Patti Zakow stood in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris on a Jewish walking tour. As the guide pointed to the sculptures of Ecclesia and Synagoga above the cathedral’ s main portal and asked if anyone recognized

gal and triumphant, while the synagogue appeared humbled and blinded, holding a broken staff as the Torah slipped from her hand. Then, she spoke about a modern sculpture in Philadelphia that reimagines Ecclesia

with you. It travels. And it profoundly changes how you see the world.

That commitment to lifelong Jewish learning continues to shape the university’ s work, even as the broader landscape evolves. Now concluding its ninth year of signature Jewish Studies community courses, Queens remains deeply invested in creating courses as well as spaces where ideas are explored thoughtfully, with intention and in community.

This spring, 36 participants gathered for“ Liberal Zionism: Between Crisis and Aspiration,” a course taught in partnership with the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center. It explored moral complexity and encouraged thoughtful, nuanced conversations about Israel.

Undergraduates are equally engaged, with courses ranging from“ Mind-Blowing Ideas That Changed the World” to“ The Bible: Who’ s In, Who’ s Out?” As the university looks ahead, plans are already underway for another year of offerings, from Jewish art history to spiritual wellness and interfaith exploration.

“ We take great pride in sharing the wellspring of Jewish wisdom with our students, faculty, and the broader community,” said Rabbi Judy Schindler.“ As summer approaches, bringing a kind of Shabbat pause to the programming calendar, the campus is celebrating a year marked by growth, connection, and extraordinary engagement.”

This dynamic engagement is perhaps most visible in Queens Hillel and Jewish Life, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this past year. What began as a growing program has become a central part of campus life, offering

students a place to gather, explore identity, and build community.

The numbers tell part of the story. Under the leadership of Andy Harkavy, director of Hillel & Jewish Life, Jewish student enrollment has increased by 33 percent over the past two years, while overall engagement has grown by 334 percent. In 2026 alone, participation rose from 319 to 589 reflecting an 85 percent increase.

However, the fuller story is also found in everyday moments. Students gather for Shabbat dinners, participate in the creation of original programming, and bring Jewish life into shared campus spaces in ways that feel both rooted and new. From“ Sushi in the Sukkah” to Chanukah celebrations and culinary explorations of Israeli cuisine, Jewish life at Queens is lived, not simply observed.

As one student leader shared,“ I know that wherever I go, I’ ll carry with me the confidence, friendships, and exploration of my Jewish journey I found here at Queens Hillel.”

And that deep sense of belonging extends beyond campus.

Through initiatives like the Charlotte Black / Jewish Alliance, Queens continues to foster meaningful dialogue across communities. Last month, the alliance partnered with Johnson C. Smith University to host its third annual Passover Seder, modeled as a“ Freedom Seder” inspired by the civil rights activist, Arthur Waskow. As cofounder

Cindy Kistenberg explained, the gathering highlighted shared histories of struggle and liberation.“ We have drawn parallels between Black enslavement and the Exodus story,” she said.“ Especially now, it is important to highlight the shared history of advocacy for civil and human rights.”

The university’ s commitment to social transformation is also evident through its social justice and community organizing certification program, which trained 20 new organizers this academic year.

For Queens University, these stories point to something larger. Jewish life here is not confined to a single program or partnership. It is woven into the fabric of the university. It is visible across classrooms, within community spaces, and in the lives of those who carry what they have learned far beyond campus. And that important work continues, each and every day.

To learn more about programs and membership, visit queens. edu / spirituallife / hillel To support Jewish Life at Queens, visit engage. queens. edu / register / supportjewishlife In the event of any questions, contact Rabbi Judy Schindler at schindlerj @ queens. edu.