Student Leadership & Engagement
At Texas Hillel, we believe in helping to develop students into future Jewish leaders through internships, mentoring and training programs, and leadership positions. This includes the Student Executive Cabinet, which consists of a group of student leaders who work closely with Texas Hillel staff members to facilitate Jewish life on campus. Through weekly meetings and a range of activities, the Executive Cabinet works hard to offer diverse programming and build relationships with Jewish students, campus organizations, and the community.
One of our favorite programs is the First Impression Internship (FII), where students serve as the face of Texas Hillel! They greet students, families, and donors with a smile, welcoming them to the building and helping them get settled or taking them on tours of the space. Our staff is dedicated to giving FIIs the tools they need to move forward in taking on more leadership roles at Hillel!
Texas Hillel is also part of Hillel International’s Campus Engagement Internship program. Campus Engagement Interns (CEIs) are trained to identify and build relationships with students who might not otherwise get involved with Jewish life. CEIs work hard to understand students’ interests, passions, and aspirations and connect them to opportunities they may find meaningful and engaging.
Over 103 Student Leaders!
Student Executive Cabinet
Together, Student Executive Cabinet serves the overall interests of Jewish students on campus. This group meets weekly and is responsible for a wide array of duties that allow Hillel to serve as many students as possible through outreach, engagement, and leadership development. Each member works with their individual staff point to implement and execute their portfolios. Exec Cab is responsible for Welcome Week initiatives, ensuring that Shabbat runs smoothly each week, and working to create a vibrant and welcoming Jewish community on campus. These positions are competitive and receive a stipend each semester.
Weinberg Philanthropy Leadership Program
This new program designed for Texas Hillel’s current and future student leaders. It is a highly experiential program designed to inspire and empower student leaders and cultivate the skills they will need to become future board members, philanthropists, professionals, and leaders who will positively shape and impact their communities. Students will learn how to analyze community needs, complete due diligence for organizations working in critical service areas in the community, establish grant criteria and fund priority objectives, review grant requests, and make final grant decisions. Many of the skills learned in this program are highly transferable to a broad range of careers and activities.
Jobs and Internships
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As part of a yearlong cohort experience, FAB interns connect with and recruit Birthright Israel-eligible students, and plan at least one event per semester to promote Birthright Israel on their campus. Ambassadors for Birthright (FAB) creates community and leadership development opportunities for students who are passionate about introducing their peers to the power and inspiration of a Birthright Israel trip. FAB participants are selected by their campus IACT Coordinators, who inspire and support young adults on their Jewish journeys before, during, and after trips to Israel.
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Meet weekly with the VP of Engagement to discuss Hillel’s engagement strategy, get coffee with both interested and uninvolved students to share more about Hillel’s resources, attend regular events, and create hype about getting involved. $150 stipend per semester plus A LOT of free coffee.
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Work with Texas Hillel’s Development and Operations teams to learn more about what nonprofit work looks like. Assist with development events in Austin, communicate with vendors, work on Hillel’s marketing, serve as Hillel’s representative during rental events, and more! $500 stipend per semester.
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Work with Texas Hillel’s Development team on fundraising efforts that allow us to provide incredible programs and experiences to students. Assist with development events, communicate with donors, serve on fundraising committees, and more! $500 stipend per semester.
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First Impression Interns (FIIs) are the first person to welcome people to Hillel and create a welcoming atmosphere from the front desk! Responsible for running the front desk, signing students in, reception, and more. This group is supervised by a Head FII and the Operations Manager, who host monthly professional development meetings. Paid hourly and runs either during the school year or year-round. If you are interested, please email Ayala Huber.
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Summer Interns have the opportunity to help to create a welcoming environment for incoming students who are visiting campus during summer Orientation sessions. These interns work with the Jewish Student Life team on proactively reaching out to incoming students to be sure they know about all Hillel has to offer. Summer interns also table each week at campus org fairs, plan a weekly Tuesday dinner for new and returning students, and help run the Hillel building during summer hours. $350 stipend.
Do you need internship credit for a class? Talk to us! We’re happy to see if we can make it work.
Other Ways to Get Invovled
Texas Hillel serves as a home to a number of student organizations. As an org leader, you are passionate about getting students involved in learning more about what your org does! Every org is different and we encourage you to speak with a current leader or a staff member if you’re interested in getting involved or taking a leadership position. Have an idea for an org that doesn’t exist yet? Let us help you make it happen!
Students also serve in leadership roles to plan Texas Hillel’s annual Israel Block Party event. Israel Block Party is the premiere and largest pro-Israel event on a college campus in North America. IBP is overseen by two event chairs as well as a team of leaders who work in programming, fundraising, marketing, logistics, and volunteer recruitment. Students work with the Jewish Student Life team to ensure the event runs smoothly while showcasing Israeli culture, innovation, values, and more.