UMass Hillel Student Groups
Challah for Hunger
Challah for Hunger (CfH) is a nationwide nonprofit organization that brings people together to bake and sell challah with the purpose of raising money and awareness for social justice causes. There are over 50 CfH chapters located on college campuses all over the world. Half of the profits are donated to Swipe Out hunger and half of the profits support a local organization of the chapter’s choice.
Loaves are $3 each. Buy in person on Thursdays following our bakes or Fridays that we're selling in the Campus Center. We accept cash and Venmo.
Please visit us on Instagram for the latest updates on baking and selling dates. To learn more about the national organization you can visit their website.
Loaves are $3 each. Buy in person on Thursdays following our bakes or Fridays that we're selling in the Campus Center. We accept cash and Venmo.
Please visit us on Instagram for the latest updates on baking and selling dates. To learn more about the national organization you can visit their website.
Degel
Degel is a student group for the Modern Orthodox Jewish community at UMass Amherst. Degel creates a particularly warm space for Five College students and community members to celebrate Shabbat and Holidays together. Our community is led by the Directors of our Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC), Rabbi Raffi and Ariella Leicht. We are proactive about creating a comfortable environment made up of students with diverse backgrounds and Jewish practices. Degel members are empowered with leadership opportunities to build something special and leave a lasting impact. This supportive community is a place where everyone can be themselves, develop meaningful friendships, and foster a love of Torah.
If you have any questions regarding observance and practice at UMass, get in touch with Rabbi Raffi Leicht, and also follow Degel on Instagram. UMass is a great place to be Orthodox and to grow into your own within the setting of Massachusetts’ flagship state university.
If you have any questions regarding observance and practice at UMass, get in touch with Rabbi Raffi Leicht, and also follow Degel on Instagram. UMass is a great place to be Orthodox and to grow into your own within the setting of Massachusetts’ flagship state university.
JewMass
JewMass is a student group focused on building Jewish community and connections through social events! Throughout the year, we'll have events and outings such as barbecues, ice skating, formal events, and more. Keep up with us on Instagram!
Jewish Leaders in Business and Entrepreneurship
Jewish Leaders in Business and Entrepreneurship (JLBE) creates events to provide students with learning opportunities, such as networking opportunities and guest speakers to better prepare students for the competitive business world. We love working with many different organizations on and off campus to continue to promote an incredibly unified, supportive, and diverse campus. For more information, email [email protected] or follow us on Instagram!
J Street U
J Street U is an organization of students focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, fighting for a two-state solution that recognizes the humanity and dignity of all. You can find us on Instagram!
Mishelanu
Mishelanu is a national campus program that provides a home for Israeli-American students in order to strengthen and maintain their identity through culture, language, heritage, and a strong connection to Israel. Find out more from our Instagram page or contact Shir Amira with any questions!
Mizmor
Mizmor provides opportunities for Jewish students to engage religiously, spiritually, and culturally in a Conservative Jewish setting within Hillel. Mizmor provides weekly Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv services every Friday night, all organized and led by students. Mizmor also hosts fun get-togethers for the community to engage throughout the semester.
Ruach
Ruach is the Reform, Reconstructionist, & Alternative Jewish student group at UMass Hillel. We host a variety of religious, communal, and social action events to help liberal Jews connect with their Judaism and each other. Although we are based at UMass Hillel, we welcome students from the other Five Colleges and members of the local community to join us as well!
Student Alliance for Israel (SAFI)
The Student Alliance for Israel exists to give pro-Israel members of UMass Amherst a voice on campus and in the greater community. We, as an alliance, are made up of students from different cultural, educational, religious, and political backgrounds and identities. We hold various beliefs all linked by one Zionist idea; the State of Israel has the right to exist as a democratic Jewish state. With this strong ideal in mind, our group seeks to create spaces of open dialogue through educational and social platforms, so that we can learn, discuss and connect with the UMass community. Email [email protected] and follow us on Instagram.