I Came for the Community, I Left with a Purpose

Four young adults smiling at a table during a social gathering. Two women are standing behind a seated woman and man. The background features black and white photos and a yellow sign reading 'CHILL'.
Two young women sitting together inside a room, smiling at the camera. One has short brown hair, the other curly brown hair with glasses. They are sitting on a tan cushioned seat near a window.
Two people wearing animal-themed costumes pose together indoors, smiling at the camera. The person on the left wears a brown and beige costume resembling a lion or similar animal, while the person on the right wears a blue and yellow costume resembling a penguin or puffin.

I never expected to find a real sense of community at Hunter. People always say that making friends here is impossible—everyone is in a rush, running to class, commuting home, or heading to their next internship. But when I moved into my single-unit dorm, the loneliness hit me harder than I thought it would. I wanted something more, a place where I could connect with people who actually saw me.

That’s when I found Hunter Hillel. Or maybe, that’s when Hunter Hillel found me.

From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was met with warmth. There was an openness, a space where I could just be. The students, the staff—everyone welcomed me without hesitation. It didn’t take long before I started spending more time there, getting involved, and ultimately, finding my place within the community.

I grew up in an Orthodox environment where Jewish life had a specific framework, a clear set of expectations. But as I got older, I realized my Jewish identity wasn’t something rigid—it was something I wanted to shape for myself. At Hunter Hillel, I wasn’t just accepted for the version of myself I was figuring out—I was encouraged to explore, to embrace all the different parts of my identity. I found people who understood, who were asking the same questions, who made space for conversations that mattered.

Group of smiling people at an event, standing in front of a banner with the names Hunter, Hillel, Rita Levine, and Rabin.

Eventually, I became an Engagement Intern because I wanted to help others find what I found. I wanted to be the person who reached out to students who felt like I once did—unsure of where they belonged, searching for connection. Through Hillel, I also had the opportunity to participate in an incredible Perspectives trip to Israel. We were a group of diverse Jewish and non-Jewish student leaders, coming from different backgrounds, different experiences, and yet, finding common ground in the conversations we had. It was the kind of trip that changes the way you see the world and your place in it.

But beyond the programs and the trips, what has meant the most to me is the way Hunter Hillel shows up for its students. Whether it’s through a meal, a conversation, or even social work resources, they make sure we’re supported—spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. The staff has created a space where students feel heard, valued, and empowered to step into who they are meant to be.

Hunter Hillel has been more than a college experience for me. It’s been a home, a foundation, and a place where I’ve grown into a version of myself that I’m proud of.

–Leah Rubin, Hunter College ’24