastation of October 7. Our hearts are with our Israeli and Jewish communities around the world, and especially in Israel. 🇮🇱 Please consider making a contribution to UMBC Hillel this week (from now to May 17) at give.hillel.org/umbc as all gifts given during this time will be matched!

Let's hear it for all the Jewish Retrievers! Our students, alumni, supporters, parents, and community members are all part of our UMBC Hillel family, and we could not be more grateful for each of you as we finish this challenging year. We invite you to spend some time getting to know our strong, proud, and resilient Jewish community this and make a matched gift by Friday, May 17! Make an early gift today: http://give.hillel.org/umbc.

All friends of UMBC Hillel are invited to join us for our Annual Meeting. Join us in celebrating our accomplishments in a year like no other, as well the new members of our Student Board and Board of Directors. Snacks will be available, dietary laws will be observed.

Please RSVP on the evite—if you did not receive one, please reach out to Aliza Silverman at [email protected].

UMBC Hillel is SO excited to be participating in , May 13-17 🌎❤️✡️ ALL gifts to UMBC Hillel during Global Giving Week will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000 (up to $10,000 for first time donors to UMBC Hillel)! LOOKOUT FOR THE DONATION LINK THAT WILL BE SHARED OUT THIS SUNDAY!

As we wrap up the year, it's time to elect our new Hillel student board! Join us for a Shabbat oneg of civic duty and community. Kosher snacks will be available, with gluten free and vegan options.

Have other dietary restrictions? Please reach out to Aliza at [email protected].

Calling all UMBC Hillel seniors graduating this semester! We have some fun things for you: a Hillel “graduation certificate,” graduation cord, and senior spotlight. Please sign up at https://form.jotform.com/241265266271152 for any and all that you are interested in!

If you previously filled out the Graduation Shabbat form, you do not need to fill this out as well.

*At Goucher, security will be present, UMBC students MUST RSVP to Beth Vander Stoep at [email protected]*
On Yom HaShoah we pause, we reflect, and we remember the devastation of the Holocaust. We say the names of the 6 million Jews who were murdered and we recommit ourselves to fighting antisemitism. We also remember that the Holocaust is not something abstract that happened centuries ago and that we have Holocaust survivors living among us today.
Join Goucher Hillel on Thursday night at 7PM as we hear the first hand testimony of Baltimore’s very own Lynne Farbman who spent her life thinking she was the child of survivors only to then find out that she herself was a Holocaust survivor.
The opportunity to hear from survivors is becoming rarer and rarer as survivors age and pass away. This is a rare opportunity you won’t want to miss.
If you need transportation or can help provide a ride, please reach out to Aliza at [email protected].