The Hillels of Georgia Weekly Chai-Lights Reel

ISSUE NO. 23 | VOL. 2026

IsraelFest Takes Over KSU

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For one afternoon, Kennesaw State felt less like a campus and more like a lively Israeli shuk. Students arrived, grabbed their tote bags and 25 “shekels,” and quickly got the hang of it: bartering for falafel, shawarma, bamba, bisli, limonana, and even Dead Sea salt souvenirs. And, of course, "Bubbles the Camel" made a much-anticipated appearance, drawing in curious students from all over.

About 250 students and community members came through, many initially pulled in by the camel but staying to explore, ask questions, and connect. For Hillel regulars, the experience meant something deeper. As one student reflected, “while most of our Hillel regulars had a great time and may have learned a little something new, the main takeaway was the ability to be proud of Israel in a safe public space.” And for the many new faces, “it was an opportunity to engage with Israel and learn something that they might not have otherwise known.”

Between the food, the conversations, and the partnerships across campus and community, IsraelFest didn’t just recreate the shuk; it created a space where curiosity turned into connection.

Interfaith Kickball at UGA

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At Hillel UGA, building community looked a little different this week with more running, more cheering, and definitely more kickball. Hillel hosted its first Interfaith Kickball Tournament, bringing together students from the Catholic Center and Baptist Collegiate Ministries for a round robin of friendly competition.

Each team finished 1–1, but the scoreboard quickly became secondary to what was happening on the field: new conversations and connections forming between students who might not have met otherwise. As one student summed it up, “we got some sun, had a lot of laughs, and can’t wait to create more interfaith programming like this in the future.”

Sometimes, the strongest bridges aren’t built in formal settings; they’re built between innings.

Pita and Pride: IsraelFest at Georgia Tech

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At Georgia Tech, IsraelFest was equal parts celebration and connection. Students gathered to eat, dance, and explore. They ate Israeli snacks and chocolate, enjoyed music, culture, and even practicing writing in Hebrew. Some stopped by briefly, others stayed longer, but together they created a steady hum of energy and community throughout the day.

For Ariel Adadi,(Georgia Tech '29), the impact was genuine: “IsraelFest was absolutely splendid. It was so inspiring to see our community come together in support and celebrate all the beauty of Eretz Yisrael. And the food did not disappoint.”

That mix of pride, joy, and shared experience is what made the day stand out—not just what students learned, but how it felt to be there together.