An essay by Omer Hassman, Greater Philly Hillel Network’s Israel Fellow reflecting on his first year as he begins his second.
Arriving in Philly and Finding My Footing
My journey as an Israeli Fellow actually started long before I boarded a flight, through a series of Zoom calls from my home in Israel. Even through a laptop screen, the energy from the Greater Philly Hillel team was palpable. I could tell right away that I was stepping into something special.
When I finally landed in Philadelphia, that virtual warmth turned into real hands-on care. Jeremy was waiting at the airport to pick me up, driving me to my new home and making sure I was completely set up and comfortable for my very first weekend in the City of Brotherly Love. Walking inside, I saw the incredible work Jenn, Alyssa, and Rachel had put in. They had stocked and prepared everything I could possibly need to start a new chapter of my life thousands of miles away from home. Alyssa and Rachel even created a personalized Philly Cheat Sheet full of local recommendations, so I could start exploring the city right away.
One of my favorite early memories was our first team lunch together at a cute local café. Sitting around the table with everyone, sharing laughs and excitement for the year ahead, I knew I was not just joining a workplace. I was being welcomed into a family that had my back from day one.
West Chester University: My First Campus Home
West Chester University was the very first campus I visited, and looking back, I could not have asked for a better starting line. My first real introduction to the students was at a classic bagel brunch. Between grabbing food and chatting casually, I instantly felt a great vibe in the room.
Shortly after, I started scheduling one-on-one coffee chats with the WCU Hillel student board at the time: Galee, Ethan, Pearl, Jason, and Adam. Those were not just formal check-ins. They turned into deep, heartfelt conversations. Pretty quickly, it felt less like a professional meeting and more like sitting down with my own younger brothers and sisters. They did an awesome job leading the club, and through their eyes, I got my first real look into American campus life and what made their Hillel community so special. Starting my fellowship with their energy gave me the exact momentum and confidence I needed.
Villanova University: Heartfelt Connections in a Unique Setting
Stepping onto Villanova’s campus brought a totally different and exciting dynamic. As a Catholic university with a smaller Jewish student population and a younger Hillel club, the atmosphere was distinct from the start.
My journey there began with a Friday night Shabbat meal and a series of coffee chats with the student leaders at the time: Jamison, Ellia, Mimi, Rylan, Max, and Dan. From our very first conversations, I was blown away by how meaningful and heartfelt our interactions were. Despite being a smaller community, their passion was huge. Those chats sparked a real curiosity in me. I wanted to dive deeper, get to know more of the students, and figure out how we could work together to elevate and strengthen Jewish life on campus.
Bryn Mawr and Haverford: Language, Culture, and Community
My introduction to the Bi Co campuses took a unique path. It started with a meeting with one of their Hebrew professors, who gave me an eye-opening deep dive into the history of both Bryn Mawr and Haverford, as well as the current landscape for Jewish students on campus.
She kindly invited me to step into her classroom so the students could practice conversational Hebrew with a native speaker. Honestly, I was so impressed by their Hebrew level! Beyond the language practice, we built an effortless connection right away. Those classroom interactions naturally led to one-on-one coffee chats. Together, we decided to create a dedicated social space in their schedules, an extra slot where students could hang out, practice their Hebrew in a relaxed environment, and have open, authentic conversations with me about life in Israel.
Deeper Understanding, Stronger Bonds
Before taking this role, I had a belief that ultimately led me to accept the fellowship: that the global Jewish nation, especially in America and Israel, the two largest communities, needs to work closely together to build stronger relationships, networks, and support systems.
Living and working here did not just prove that belief right. It opened my eyes wider, my ears bigger, and my heart larger.
Through my everyday conversations on campus, I gained a much deeper understanding of American society, Jewish American history, and the unique cultural landscape here. I realized firsthand how much effort and intentionality Jewish communities in the US put into maintaining their identity, fostering community, and staying connected to Israel, especially in these challenging times.
Building a bridge between Israel and American Jewry is not about simple slogans. It is built through genuine empathy, active listening, and mutual understanding. When we take the time to truly learn about each other’s worlds, our bond becomes unbreakable.
To the incredible team at Greater Philly Hillel that welcomed me – Jeremy, Jenn, Alyssa, Rachel, and Marisa. The students who made my first year so special, and to every single student across West Chester, Villanova, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and beyond: Thank you! To the wonderful current team and students who are working with me nowadays on all the preparations for the second year of my fellowship here, I am so grateful for your partnership and energy. And to the entire Jewish community in Philly and around, thank you for opening your doors, sharing your stories, and making this journey so deeply meaningful.