Our Impact

Campus Climate: Safe and Secure at UCLA

In the aftermath of the horrific October 7th attacks, Jewish Bruins face unprecedented levels of antisemitic and anti-Zionist hate. At Hillel they get support that cannot be found elsewhere. By empowering students to stand up to hate and proudly express their Jewish values on campus, Hillel doubles down on community-building and Jewish unity as essential tools to counter exclusion and cultivate belonging. Our presence at UCLA has never felt more urgent. UCLA increasingly looks to Hillel’s senior leadership as a trusted partner in efforts to confront and root out campus antisemitism. Students rely on Hillel as a credible space for healing, intellectual growth, and deepening their connection to Israel and Zionism. During the most challenging campus moments, Hillel professionals responded with agility—expanding pastoral care, providing free, nourishing Kosher meals, supporting student leaders in amplifying their voices for Jewish safety and Israel, and significantly increasing programming that strengthens Jewish identity and resilience. This is our enduring commitment.

Some of our programs:

• Full-time dedicated professional who fortifies connections with UCLA faculty and administration on campus climate matters
• Enhanced security features and armed guard at Hillel facility
• On-campus vigils and rallies and pop-up Safe Space lounge at Hillel
• Guest speakers, documentary film screenings and educational programs about Israel and Zionism, including major international thought leaders, October 7th survivors and diplomats
• Support for students filing discrimination and bias complaints

Mental Health: A Jewish Call to Action

In 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General highlighted the widespread impact of loneliness, labeling it an epidemic in our nation. Subsequently, a set of guidelines was released on how to build more connected lives and a more connected society. Hillel at UCLA has been tracking the impact of social media-induced loneliness, existential threats (the pandemic and climate crisis), and the deterioration of civil discourse on our students for a decade. As Jews, we look to our traditions to guide us toward community and connectivity. Channeling the value of pikuach nefesh, to save a soul, we are steadfastly committed to integrating mental health support into virtually all of our programs, bringing students into relationship with one another, in real life, and fast-tracking students to the confidential, individualized support they need (particularly as they launch into young adulthood).

Some of our programs:

• Access to free, confidential individual therapy
• Chai on Life hikes, camping trips, picnics and time in nature
• Jewish Learning Fellowship focused on intimacy and relationships
• Neshamah Wellness Lounge, a space dedicated to rest and regulating the nervous system
• One-on-one in-house pastoral care and counsel
• Collaborations with UCLA and other Jewish institutions to enhance services and access
• Wellness resources readily available on social media
• Engagement with art (observing and creating)
• Access to free, nourishing food to promote balance

Leadership

Jewish leadership is the engine of Jewish communal vitality. In the face of rising global antisemitism, Hillel invests in Jewish campus leaders with the understanding that their voices will shape our people and our society for generations to come. We empower Jewish Bruins to lead with confidence by grounding their leadership in Jewish values and perspectives. Leadership potential is realized through practice and training, and Hillel provides students with meaningful opportunities to lead their peers. Guided by professional staff, students develop skills in community organizing, outreach, partnership-building, event planning, budgeting, goal-setting, and impact evaluation. The Hillel Student Board is composed of highly engaged students whose passions and interests drive programming, ensuring that leadership remains student-led, staff-supported, and accessible to leaders at every stage. Through their dedication, Hillel student leaders strengthen Jewish life, enrich campus culture, and elevate the entire UCLA community.

Some of our programs:

• Student Executive Leadership Board
• Challah for Hunger (baking challah and selling it for charitable benefit)
• Bearing Witness (Shoah education and activism)
• Freshman Leadership Council
• Persian Community at Hillel
• Bruins Beyachad Reform Community
• Transfer Undergraduate Students at Hillel
• Senior Seminar and Senior Class Gift
• Students serving on Hillel’s governing Board of Directors

Shabbat, Holidays & Learning

Engaging in Jewish learning, as well as the celebration of Shabbat and Jewish rituals, is fundamental to the development of one’s sense of Jewish identity, Jewish literacy and Jewish confidence. Hillel offers a plurality of opportunities to immerse in Judaism, ranging from exploring ancient and contemporary Jewish text (and its applications to everyday life) to experiencing rituals that mark Jewish holidays throughout the week and year. Radical inclusion enhances our whole community! There are ways for every Jewish Bruin to be involved, regardless of denominational affiliation or degree of Jewish fluency.

Some of our programs:

• High Holy Days services and meals (for students and the community at large)
• Weekly student-led Shabbat services and hearty, free Shabbat meals (evening and daytime)
• Jewish Learning Fellowships (4–8 weeks of text study with a cohort of peers, an educator, and food)
• Chevrutah-style, peer-to-peer learning
• Rosh Chodesh gatherings
• Torah study with a Rabbi
• Hanukkah celebration and distribution of Hanukkah accoutrements
• Shabbat Around Westwood (students host Shabbat in their homes)
• Senior Speeches (reflections on lessons learned in Jewish community)
• Hillel Purim Pageant
• Kosher for Passover meals and seders
• Access to a fully stocked Beit Midrash (library of Jewish text)

Israel and Zionism

Hillel is the hub for Israel activity at UCLA and a key force shaping campus climate as it relates to Israel. Our commitment to giving students opportunities to explore Israel in all her complexities is unwavering. Especially amid rising global anti-Zionism, Jewish young adults turn to Hillel to learn, ask difficult questions, mourn, and celebrate. Hillel hosts Bruins for Israel, the largest student group, alongside several smaller Israel affinity groups. Each year, we engage hundreds of students through programs exploring dual narratives, culture, travel, advocacy training, lobbying, Hebrew language, and learning. As a trusted source for pluralistic Israel engagement, Hillel is the only campus organization with an Israeli shaliach (Israel Fellow) working alongside students to build confidence in and love for Israel. In times of war and peace, we continue to connect students to Israel through multiple annual travel opportunities, fostering firsthand experience and deepening their relationship with the land.

Some of our programs:

• Guest lecturers including Israeli dignitaries, celebrities and organizational leaders
• Israel Learning Fellowship (Kol Yisrael)
• Hebrew Conversation Hour
• Bruin Professor Dinner (connecting Zionist students and professors)
• Student Leadership Dinner (connecting Jewish and non-Jewish students supporting Israel)
• Israel advocacy training and lobbying (Bruin Israel Public Affairs Committee)
• Perspectives Trip (interfaith leadership development trip to Israel)
• Western Region Student Leaders Summit (convening 100+ students from throughout SoCal)
• Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration and Yom Hazikaron memorial

Arts & Culture: Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts

The Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts weaves art and culture into the Hillel experience for UCLA students and community members. Boasting five gallery spaces at 574 Hilgard Avenue, intentional and thought-provoking art and creative collaborations contribute to a holistic sense of Jewish pride and curiosity.

Some of our programs:

• “October 7th: In Their Words” West Coast Premiere Staged Reading
• Annual Student Fine Arts Show and Photography Contest
• Fall and Winter Art Openings featuring art in our gallery spaces
• In-person and virtual lectures presented by the Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller Institute for Jewish Learning
• Collaborations with local museums, consulates, academic departments and organizations
• Permanent art installations in the Hillel building
• Mentorship for students with an interest in the arts (opportunities to curate shows and learn alongside experienced artists and producers)