By Nicholas Merl
Plastic Israeli Flags sway during a stormy evening at the Hillel building off the main campus of CU. Boulder, Co. Friday, April 10, 2026. (Payton Cordova/Radio 1190)
On April 10, 2026, dozens of University of Colorado Boulder students and staff members crammed into a small house at the edge of campus to celebrate Israel Fest, an annual event organized by various Jewish campus groups. The event sought to combine a celebration of Israeli culture with outreach to both Jewish and non-Jewish students at the university.
The gathering was marked by the subtle fallout of the ongoing middle eastern crisis and its effects on domestic student politics. Originally set to take place on Farrand Field, the event was moved indoors to the Hillel building due to security concerns. The event comes amid heightened tensions on campus, with both higher amounts of anti-Zionist protests and more aggressive policing measures by the school.
CU Boulder Mascot “Chip” poses in front of Israeli flags at Israel Fest, April 10, 2026. (Payton Cordova/Radio 1190)
Nonetheless, the atmosphere was cautiously festive. Students milled about the event flanked by white-and-blue flags, eating falafel and pita bread in the yard while Hebrew-language music blared from loudspeakers. Overall, there was little to hint at the torrid complexities of geopolitics. The only thing suggesting consternation was the gray sky overhead, which hardly bothered any of those present.
“Israel Fest is a really important cultural event for Jews,” one student attendee, who asked to remain anonymous, said. “It’s really just to celebrate our culture and our food and our history and to have fun and just let loose and anyone is welcome to come.”
When asked about their feelings on the Middle Eastern crisis, the student expressed concern that young Jews didn’t have many safe spaces on campus.
A security officer stands guard outside of the Hillel building. Israel Fest, Boulder, Co. Friday, April 10, 2026. (Payton Cordova/Radio 1190)
“I definitely think that a lot of Jews have felt like with all of the recent political conflicts that it’s easy for us to be targeted and for us to be like looked at as the enemy,” the student said. “And I think that’s why it’s so important that we have a space where we can be openly ourselves because outside of that it’s hard to navigate being Jewish.”
While the event primarily centered around Israel and Jewish culture, non-Jewish students were welcome.
“Part of our goal with Israel Fest is to expose non-Jewish students here at CU to a culture that they likely don’t know much about,” Aubrey, a volunteer with the student organization Buffs for Israel who wasn’t comfortable sharing her last name, said. “That’s what we’re taught here at college, is to be curious to ask questions. And joining in on cultural events is the best way to learn.”
Many students present felt that Israel Fest allowed them to disengage from the heated political debate surrounding the genocide in Gaza and the accompanying geopolitical crises. For most, it was a place of celebration for their national identity.
Stickers presented to visitors upon arrival to the Hillel building. Israel Fest, Boulder, Co. Friday, April 10, 2026. (Payton Cordova/Radio 1190)
“There’s a lot of controversy, because I think when you hear the word Jew, when you hear the word Israel, there’s a lot of buzz and connotation to it,” Layla, a student volunteer with the group Masa Israel who was uncomfortable sharing her last name, said. “Just having a place where we can be around people like us with similar experiences, with similar cultural understanding, a shared experience, creates a great community.”
Fears of rising antisemitism also played a role in driving Jewish students towards spaces like Israel Fest.
“My friend told me I deserve to be bombed one time,” Layla said. “My friends at home will say, like, really messed up things and people here just like – they love you for it.”
The event’s primary organizers were CU Boulder’s chapter of Hillel, an international campus organization for Jewish students at universities worldwide. The organization has drawn criticism recently over its strong pro-Israel stance, a position which has left many anti-Zionist and non-Zionist Jewish students at American universities feeling alienated.
But for most of those in attendance, there was no question about the centrality of Israel to modern Jewish identity.
CU Student Max Aronheim grabs some free falafel. Israel Fest, Boulder, Co. Friday, April 10, 2026. (Payton Cordova/Radio 1190)
“I think just because not every Jew is Israeli doesn’t mean Israel isn’t important to Judaism,” Aubrey said. “It’s part of our culture, and to me, it’s irremovable. I notice to some Jewish people, it is removable, and I fully respect that. That’s how people choose to practice; it’s none of my business. I consider myself a really open-minded person. If people choose to practice in one way, that’s how they choose to practice. But to most Jews, Israel is a core and essential tenant to us, to our practice.”
Most of those interviewed were uncomfortable discussing the Gaza genocide or the wider Middle Eastern crisis directly. Yet many argued that despite the long list of controversies surrounding Israel, the country still deserved to be celebrated for its culture and its role for Jews worldwide.
“Our goal is cultural exposure. Our goal is not to change anyone’s minds about the government or to excuse any of the horrible, horrific things that are happening,” Aubrey said. “The best way to create peace and to create conversation and to try to create a better world for everybody. Palestinians, Israelis, Jews, non-Jews, CU students, non-CU students, is to create bridge bridges, to talk, to learn. Again, like I said earlier, to ask questions. And that’s what we want to do with this event.”