Hillel International awarded Minnesota Hillel with the Excellence Award, which recognizes initiatives that a Hillel chapter has achieved excellence in a particular area. Minnesota Hillel’s flagship Kane Family Ha’atid Leadership Fellowship won the award, which was announced at the annual Hillel International General Assembly (HIGA).
The Kane Family Ha’atid Leadership Fellowship is Minnesota Hillel’s flagship Jewish education initiative, cultivating the generation of student leaders by integrating Jewish learning with community building and leadership development. Designed as a selective cohort program, this Fellowship provides students with text-based Jewish learning, one-on-one mentorship, and opportunities to apply Jewish wisdom to their leadership roles on campus. Now in its fifth year, the Fellowship is a cornerstone of Minnesota Hillel’s educational vision and a model for sustainable leadership development.
Mort Kane (left) with a past cohort of the Kane Family Ha’atid Leadership Fellowship. (submitted)
More than 125 students have participated in this robust, 10-session program, exploring topics from Israel to philanthropy to constructive dialogue. Fellows graduate with stronger Jewish identities, deeper peer connections, and an enduring commitment to Jewish life and learning.
One participant reflected, “This fellowship is where I found my people. It wasn’t just about becoming a Jewish leader, but about forging deep, lasting relationships with others who share my identity.” Another noted, “I found the Fellowship sessions impactful because they left me with questions I continue to reflect on. The sessions that leave you wondering are the most important.”
The Fellowship cultivates motivated leaders: 80% of Fellowship alumni take on Jewish campus leadership roles within a year, and many continue their involvement post graduation with 20 young alumni currently working in the Minnesota Jewish Community and more serving in lay leadership roles across the world. Minnesota Hillel is grateful to the Kane Family for their generous support and vision in helping to make this fellowship a reality.
“The Kane Family Ha’atid Leadership Fellowship is the heart of what we do at Minnesota Hillel, and winning the Excellence Award at this year’s HIGA is a testament to the incredible dedication of our staff, students, and community,” said Emily Boskoff, executive director of Minnesota Hillel. “Our team is committed to creating meaningful experiences and building lasting connections to Jewish life, learning, and Israel.”
Selected for their contributions to advancing Hillel’s mission of enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, this year’s awardees were honored during a ceremony that celebrated their excellence and dedication.
“This recognition is a testament to the exceptional work happening at Minnesota Hillel,” said Adam Lehman, Hillel International President and CEO. “They’re creating vibrant Jewish student communities that foster Jewish joy, meaning and belonging. Their incredible work is shaping the Jewish students of today and the Jewish leaders for the future.”
Wow, a wonderful honor for our Hillel! Nice overview, but I was hoping for more details. For example, who are the direct leaders that made this program a success? Sure, the new director is quoted. It would be more interesting to me to hear the veteran staff’s perspective as well. How are the participants contributing after the “graduate” from the program. What makes our local program unique. Just some thoughts. Keep up the good work! Thanks
BB