Stetson student on Hillel Cabinet

WASHINGTON DC - Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, announced today the 20 members of the 2021-2022 Hillel International Student Cabinet. One of those selected is Lana Kolchinsky, Class of 2022, who will serve on the Hillel International Student Cabinet representing Stetson University.

"Lana is the two term president of Hillel, incoming student government president, and the first Stetson student selected for the Hillel cabinet," said Sam Friedman, Stetson Hillel director.

The cabinet shares their advice, opinions and perspectives with Hillel International's leadership to help Hillels engage Jewish college students everywhere. 

The members comprise a diverse cohort and were selected to represent a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and interests. They hail from colleges and universities of varying sizes and are engaged in many different areas of study. The members were selected through a highly competitive process.

"The Hillel International Student Cabinet embodies everything that the Hillel movement strives to be," said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman. "This group of student leaders from diverse backgrounds and unique Jewish journeys works together to ensure that Hillel is a home for every Jewish student. This past year, the Student Cabinet played an essential role in helping Hillels shape programs and experiences that met students' needs during the isolation of the pandemic. I know this year's Student Cabinet will be a key voice in helping Hillel's transition back to on-campus programming and find other ways to connect students across the Hillel movement."

This year, the members represent three countries – the United States, Canada, and Israel - and 12 states. The cabinet will also serve as a vehicle to connect Jewish college students to their peers throughout the world, by leveraging the global Hillel network. Currently, Hillel operates on more than 550 college campuses and in 17 countries.

"Serving on the student cabinet has been such an enriching part of my college, Jewish, and Hillel experiences, giving me unique opportunities for leadership and development. I am looking forward to working with this incredible new cabinet," said incoming co-chair Jade Gordon, a member of the class of 2022 at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. 

Co-chair Ben Lefkowitz of Emory University, also a member of the class of 2022, added, "While this has been an incredibly difficult year, the Hillel movement has grown exponentially as we are continually reminded of the need for a pluralistic and strong Jewish community on our campus. I am incredibly excited to utilize this momentum as we move back to our campuses and use this unique opportunity to help redefine what it means to be a Hillel student."