Campus Israel Fellows | The Jewish Agency - U.S.Campus Israel Fellows

Campus Israel Fellows

Strengthening Jewish students and their connection to Israel

One of the priority initiatives of The Jewish Agency, in partnership with Hillel, the program brings dozens of Israeli young adults to college and university campuses around the world – to help fulfill these environments’ role as safe spaces for education, tolerance, and diversity.

College is a time for young Jews and non-Jews alike to learn new perspectives and explore issues that really matter to them. While college years give many students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about Israel, and even spend time studying in Israel, anti-Israel sentiment and activism are all too commonplace. Recently, North American campuses have seen an alarming rise in anti-Israel and antisemitic incidents with the growth of the BDS movement and the ongoing 2023 Israel-Hamas war.

The Jewish Agency recognizes the need to support Jewish college students in this hostile and challenging reality and is doing so by maintaining an authentic and engaging Israeli presence on campuses.

In partnership with Hillel, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, The Jewish Agency brings dozens of Israeli young adults to colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and around the world every year.

These Campus Israel Fellows, who have already served in the IDF and earned college degrees, spend one to two years working closely with Hillel to inspire students and faculty alike, connecting them with Israel and promoting Israel advocacy. The Fellow’s job is to confront attitudes toward Israel, substituting education for ignorance, while giving students a chance to develop a personal relationship with Israelis and learn what Israel is really all about. Passionate about Israel, they’re a valuable resource to students looking to learn about, engage with, and support Israel.

FEATURED STORIES
  • Having served as a Jewish Agency Israeli emissary before, Nethanel understood how meaningful Shlichut (emissary service) could be – so when he was asked to become a Jewish Agency Campus Israel Fellow in Montreal, he upended his life to take on the position.

    Read more
  • After serving as a Jewish Agency Summer Camp Israeli emissary years ago, Lior was excited to return to the U.S. as a Campus Israel Fellow and have deep conversations about Israel and Judaism with students.

    READ MORE
  • In her role as an Israel Fellow at the University of Texas-Austin, Aviva is developing deep relationships with the students and helping this younger generation feel connected to Israel.

    READ MORE
  • When Doris finished serving as a Jewish Agency Campus Israel Fellow at the University of Virginia in May 2022, she had no idea she’d be back in the States acting as an Israel Fellow again so soon.