Religious Life
Shabbat
KU Hillel holds Shabbat every other week, varieties include:
- Happy Hour Shabbat: Happy Hour takes place at Hillel on New Hampshire Street where students are invited from 4pm-6pm to come relax and experience different Lawrence cuisines from around the town.
- Jayhawk Shabbat: Jayhawk Shabbat is the first Shabbat of each semester where Hillel pairs up with the Alumni Center and welcomes back students to the start of a great semester. This is one of our most popular Shabbats where students get a chance to reunite and allows students to become familiar with our organization as well as with the Alumni Center.
- Targeted Shabbat Dinners: Throughout the school year, Hillel hosts targeted Shabbat dinners to different groups of people. These include a Birthright Shabbat for students who are either going on or who are going to go to Israel, SDT Shabbat, Jewish Camp Shabbat, etc.
- Shabbat Brunch: Shabbat brunches happen every Saturday morning from 11am-1pm unless there is a football or basketball game during that time. These brunches are run solely by the Shabbat Brunch Interns and cater to anywhere from 30-80 people on any given afternoon. The students work to get bagels donated each Saturday and Hillel also provides lox, fruit and vegetable platters, chips, dessert, juice and other beverages. Many of the students favor this event due to its laid back atmosphere.
Holidays
Whether you are reform, conservative or Orthodox, Hillel welcomes everyone in celebrating the High Holidays on campus.
- Hanukkah:
Each year Hillel hosts a Hanukkah Shabbat for students where they are
able to come together to light the candles, spin the dreidle and enjoy
latkes. Hillel also provides students with menorahs and candles,
dreidels and gelt for the holiday.
- Rosh Hashanah: Hillel celebrates Rosh Hashanah by providing Erev Rosh Hashanah services for students to celebrate the Jewish New Year, along with apples and honey. In the past Hillel has brought in prestigious Rabbi’s to lead the services. For additional services, please visit the Lawrence Jewish Community Center (LJCC).
- Passover:
Hillel provides a seder for students on the second night of Passover
where they can join together to learn the story of Exodus and partake in
dinner.
- Yom Kippur: Students are provided with the materials needed to create a welcoming break the fast environment in their own homes. For services please visit the LJCC.
For more information about any of the holidays, please contact Carly. There are also additional
opportunities to go to Kansas City and attend holiday services there.
For more information on local Kansas City synagogues, please contact Malinda.
