Shabbat

More than the Jews kept [observed] Shabbat, Shabbat kept the Jews.  - Ahad Ha'am

Shabbat [The Sabbath] is central to Judaism.  The notion that after six days of work we should rest comes for Jewish text.  Jews from all different backgrounds have spent hours defining the term "rest."

Hillel encourages students to look at Shabbat as special (or sacred) time.  Day after day, week after week students run from class to work, to class to meetings back to class, to grab dinner with a friend, to another meeting.  All of sudden it's 11:23pm.

Shabbat is an opportunity to do something for yourself.   It's an opportunity to slow down and take a deep breath.  It's a time to be with friends (or maybe alone), have a nice meal and reflect on the previous week.

Hillel is happy to provide students with the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat in whatever way is meaningful to them.

Shabbat services are held every Friday evening when school is in session.  Visit the calender for more details.

There are two options for Shabbat Meals:

• Hillel Shabbat Dinner
• Shabbat Your Way
  

Hillel offers Shabbat dinner on the last Friday of every month (unless school is not in session). Hillel Shabbat Dinners are free for students.  Visit the calendar for more details.  *Please note that in September there will be a Shabbat dinner every week except Friday, Sept. 18th (Rosh Hashanah)

Shabbat Your Way is an opportunity to for students to create their own Shabbat community.

Hillel will do the following:

• Provide grape juice and challah for you and your guests
• Assist in helping order food if necessary
• Answer any questions about Shabbat and/or help you create a meaningful Shabbat experience for you and your guests.
  
• Reimburse you (up to) $6/person who attends your meal

You have to do the following:

• Invite your friends to your Shabbat dinner or lunch
  
• Inform Hillel by noon on Thurs. how many guests you plan to have at your meal
• Cook/Order food for your guests
• Have a great time celebrating Shabbat your own special way!
  
• The following Monday, submit a list of your guests' names/email addresses to Hillel
• Recieve your reimbursement check

This option is available every Friday night/Saturday lunch that school is in session.

Holiday commemorations at Hillel vary depending on when they fall during the year. We do our best to accommodate all of our students, so please let us know if there is something missing! When Hillel is not conducting an event, we will connect students to the community.

Hofstra Hillel's Jewish Holiday Page