Every year, we train and bring young Israelis who are post-army service and university to North American college campuses so they can develop personal bonds with students. In partnership with Hillel, Campus Israel Fellows support and empower student efforts to counter antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on campus, helping substitute education for ignorance, and create safe spaces for tolerance and diversity.

Nethanel, a Campus Israel Fellow | Photo provided by Nethanel

“As an Israel Fellow, I am representing Israel as the Jewish homeland and making a Jewish connection for the students on campus. All Jewish Agency emissaries bring with us a physical human connection to Israel,” said Nethanel, 26, our Israel Fellow in Montreal, Canada. “And in particular, for Jews outside of Israel, that personal relationship with an Israeli changes Israel from an idea into something more real.”

“I’m on campus to be there for the students, whether they are dealing with Jewish identity issues, encountering antisemitism, wondering about the realities of Israeli life and Israeli diversity or something else,” shared ​​Aviva, a second-year Israel Fellow at the University of Texas-Austin. “And I’m proud that I’ve developed deep relationships with the students so they feel comfortable speaking to me and asking questions.”

Aviva manning a Hillel information table on campus | Photo provided by Aviva

In 2022, unfortunately, students saw a scary escalation in antisemitism on their college campuses, from swastikas graffitied on the sidewalk to protesters holding signs claiming Jews commit genocide, making the presence of our Israel Fellows even more vital.

Yakov, a Campus Israel Fellow | Photo provided by Yakov

“There have been instances of antisemitism on campus, so we focus on building a strong community of Israel-engaged students who feel safe,” explained Yakov, the Israel Fellow who serves Columbia University and Barnard in New York City. “I motivate students to get involved and to continue supporting Israel, providing them with context and understanding. To expel the dark, you need to spread the light.”

More in Connecting Jews Worldwide

Masa Israel Journey
Jewish Peoplehood
Project TEN

Our other Shlichim (Israeli emissaries), including 180 ShinShinim (service year Israeli emissaries), continued to serve Jewish communities big and small, working in synagogues, schools, summer camps and more, acting as living bridges to the Jewish state.