What a semester it has been for Challah for Hunger! Our organization has gone through some massive changes this semester, and it is clear that we are only growing stronger as time passes.

A little bit of background: for those of you who aren't familiar with the group, Challah for Hunger is a national non-profit organization that brings people together to bake and sell challah with the goal of raising money and awareness for social justice issues. Chapters around the world operate weekly, baking and selling their homemade loaves of challah, often in creative flavors like chocolate chip, rosemary garlic, cinnamon sugar, pumpkin spice, and pesto parmesean--the possibilities are endless! Each chapter donates 50% of its profits to the American Jewish World Service in Sudan, and chooses local organizations to support with the other half of its profits.

Rachel Globus comes to Hillel at Emory with extensive experience in a variety of non-profit leadership roles. Rachel earned her MSW from the University of Georgia in 2004. She served as a clinical therapist and the Director of the Village of St. Joseph Counseling Center. Since 2007, Rachel has worked as the guidance counselor and Advancement Officer for Yeshiva Atlanta.

"I am inspired by the tremendous leadership capacity of Emory students. I see them as the future of our Jewish community, which is why I am excited to be in this new role advancing Hillel's vision of ensuring a vibrant Jewish future," said Rachel. "I look forward to working as a key leader on the Hillels of Georgia team to continue to strengthen our programming and financial resource development."

A native Georgian, Rachel is active in the diverse Jewish life of Atlanta. She is a member of Young Israel of Toco Hills, has served on the board of Torah Day School and chaired committees for Habima Theater, Yeshiva Atlanta and Taste of Limmud. Rachel received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta in 2004 and has been honored by Yeshiva Atlanta (2009 Alumna of the Year) and Torah Day School (2006 Development Award). Rachel lives in Atlanta with her four children: Levi (13), Atara (10), Sara (7) and Azi (3).

Rachel Globus will begin as Interim Director of Hillel at Emory on January 1.

Emory's Children of Abraham group, organized jointly by Hillel and Muslim Student Association student leaders meets regularly through dialogue, shared values and social action projects.

Emory junior Jessica Ginsberg, who co-chairs Children of Abraham, helped organize projects to mark the "Weekend of Twinning" - a national intitative to foster positive relationships between Muslims and Jews - on the weekend before Thanksgiving. The group joined together to engage in a service project to feed roughly 100 Clarkston refugees hot meals.

With Goodfriend's Grill at Ray's Bistro inside the Marcus Hillel Center at Emory, kosher food at Emory has never been the same - nor will it ever again. The food is not only delicious and well priced. It also has become a beacon for students, faculty and community members alike creating a veritble melting pot of Jews and non-Jews from all over campus.

Reviewed recently by The Emory Wheel, Hillel's kosher eatery got thumbs up for its variety and student-friendly prices. It also was the subject of a recent column in the Atlanta Jewish Times by Dr. Mark L. Fisher, a local college and career consultant and college counselor for Yeshiva Atlanta.

Dear Parents, Alumni & Friends,

When I visited Emory for the first time, I sat down with the Hillel program director to learn about Jewish life at Emory. I knew I wanted to maintain my Judaism in college and wanted to make sure that I would be able to do that at Emory. Within a few minutes of talking to her, it became evident that Emory was not just a place I could go to maintain my Judaism, but also a place I could cultivate and grow my Jewish connection. This short meeting was a big part of why I decided – that very day – that Emory was the place for me.

It’s amazing how small things like this can mak all the difference – an encounter and conversation that helped set me on a meaningful path. Over the past two years, I have seen how Hillel at Emory harnesses the power of “small things” to inspire hugely meaningful Jewish experiences.

My Jewish journey at Emory started with the Hillel whitewater rafting trip. I bonded with the students who have since become my best friends. I also got the opportunity to meet and learn from student leaders in Hillel. I wanted to be part of that welcoming, warm community. I wanted to help Hillel reach out to other students like me so that the Emory Jewish community could continue to thrive.

I am proud to now be in a position of leadership to help set the vision for Jewish life at Emory and ensure that every student feels as welcomed and as valued as I have felt. This has been an exceptional year so far.