The Hillel Jewish Student Cultural Center celebrated its birthday with a grand celebration that brought together over 50 students, alumni, partners, and friends of the organization. This evening was not only a celebration but also an opportunity to reflect on the journey traveled, remember the brightest moments of the center’s history, and thank everyone who had developed and supported the community over three decades.
The celebration took place in a warm rooftop atmosphere, where participants together turned the pages of Hillel’s history—from its early years to the present day. Over 30 years, the center has become a place where thousands of young people discovered Jewish culture, found friends, realized their own initiatives, studied, traveled, and grew together with the community.
Longtime friends and partners of the organization joined in the congratulations: “Natіv – Israeli Cultural Center” in Dnipro, Solomonika JSCC, Shahar AJT, and Moishe House Dnipro. Each expressed warm wishes and noted the many years of cooperation, thanks to which dozens of joint projects for the city’s Jewish youth were made possible.
A special moment was the online greeting from Hillel CASE Regional Director Osik Axelrud, who wished the organization continued development, thanked the team for their dedication, and promised to visit Dnipro personally as soon as it becomes possible.
During the official part of the evening, Alona Kolpina, Director of Hillel JSCC Dnipro, summarized the organization’s work, spoke about the main achievements of recent years, and emphasized the symbolic significance of the number 30 in Jewish tradition. In her speech, she also shared her personal “kabbalat tov”—a good promise she made to Hillel as its director, underscoring her responsibility for the organization’s future and her desire to continue developing a strong, open, and active student community.
An integral part of the evening was the sharing of memories. Guests recalled their own journeys at Hillel, participated in interactive activities, viewed archival photographs, and created a joint “Hillel 30” memory board, which became a symbol of the history written by hundreds of people over three decades.
The highlight of the celebration was a large festive cake. Before cutting it, each participant left a wish for Hillel, making this moment especially heartfelt and symbolic. After the official part, the celebration continued with music, dancing, informal conversation, and warm reunions of those whom Hillel had once brought together.
Ahead for Hillel are new projects, new meetings, and new generations of students who will continue to write the history of this great Jewish family.
The Jewish Community of Dnipro and our website wish the Hillel Jewish Student Cultural Center from the bottom of their hearts continued success in fulfilling its most important and noble mission, and comprehensive and confident development toward continuing to make the world a better place.
