What is JSU?
What is Hillel?
What is Chabad?
What is the Jewish community like on campus?
How big is it?
What happens on Friday night and Shabbat?
I’m not Orthodox. What are my options for Shabbat?
How can I get involved in Jewish programs on campus?
What’s the Israel community like on campus?
Is there anti-Israel sentiment on campus?
Is kosher food available on and off campus?
Are professors accommodating in terms of holiday
observances?
Are there nearby synagogues?
Can I teach Hebrew School/Sunday School at nearby
synagogues or temples?
What are the Jewish learning opportunities on campus?

Every Friday night (except for school breaks), Hillel offers three Shabbat services (Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox) and a communal Shabbat dinner, which students pay for with points. Chabad offers a free dinner every Friday night. Many students come to Hillel and Chabad on Friday nights, and the environment is social and friendly. Some students do their own thing on the 40 for the rest of the night. There is always a small group of students who stay to sing Z’mirot and have an oneg dessert after dinner.

On Saturday morning, about 25 students will walk to Bais Abraham (referred to as “Bais Abe”) for services. This is a modern Orthodox synagogue, but many non-Orthodox students feel comfortable there too. In fact the rabbi, Rabbi Hyim Shafner, was our Hillel rabbi until a few years ago. Services are always followed by a free lunch for all students, either at the synagogue, Hillel, or Chabad. Anybody is welcome to join just for lunch as well.

For students who want to, Bais Abe has a late afternoon Mincha service, followed by a meal, Maariv, and Havdalah. Usually around 10 students go back for this.

Once a month, the Conservative and Orthodox minyanim organize Shabbat afternoon services at Hillel. They’ll do services separately, but eat, sing, and do Havdalah together.