The Hillels of Georgia Weekly Chai-Lights Reel

ISSUE NO. 15 | VOL. 2026

Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day at GSU

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On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, students at Georgia State gathered to hear the powerful testimony of Holocaust survivor George Rishfeld, whose life story spans survival, resilience, and rebuilding against impossible odds.

Born in Warsaw, Poland in 1939 just before the outbreak of World War II, George was forced into the Vilna Ghetto with his parents, later hidden by a Polish family, and ultimately reunited with his family after the war. He went on to build a life in the United States, serving in the military, marrying, and raising a loving family.

“Hear the story. Tell the story. Do what you can, when you can, to help our children, and their children know the story and remember it for their own sake. Even in the face of evil and death, we choose life.”

By hosting survivor voices on campus, Hillel ensures that remembrance becomes responsibility and history is carried forward by the next generation.

SCAD Hillel Welcomes the New Quarter Together

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SCAD Hillel welcomed students back to campus for Winter Quarter 2026 with a Hanukkah Back to School event that brought warmth, light, and connection to the start of the term. Students gathered in Savannah to reconnect after break, meet new faces, and ease into the quarter in a space that felt both familiar and celebratory.

The program blended Jewish tradition with community building, reminding students that even in the busiest academic seasons, SCAD Hillel is a constant source of belonging, support, and shared Jewish life on campus.

An Israeli Twist on 'Bagel Break' at Georgia Tech

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Hillel at Georgia Tech gave its weekly Bagel Break an Israeli twist with Israeli music, snacks, and conversations centered on Israel engagement. Students learned more about Birthright and Onward while connecting over food and culture.

As part of the morning, Yarden (Israel Fellow) helped students prepare for travel by discussing questions they may encounter while abroad and sharing insights about the experiences they can expect. The program blended community, curiosity, and preparation into a welcoming start to the day.

Jewish Greek Life x Hillel UGA Collaboration

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Hillel at UGA’s Greek Life Committee kicked off the spring semester with a downtown gathering at Insomnia Cookies. Students came together to enjoy warm treats, reconnect after break, and talk about the semester ahead.

Conversations ranged from upcoming Hillel programs to UGA sports and even the recent ice storm. With strong support from sisters of SDT and fraternity brothers from TEP and AEPi, the event reflected the strength of Jewish community built through collaboration and shared experiences.

Learning Hebrew at Café Ivrit

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Students of varying Hebrew levels gathered at Café Ivrit to practice language skills in a relaxed, engaging environment. Led by Ofek, students split into groups to play interactive games as a meaningful learning tool.

Since increasing the frequency of Café Ivrit to a weekly program open to all, turnout has increased and participation has diversified. Sidney Sirull (KSU Class of 2028) “really liked how we played games in order to learn Hebrew rather than just being taught by someone.” Students fluent in Hebrew, those preparing for Birthright or Onward, and those new to the language are learning together and building connections.

Hershel Greenblat Shares His Story with Over 150 Emory Students

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More than 150 students gathered at Emory to hear Holocaust survivor Herschel Greenblatt share his story. The program, a collaboration among all Jewish groups on campus, brought together students from across the community in a shared moment of remembrance and reflection. The powerful testimony left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of survivor voices and the responsibility students carry in preserving memory.

Finding Our Voices at LSLI

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Austin Cohn, Hillel at Georgia Southern’s Freshman Organizer, hosted a coffee meetup to welcome new students and create an easy, approachable entry point into Jewish life on campus. Over coffee and conversation, students connected with him and Rose (Hillel Advisor) and began building relationships that will anchor their college experience. Small moments like these are often the starting point for deeper engagement, leadership, and a lasting sense of belonging at Hillel.