Born largely in 1992, today’s freshmen will delight – if not surprise – their parents by becoming the graduating class of 2014 in four years. Here, then, are the Jewish ideas that are kicking around in the minds of today’s first-year students.

More than 400 people - freshmen, families, and current student leaders - packed into the Marcus Hillel Center this morning for Hillel’s annual Bagel Brunch. Held for the first time in the new center, the Brunch is an annual tradition that kicks off the new school year with a lot of positive energy. Goodfriend's Grill served up freshly baked H&H bagels, direct from Manhattan.

Seventeen Jewish student groups at Emory had representatives at a fair showcasing a literal buffet of opportunities to get connected to Jewish life on campus. From Jewish fraternities and sororities to Israel advocacy and social justice groups, Hillel is proud to serve as a platform for diverse Jewish campus life.

As a recent article in the New York Times suggests, the bagel brunch is a truly significant event in the lives of these families. Hillel creates a special venue for students and parents to say farewell in the context of the supportive, nurturing community More photos after the break.

U.S. News & World Report released its annual college rankings on Tuesday. Emory University is ranked as the top college in Georgia, and while it's No. 20 nationally among public and private schools, Emory is still No. 8 among private schools Jews choose, according to Reform Judaism magazine. It's No. 11 overall by percentage of Jews.

The Hillel.org website recently posted some terrific testimonials of the impact Hillel has had on their lives. Our very own Jaime Leiman ('12) was featured prominently and told about her recent experience traveling with Hillel on a recent Taglit-Birthright Israel trip.

Here's what she said:

“Hillel has given me many opportunities I otherwise would not have had—most memorably the opportunity to go on Birthright. This opportunity truly changed my life and my perception of Judaism, and I have to thank you for giving me this.”

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Sgt. Avichai Yaakov served with Major Roi Klein, who fell in the Second Lebanon War during the battle in Bint Jbeil on July 26, 2006 by covering a grenade with his body to save his troops. Sgt. Yaakov entered the battle scene several times, under heavy fire and great personal risk, and showed fierce leadership to rescue the wounded. He received the Medal of Valor in recognition of the heroism, leadership, initiative and combat spirit he exhibited during this battle.

Sgt. Yaakov visited Hillel at Emory on July 29, 2010 to talk about his new mission: to teach the youth of Israel how to be the finest leaders in Israel.