The living archive of a century

“This photo is from Freshman fellowship, 2014! Berkeley Hillel brought me some of my dearest friends, countless learning opportunities, and wonderful adventures…”

Sarah Goldwasser

Class of 2018

“This was the most surreal and majestic moment I've ever experienced: snow in the shuk in Jerusalem. As a freshman, I went on Birthright with Berkeley Hillel in…”

Shauna Satnick

Class of 2018

“We loved Hillel, from bbq to Shabbat services and dinner to Challah for Hunger. Here we are making challah!”

Aaron Baskin

Class of 2013

“Undisputedly the best place on campus, with the best Rabbi and the greatest people”

Amnon Marmor

Class of 2024

“Berkeley Hillel gave us so many leadership opportunities and resources to create the Jewish experiences that meant something to us. From hosting the Israeli…”

Rebecca Powell

Class of 2013

“One of my most important communities in college was Kol Hadov, Berkeley Hillel's a cappella group. The group included some HIllel regulars like myself, but also…”

Rebecca Powell

Class of 2013

“Berkeley Hillel was a place I could stop by any time to recharge, refresh, connect with the Jewish community, and make life long friendships. Some of my best…”

“Hillel was definitely my home away from home and these wonderful friends are still my best friends today! Mid-way through my time at Cal, Hillel got a major…”

Sophia Gaynes

Class of 2016

““Tabling” on Sproul Plaza was a regular activity for many groups at Berkeley Hillel back in the day. The Israel Action Committee (IAC) was a familiar presence…”

Robby Kaufman

Class of 2006

“Booze and Schmooze with Rabbi Adam, Wednesday BBQs, Hillel Prom, and Finals week study tables!”

“Hillel was one of the 3 pillars that anchored my Berkeley experience. It was a warm and welcoming place to hang out with friends, but also so much more. The…”

Jessica (Oleon) Kirschner

Class of 2002

“Big Game 1995. We became friends in our freshman dorms, roommates, and celebrated holidays together at the Berkeley Hillel. 30+ years later we have celebrated…”

Amy Cantor

Class of 1999

“Building the sukkah with the brothers was a nice memory. It was the beginning and refounding of the Jewish fraternity after the pandemic and Hillel was always a…”

Nadav

Class of 2022

“I became involved with Berkeley Hillel after going on Birthright in winter of my Sophomore. By the time this picture was taken, I had enough Hillel/Jewish…”

Sarah Weiner

Class of 2014

“Wondering who you might see at Wednesday barbecues, bagels on the glade, passover seders, Hillel Formal, or during study spots when the library got too full (or…”

“From awareness of my ignorance of Hebrew. To first love. To being the first female elected president of Hillel. To Rabbi Gumbiner’s urging me to apply for a…”

“It's so hard to encapsulate the Berkeley Hillel experience in one photo. For me, Hillel was a place of comfort, connection and belonging on a very large campus.…”

Annie Pill

Class of 2017

“Berkeley Hillel was my home away from home during college. It was where I went every week to meet friends, enjoy shabbat dinner, and take a break between…”

Noah Stern

Class of 2012

“Didn’t have a Bat Mitzvah when I was 12; our Conservative synagogue made them optional for girls. (And back then Bat Mitzvahs were only held on Friday nights…”

Sharon Rennert

Class of 1981

“Like the Golden Gate, which I traversed on the fabulous freshman retreat, Berkeley Hillel was a bridge — to great friendships, to meaningful social action, and…”

Jeff Goodman

Class of 2010

“The Bears For Israel leadership team (pictured) planned a concert with Idan Raichel at the Magnes Museum! It was a packed house, and such a cool opportunity…”

Ariela Hekmat

Class of 2020

“When I landed in Cal as a fresh Israeli grad student, Berkeley Hillel was one of the first places I went to find a community. The grad student community in…”

Alon Amid

“Berkeley Hillel night out at BAMPFA Film Festival”

Rudy Abrams

Class of 2020

“The inaugural Berkeley Hillel Student board!”

Rudy Abrams

Class of 2020

“The Grand Re-Opening Event for the new Hillel Building!”

Rudy Abrams

Class of 2020

“Hanging a mezuzah in the finished new building!”

Rudy Abrams

Class of 2020

“Tabling on Sproul!”

Rudy Abrams

Class of 2020

“This photo was taken at my wedding in June of 2026, almost 10 years after I first stepped foot in Berkeley Hillel. I met my husband Sam at Hillel, and our…”

Rudy Abrams (née Brandt)

Class of 2020

“Staff photo at end of year Senior Shabbat 2007. Noga (class of ‘05), Michal, and Nina were staff at Berkeley Hillel.”

Noga Firstenberg

Class of 2005

“A legendary Purim bash with me dressed as IKEA man, Tohar as the Campanile, Ben as a Bamba baby. Hillel was my place to express myself, embrace my Israeli and…”

Ron Barzilay

Class of 2023

“Instant community. Lifelong friends. From my first Shabbat at Berkeley Hillel, it already felt like I already had a second home.”

Matthew Dworkin

Class of 2023

“Any time I had an idea for an event, I would go upstairs to Emily's office and we would find a way to make it happen. This photo is from the event I am most…”

Dan Grushkevich

Class of 2021 & 2026

“This photo is at the reception for our son's wedding. Back in the early 90's, we were science and engineering graduate students at Cal. When the spring semester…”

Susan Sharfstein

Class of 1993

“Heeb w/ Chava”

Seth Elbgal

Class of 2024

“Enriching Wednesday Talmud classes with Rav Maya and peers from the law school! Berkeley Hillel was a home across the street, a welcome space of support and…”

“Imagine my surprise walking into Berkeley Hillel in the early 1950’s and finding my childhood Rabbi from Tucson, AZ, Rabbi Gumbiner, was now the Berkeley Hillel…”

Ron Kaufman

Class of 1955

“The guys of the 2007/2008 Hillel Birthright Trip”

Steven Ostrow

Class of 2008

“Berkeley was the life.”

Dima Mostovoy

Class of 2006

“This picture outside of strada was taken on our first trip to Berkeley together.”

Aviv Gilboa

Class of 2013

“Jewish Students Association at Berkeley Law graduation party!”

Charlotte Aaron

Class of 2024

“Hillel, in the 60s, was the only real Jewish connection we had.”

Jeffrey A Carmel, M.D.

Class of 1963

“Traveling to New Orleans on an Alternative Spring Break trip to help rebuild communities affected by Hurricane Katrina.”

Oren Gabriel

Class of 2008

“Hillel taught me that I could make Jewish community happen.”

“I met my wife because Hillel brought people together.”

“I felt like I was taken under their wing.”

“Hillel taught me how to weave community.”

“Hillel taught me how I wanted to be Jewish.”

“It was our space, too.”