Sept. 2025
Maya Krieger

I vividly remember walking into my first-ever Hillel event, almost four years ago. I was welcomed with warmth, compassion, and enthusiasm, and I immediately knew this was a space and a group of people that would make me feel supported, safe, and authentic. Since then, Hillel has remained a constant in my life, especially in challenging times. I noticed the shift in campus energy after Oct. 7, 2023, which not only strengthened my connection to Hillel but also solidified my understanding of Hillel’s impact on so many other students. 

As I begin my journey as one of the 2025-26 Hillel McMaster co-presidents, I have been reflecting on my hopes and vision for the upcoming school year. One of my biggest hopes is to foster the same warmth and acceptance for incoming students that I felt when I started university. I want to continue outreach to all new Jewish students and ensure that each student knows the Hillel leadership team is there to support them, just as I have learned throughout my time in university. The more personal connections we can make and sustain throughout the year, the more united we will be as a Jewish community on campus. This unity ultimately serves as a foundation for resilience and a source of strength, enabling us to create meaningful change and have lasting impacts on individuals and the broader community in which we live.

I envision a space on campus where each student can feel proud of who they are, of their Judaism, and their heritage and their connection to Israel – especially in times when this feels exceptionally challenging. What makes McMaster Hillel special in my eyes is not only the events that we run throughout the year, but rather the leaders who emerge within the group. I hope to widen our community of leaders who not only support others but also empower them to grow into future Jewish leaders.

With each new year comes new challenges, but I have seen the impact of our community and what we can overcome when we are united. I am ready to work hard this year to strengthen our leaders and the Jewish community through programming that honours amazing Jewish traditions and history, while also creating lifelong memories and connections. 

Here’s to a year of learning, togetherness, and of course, tikvah, hope for the future!