Latest Posts

Alternative Spring Break 2016 – San Marcos, Texas

Written by: Hannah Giterman on March 8th, 2016

Howdy y’all from Penn State Hillel’s 2016 Alternative Spring Break trip in Texas! Last year, the area of San Marcos, Texas was declared a zone of natural disaster after the flooding that occurred here. We teamed up with the JDRC and Nechama (and the Saint Bernard Project) to help repair homes in this area that… read more

Want to play a role at this year’s Passover Seder?

Written by: Hannah Giterman on March 1st, 2016

As Passover is quickly approaching us we are looking for people who would be interested in leading our various Seders. We are currently looking for leaders for the following Seder’s (all are on the 22nd of April): Traditional Seder On one Foot (an abridged version of a traditional Passover Seder) Freedom Seder (a Seder focusing… read more

Unlocking My Jewish Identity by Caitlin Wolper

Written by: Hannah Giterman on February 15th, 2016

Unlocking My Jewish Identity by Caitlin Wolper, BA/MA English ’17     My first international flight, in a way, brought me home. We landed around five in the afternoon, Tel Aviv hinting toward sunset as we shook out our shoulders from the eleven hour trip. Spilling into the airport, we all tried to message our parents:… read more

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on January 22nd, 2016

1/21/2016 – Jewish Chronicle – With service in mind, Penn State Hillel students apply tikkun olam in Honduras

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on January 20th, 2016

1/20/2016 – The Collegian – Penn State Hillel Will Soon Be Operating From Downtown Onward State – Penn State Hillel To Open Massive Downtown Community Center

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on January 12th, 2016

December 31, 2015 – Jewish Exponent – We Are… Redesigning  the Structure of Penn State Hillel 

Winter Break In Poland

Written by: Hannah Giterman on January 12th, 2016

From December 28 – January 4 Penn State Hillel, with a partnership with Aish Penn State, another Jewish group on campus, took 26 students to travel around Poland to learn about its history – from its beginning in the 1300s thru World War II and the Holocaust specifically. In just under a week, students visited… read more

Alternative Winter Break – Roatan, Honduras – 1/2 through 1/9

Written by: Hannah Giterman on January 5th, 2016

Alternative Winter Break – Roatan, Honduras – 1/2 through 1/9 Day 1: It’s Sunday in Roatan. For residents of the island, it is a day for going to church, doing the week’s laundry, and relejando, relaxing. For our group, it means a delay in building Fernando and his family a new home. So what else… read more

Chicken Soup For The Soul

Written by: Hannah Giterman on December 8th, 2015

Hillel International – 12/8/2015 – Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hillel Hotlines Have Sick Students Covered and Hillel Soup Hotline Bling

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on December 4th, 2015

The Collegian – December 1 – Local community members, organizations give back on Giving Tuesday

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on December 2nd, 2015

The Collegian – December 2, 2015 – Speaker Scott Fried visits Penn State to talk about World AIDS Day and self-acceptance    

Vayetze D’var – November 2015 – A Look Back with Orly Olbum

Written by: Hannah Giterman on November 24th, 2015

Vayetze D’var  – November 2015   Orly Olbum celebrates the 8 year anniversary of her Bat Mitzvah this month by reflecting back on her D’var Torah. Orly shared with us her original reflection from her Bat Mitzvah, and wrote a new one to examine how the portion relates to her life today. Thanks for sharing, Orly!… read more

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on November 23rd, 2015

The Collegian – November 19, 2015 – An open letter to our community regarding swastikas being drawn on area bus stops

First Annual Jewish Leaders Gala – 11/18/2015

Written by: Hannah Giterman on November 20th, 2015

On Wednesday, November 18, 2015, Penn State Hillelannounced and celebrated its brand-new leadership structure with its first Jewish Leaders Gala. 130 Jewish student leaders, campus and community partners, and Penn State Hillel Board members welcomed special guest speakers President Eric Barron, Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims, and several outstanding students. Thank you to… read more

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on November 16th, 2015

Onward State – November 16, 2015 – Penn State Board Of Trustees Welcomes Two New Members

Shabbox Shalom! Jewish life lights up across campus

Written by: Hannah Giterman on November 13th, 2015

State College, PA, November 13, 2015 – ‘Shabbox Shalom!’ set to launch the week of November 16, hopes to empower students to create their own Jewish space on campus. For the first time ever, Penn State Hillel helps students bring Shabbat home by providing a ‘Shabbox’ for personal weekly Shabbat ritual. ‘Shabbox Shalom’ created by… read more

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on November 2nd, 2015

The Collegian – October 29, 2015 –  Penn State Hillel participates in Comprehensive Excellence Pilot program

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on October 23rd, 2015

The Jewish Chronicle – October 22, 2015 – Metro Briefs

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on October 23rd, 2015

Penn State News – October 23, 2015 – Penn State Hillel makes the most of transformational grant

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on October 23rd, 2015

The Jewish Voice – October 21, 2015 – Penn State Hillel Makes the Most of Transformational Grant

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on October 22nd, 2015

TIME Magazine, October 21, 2015 – ‘American Students Visiting Israel Not Dissuaded by Unrest‘ featuring Penn State Hillel’s Community Engagement Associate, Hannah Giterman  

In The News

Written by: Hannah Giterman on October 19th, 2015

The Daily Collegian – October 16, 2015 – ‘Is Faith Straight?’ talk combines religious and LGBTQA communities