Israel On Campus and Abroad

Engaging on Campus

Berkeley Hillel connects you with learning opportunities, fellowships, and student groups that explore Israel through multiple lenses.
for any question please contact Noga, our Israel Fellow.

Students with Israeli flag Yom Haatzmaut

 

Fellowships

Mishelanu

  • The fellowship is for Israeli-American students and covers important topics unique to Israeli-American students, such as identity, relationship to Israel, and leadership.
  • For more information about Mishelanu, contact our Israel Fellow, Noga Vilder.

Israel Fellowship for Spring Semester 2024

  • Unpacking Zionism(s) (6 Sessions, Begins March 4)
    This 6-week fellowship will explore the historical and modern context of Zionism, along with the multiple perspectives present in the debates surrounding it. Our learning will explore two core questions:  How do competing visions of Zionism align and differ? Both today and throughout history, what beliefs, values, and challenges have shaped Zionism and its proponents?

    Unpacking Zionism(s) will meet on March 4, 11, 18, April 1, 8, and 15th 5:00-6:00 pm.

  • Israeli Music Fellowship (8 Sessions, Begins February 13)
    Israel is not just about the conflict! (Shocking!) In this fellowship, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the diversity of Israeli music and to discover how it has been impacted by significant events in Israel’s history. Each lesson will focus on a different genre. We are going to enjoy a lot of music, and discussion, and have a lot of fun.

    Starting on February 13, the Israeli Music Fellowship will meet on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 pm.

Sign here for the fellowship!

Hebrew Chavurah

Hebrew learning for beginners! Join us once a week to learn Hebrew in a fun, low-pressure, interactive way! If you’re interested in learning the basics- the Aleph-Beit, and basic vocabulary this is for you. Hope to see you there!

For the Spring 2024 Semester, we are going to meet every Monday between 3-4.

Hummusiya

The Hummus never changes – the program does!
Come join us in our brand-new weekly program, starting Spring Semester 2024.
Every Tuesday 6-7:30 join us in experiencing and learning about Israeli culture in different ways while enjoying homemade Hummus!

6-6:30 – We make delicious Hummus in the kitchen
6:30-7:30 – We eat the Hummus and participate in a changing content

Student Groups

Run by and for students, representing different ways that Berkeley students relate to and engage with Israel.

Mishelanu

  • Mishelanu promotes an active and strong Israeli-American community on college campuses, to strengthen and maintain the next generation’s identity: culture, language, heritage, and strong connections to Israel.

Travel to Israel

Travel during Winter Break

Birthright:  Are you interested in traveling to Israel? Join us on our Birthright Israel trip with 40 other Berkeley students! For more information about this FREE program, check out the Birthright Israel page or contact our Israel Fellow, Noga Vilder.

Want to go for longer? Check out Onward Israel Summer Internships

  • Live, work, and play in Israel this summer while building your resume and making lifetime memories! Onward Israel offers exciting resume-building opportunities and internships, providing a global, cross-cultural experience in Israel and direct contact with Israeli peers.
  • If you are interested in spending a longer period in Israel, MASA Israel Journey provides resources to study, intern, and volunteer. Offering over 200 different opportunities, MASA provides young Jewish adults with connections to programs, grants, and scholarships towards program fees, as well as support, activities, workshops, and resources while in Israel.
  • For information about studying abroad in Israel, visit the Study Abroad page.

Campus & Community Partners

Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies

The Berkeley Institute houses two core programs, the Berkeley Program on Israel Studies, a nationally recognized initiative for the study of Israel, and the Berkeley Program on Jewish Law, Thought, and Identity, the only program of its type in the Western United States.

Together the Institute’s programs promote student and faculty engagement by developing opportunities for research, programming, and mentorship; by bringing visiting faculty and scholars to UC Berkeley; and by organizing colloquia, programs, and classes to strengthen academic inquiry and discourse across the Berkeley campus.

The Consulate General of Israel in SF 

  • Information about Israeli culture, news, products as well as consular services for Israeli citizens.

The Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay

  • The Jewish Federation based in Oakland serves Alameda and Contra Costa counties and supports a wide variety of Israel programming for adults, youth, and students.

Read Berkeley Hillel’s Israel Policy here