What is Hillel?

Hillel is the Foundation for Jewish Life. Hillel supports Jewish life on hundreds of campus around the world.

How many Jewish students at enrolled at UMBC?

We estimate that there are one thousand Jewish undergraduates enrolled both full and part-time at UMBC and hundreds of graduate students as well.

Is there a kosher meal plan?

Fresh sandwiches, salads, frozen entrees and packaged goods are available for purchase in the University Commons and in The Spot located in the Dining Hall. There is also a kosher microwave in our offices in the Interfaith Center.

A kosher dining committee consisting of students, staff, and faculty is working on moving the University toward a fuller kosher and halal (follwing Muslim dietary laws) board plan over the next few years and we're always happy to speak with you about the latest developments. Hillel also organizes a full lunch and dinner kosher-for-Passover meal plan each year for an additional cost.

Every week, Hillel offers kosher Shabbat dinners free of charge.

What is Shabbat like?

Every Friday night, there are more traditional and more liberal services offered in the Interfaith Cetner at 6 PM followed by dinner at 6:45 PM. You can come to services, to dinner, or to both. Dozens of students gather each week for these participatory, fun and meaningful Shabbat experiences. Students frequently get together for Shabbat lunch to eat and socialize together.

How many students are active in Hillel?

Hillel professionals and student leaders are in personal contact with about three hundred Jewish students on campus each year.

Is there a daily minyan (prayer group)?

There is currently no daily minyan, but if there were enough interest, we'd be happy to help support such an effort.

Where is Hillel located?

UMBC Hillel tries not to see itself as an entity with a concrete time and space. As the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Hillel is located all over the UMBC campus through one-on-one conversations, programs, and all sorts of meaningful Jewish experiences.

Okay, but where are your offices located?

Our offices are located at the Interfaith Center (IFC). The IFC is located between Susquehanna and Chesapeake residence halls and is a two-minute walk from The Commons, the library and the dining hall.

The Interfaith Center? But I see myself as more culturally Jewish than religiously Jewish? Is there a place for me at Hillel?

Yes, and you are not alone. Studies show that many college students think of their Judaism as a culture and not as a religion. Avram Infeld, the former director of International Hillel, loves to remind students that "Judaism is not a religion," it is a family, a community, and entire culture. It was only after Emancipation in Europe that some Jews started thinking of Judaism as a "religion." Rabbi Moredecai M. Kaplan called Judaism an "evolving religious civilization," meaning that Judaism consists of people with traditions, art, music, language, land, bound together by a shared history, a shared destiny and a common quest for meaning.

And if I do think of Judaism as a religion?

Yes, you are most welcome too!

Are there Judaic Studies classes at UMBC?

There sure is. You can even minor in Judaic Studies. Click here for details.