The living archive of a century

“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.”

“I took a 40% pay cut and got a 300% happiness increase.”

“Own it. Make it yours. Make it happen.”

“Hillel was the warmest hug.”

“Make people feel like they belong in the room.”

“For the first time, Judaism was mine to choose.”

“I met my best friends on the freshman retreat.”

“Unpack it. See what you want. Pack your own backpack.”

“That moment brought Jewish students together.”

“The building could be under construction, but Hillel kept going.”

“The value of Hillel lasted long after college.”

“Every Wednesday, we got to build the community.”

“Hillel made Berkeley feel a little smaller.”

“I found confidence by showing up”

“I was meeting people who would shape the next decade of my life.”

“At Hillel, I felt like I was part of the conversation.”

“Hillel gave me permission to claim Jewish identity for myself.”

“They cared whether I was actually thriving.”

“The people at that table became my people.”

“Belonging doesn’t happen automatically. Someone creates it.”

“Purim was a day of joy, resilience, and triumph.”

Adam Ahmad

Class of 2024

“Back in the 1970s Berkeley Hillel was a wonderful meeting place for open communication on almost any topic.”

Gary M Decad

Class of 1976

“My mom and sister and I attended this wonderful event.”

Annette Fineberg

Class of 1988

“A Family Story, Written at Berkeley Hillel”

“Finding Community Across a Divide”

“The Best Job I Could Have Had in College”

“Hillel Gave Me the Resources to Dream Bigger”

“I Knew It Was Going to Pull Me In”

“The Kitchen Became My Classroom”

“In a time of campus upheaval, Hillel was a steady anchor.”

“Berkeley Hillel taught me the true meaning of community.”

“We met at Hillel 50 years ago. It shaped everything that came after.”