We make Judaism fun, relevant, and meaningful.
Today’s Story
🤝 What we are:
We are a place: Our newly renovated building is open every weekday from 9:30am-5pm (later when we’re hosting events) for studying, hanging out, free snacks, good wifi, and more! We host a ton of events in our building every week - check them out!
We are a community: Hillel 818 prides itself on being inclusive and radically welcoming of all types of college students, Jews, and friends of the Jewish people. Whether you’re Ashkenasi or Sephardi, Orthodox or secular, Jewish or Jew-ish, Democrat or Republican, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent, or whether you're studying at CSUN, Pierce College, Valley College, or any other campus nearby, we've got your back!
We are a platform: Through Hillel 818 you have the opportunity to run programs on campus, in our building, at your home, or in the community. You can travel to Israel, become a community leader, and explore your heritage. We are here to fully support all the parts of your college journey that take place outside the classroom through a Jewish lens.
🎯 Why we do it: Our goal is crystal clear: we want to be the driving force behind your incredible Jewish journey. With over 6,500 Jewish students attending our campuses each year, we take great pride in making a lasting impact on YOUR life!
🌱 Making meaning, finding purpose: At Hillel 818, we're not just about programs and friendships, we’re also about nourishing your soul. We are a safe space to explore your tradition, discover your roots, and embark on a transformative journey of adventure and growth with like-minded people. College life will never be the same again!
🎉 Join the Fun Today! Don't miss out on this opportunity to make college memories that will last a lifetime. Come and be part of the Hillel 818 family – your home away from home!
Together, We Thrive!
The Hillel 818 Story
📍1958: Opening of San Fernando Valley State College and first chartered Hillel student club.
📍1960s: Move to current location at Plummer Street- was a literal house.
📍1986: Last major rennovation of Plummer Street Building.
📍2012: CSUN Hillel, Pierce College Hillel, and Valley College Hillel merge to form Hillel 818.
📍2014: Hillel 818 board dissolves itself, hires David Katz to be Executive Director.
📍2018: Receives Hillel International Outstanding Campus Award.
📍2019: Starts construction on complete building renovation. Hires Matt Baram as Executive Director.
📍2022: Awarded largest matching grant in Hillel International history.
🏠 2023: The new building opens!
Over the past century, Hillel has grown into the largest and most inclusive Jewish campus organization in the world.
Benjamin Frankel opens the first Hillel at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Our international story begins in 1923.
In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at more than 550 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.
Hillel 818 is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.
Hillel in the 1970s celebrating its 50th anniversary.
