IARA DIRCIE

IACT Israel 
Engagement Director

We are so proud of UF Hillel's own Iara Dircie, IACT Israel Engagement Director, and Birthright Director on completing her Masters Degree in International Business @ UF. 

UF HILLEL GRADUATING SENIORS

JACKIE BRENNER
Song Lea...

Illustration by Creative Intern Hannah Kline

Spring Break 2019 was such an incredible experience for me. I participated in the University of Florida Hillel Alternative Spring Break, with Repair the World NYC. Five students from the University of Florida Hillel, spent fi...

As the summer of 2018 was quickly approaching, I decided that I wanted to staff my first Birthright trip to visit Israel another time and to further my knowledge of Judaism. I knew that my Birthright experience as a staffer would be different from as a Birthright parti...

Every February, Black History Month is celebrated across America. The triumphs and achievements of African Americans are remembered and recognized.

As members of the Jewish community, we know how important it is to celebrate what makes us unique. Both the Jewish people...

This month at UF Hillel we have been highlighting leadership development and what it means to find your voice. As someone who helps others develop these skills, here are some things I wish I had known or have learned along the way.

1. Finding Your Voice Requires Ongoing...

Ozi v’zimrat yah, vayahi li lishuah. 

My Strength (balanced) with the Song of God will be my salvation (Psalm 118:14, Exodus 15:2). 

“In this practice I find and express my strength, my will, my effort and desire when I chant ‘Ozi’. When I chant ‘v’zimrat yah’, I open an...

Leadership. It is probably the most valued characteristic. How you lead your life and how you lead others are synonymous. While on a college campus, it is commonplace to be convinced to take on a leadership position to boost your resume and we often take on too many re...

I had a unique upbringing for a few reasons, one of those reasons being that I was raised in an interfaith home, or rather two homes between my divorced parents. My mom is Jewish while my dad is Mormon, an uncommon mix. According to an article by The New York Jewish We...

Let’s face it - students in college and those who have just graduated, don’t have the greatest record on voter participation.

Many believe that Millennials don’t vote because they are lazy, entitled, and selfish. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

This generati...

 When we hear of these tragedies, we are reminded of the rising anti-Semitism, the rising racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and transphobia in our country. We are reminded of how these movements have been given new voices in recent years. We think “how could this happen...