Israel

Israel at BU Hillel

Our Vision
At BU Hillel, we want every Jewish student to have the opportunity to form a personal, meaningful relationship with Israel. We explore Israel’s complexity and beauty through immersive, educational, and cultural experiences that deepen identity, curiosity, and connection.

Our Approach
Students engage with Israel in many ways — through food and holidays, travel and storytelling, politics and prayer, memory and celebration. We offer a wide range of opportunities to explore Israeli life and society:

  • Trips & Travel: such as Israel Uncovered
  • Culture & Community: through Israeli food, film, music, and holidays
  • Education & Dialogue: including speakers, learning cohorts, and workshops
  • Commemoration & Celebration: including Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut
  • Peer Leadership: where students bring their own passions to life through programs and events

These diverse entry points give students a chance to engage with Israel on their own terms — through their hearts, minds, and lived experiences.

Signature Experiences

BU Birthright

Israel Uncovered

An immersive 10-day journey to Israel for student leaders — both Jewish and non-Jewish — to explore the land, people, and complexity of the region firsthand. The trip centers on building enduring campus partnerships and equipping students to return as thoughtful, informed leaders.
Summer 2025 applications open soon. To learn more or express interest, email Daniel Cohen.

 

Student-Led Israel Engagement (BU Jewish Leadership Team)

BU Hillel supports student creativity and leadership through our BLT (BU Jewish Leadership Team), which empowers students to design their own Israel-focused projects and events. With staff support and funding, students have brought to life:

  • Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut campus-wide commemorations
  • A basketball tournament raising funds for Magen David Adom, Israel’s national EMT service
  • A survivor testimony event with young adults who lived through the Nova Music Festival massacre on October 7
  • A letter-writing campaign in solidarity with Israeli students and teachers
  • A VR immersive experience focused on the October 7 attacks
  • A talk by a BU Holocaust scholar connecting memory to the founding of Israel
  • A visit from an IDF combat officer offering personal perspective on the current war

Interested in starting a new program? Email Daniel Cohen to learn how BU Hillel can help you bring it to life.

 

BUSI (Boston University Students for Israel)

BUSI is BU’s pro-Israel student club and a key partner of BU Hillel. BUSI offers educational events, political engagement, and cultural programming year-round — from holiday celebrations to policy discussions. Students can also apply to join the BUSI board and shape the future of Israel engagement on campus.

Mishelanu

BU Hillel proudly supports Mishelanu — a community for students with Israeli heritage. The club fosters friendships and cultural identity through Israeli-style Shabbat dinners, retreats, and holiday events. All programming is fully sponsored by BU Hillel.

Recent activities include:

  • A weekend Shabbaton for community building
  • A day retreat with food, bonding, and reflection
  • Multiple Israeli-style Shabbat dinners open to the community

Building Bridges Internship

This coalition-building internship supports cross-campus relationships through conversation and connection. Interns build relationships with non-Jewish student leaders and invite them into Israel-related experiences, including Israel Uncovered.
Interns receive mentorship from BU Hillel’s Jewish Agency Israel Fellow, Daniel Cohen. To learn more, contact dcohen1@bu.edu.

 

If you’d like to support our Israel programming or learn more about how we’re shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders, reach out to our team. Together, we’re helping students build lifelong connections to Jewish peoplehood, identity, and the State of Israel.

Staff Contacts

Daniel Cohen enters his first year in 2024-25 as Jewish Agency Israel Fellow. He is originally from Migdal HaEmek, Northern Israel. He graduated with distinction in Psychology and Criminology, and during his last year, he participated in a specialized program for students with academic excellence. Daniel began his military service in the IDF with combat training in the Golani Brigade. Later, he served as a combat fighter securing the Syrian border and was entrusted with leading communication under the deputy Brigade commander of the 474 Brigade. Daniel’s professional experience includes three years in non-formal education, focusing particularly on youth at risk. Daniel enjoys running and spending time outdoors. Email Daniel at dcohen1@bu.edu.