The Hillels of Georgia Weekly Chai-Lights Reel
- Hillels of Georgia
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
ISSUE NO. 08 | VOL. 2026
It's Been an Intense and Inspiring Week for Hillels of Georgia
From the emotional return of our brothers and sisters who were held captive to our CEO Rabbi Larry Sernovitz’s meeting with Israel’s new Consul General, Eitan Weiss, this week has been both intense and uplifting. Across our campuses, students have gathered for vigils, conversations, and moments of unity; reaffirming that the presence of Hillels of Georgia on campus is needed now more than ever.
Honoring the Victims of October 7th at Georgia Tech
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The Georgia Tech Jewish community came together to honor the victims of the October 7th attacks and advocate for the return of the hostages. Members of Hillel and Students Supporting Israel (SSI) spent the afternoon tabling on campus, sharing stories, handing out flowers, cookies, and coffee, and engaging with over 40 members of the Georgia Tech Community. The day concluded with a powerful memorial ceremony with over 250 students in attendance. At the event, students shared personal reflections, remembered loved ones (like Dekel Swissa, who had spent time in Atlanta prior to joining the IDF), and prayed together for peace and healing.
On October 9th, the Georgia Tech Jewish community came together to honor the victims of the October 7th attacks and advocate for the return of the hostages. Members of Hillel and Students Supporting Israel (SSI) spent the afternoon tabling on campus, sharing stories, handing out flowers, cookies, and coffee, and engaging with over 40 members of the Georgia Tech Community. The day concluded with a powerful memorial ceremony with over 250 students in attendance. At the event, co-hosted by Hillel, SSI, and Chabad, students shared personal reflections, remembered loved ones like Dekel Swissa, who had spent time in Atlanta prior to joining the IDF, and prayed together for peace and healing.
As we continue to grow and strengthen Jewish life across Georgia, save the date for the Grand Opening of Georgia Tech’s new Hillel space next Sunday at 12:30 PM: a milestone worth celebrating!
An Evening of Strength and Reflection with Former Hostage, Eli Sharabi
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On October 11th, KSU Hillel students joined 1,300 community members at the MJCCA to hear from Eli Sharabi, a former hostage, in a deeply moving evening that began with Havdallah and shaking the lulav and etrog in the sukkah.
As one student reflected, “It was incredibly meaningful to hear from him, especially on the eve of the hostage deal.”
Representing multiple campuses (five KSU students, one recent alum, and students from Gwinnett Tech, Chattahoochee Tech, and Georgia State), this powerful gathering connected students across Georgia through shared prayer, reflection, and solidarity with Israel.
Farm-to-Table Sukkot Shabbat at Hillel UGA
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Hillel UGA hosted a warm and meaningful Farm-to-Table Sukkot Shabbat, bringing students together to celebrate the harvest festival with fresh, locally inspired foods. Around 30 undergraduate students gathered to welcome Shabbat, enjoy a delicious meal, and shake the lulav and etrog in the sukkah.
One UGA student shared, “I really enjoyed celebrating Shabbat in the Sukkah at Hillel. We got to enjoy the beautiful fall weather while eating delicious, fresh food in a cozy environment.”
It was a beautiful evening that highlighted the power of tradition and community.
Movie Night in the Sukkah at Georgia College
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Georgia College Hillel hosted Movie Night in the Sukkah, where students learned about the meaning of Sukkot, fulfilled the mitzvah of shaking the lulav and etrog, and enjoyed dinner and a movie together under the stars. A special thank you goes to the families who helped build the sukkah over Parents Weekend; making this joyful night of community and connection possible!
SCAD Hillel is Building Community One Cup of Coffee at a Time
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SCAD Hillel Adviser, Rose Schaffer, has been deepening student engagement through one-on-one coffee chats with students and Student Engagement Ambassadors. This week, she met individually with several students to learn about their experiences and hopes for Jewish life at SCAD.
One ambassador, Galia, shared that she “grew up in a nearly 100% Jewish community, then went to Arizona State University, which had a thriving Hillel with regular social programs.” Now, she’s eager to bring that same sense of connection and energy to SCAD Hillel.
Their conversation ended “buzzing with excitement” about new ways to build community; showing how personal conversations can inspire collective growth.