How University of Delaware Students are Celebrating Israel Week This Year
by Sara Rubinfeld, Development Manager
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Since our founding in 1948, Grant Hillel at UD has proudly been a Zionist organization with Israel at its core. We are “all-in” on Israel. In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing interest among students who are placing greater importance on supporting, protecting, and defending Israel—while also helping their peers understand that being pro-Israel does not mean being anti-anyone else.
Our Israel programming is led by a passionate group of student leaders who make up the board of Blue Hens for Israel (BHFI), one of the student groups operating under the umbrella of Grant Hillel.
This semester, BHFI is led by senior Sydney Brewer, whose commitment to Israel runs deep. She first visited Israel in the summer of 2023, an experience that helped shape her leadership and perspective. “In my time on campus, I have learned to speak with conviction, to organize under pressure, and to lead with compassion for those who feel hreatened or marginalized. My commitment to Israel is rooted in history, identity, and responsibility. I believe a Jewish state is essential for the safety and continuity of the Jewish people. That belief drives everything I do.”
BHFI is also the driving force behind Israel Week on campus, a weeklong celebration dedicated to exploring and honoring all things Israel. The timing coincides with Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day), a powerful juxtaposition that reflects the Jewish people’s commitment to remembering the past, living in the present, and looking ahead to a brighter future.
This year, Israel Week is returning to the North Green and will feature a full calendar of events, including craft-making, letter-writing to IDF soldiers, an Israel-themed Shabbat, and much more.
We look forward to a meaningful and engaging week that brings our community together in learning, reflection, and celebration.
As we close out another exciting school year, we are so proud of everything our students have done, and we can’t wait to
see what is coming up! Thank you to the thousands of students we have welcomed through our doors and the hundreds of donors, especially members of the larger Delaware Jewish community, who make it all possible.
To learn more about how Grant Hillel is supporting Israel and our students, please visit our website, www.udhillel.org, and follow us on social media:
Facebook: @UDHillel
Instagram: @UDHillel
