Jewish Life at Penn Hillel is committed to creating programs which promote the richness of Judaism. Be on the lookout for Phridays, special community-wide celebratory Shabbat dinners which have previously featured comedians, a capella groups and hypnotists. 

Other great programming includes huge holiday celebrations on Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover.  During the first semester join us for a community breakfast after Yom Kippur.  In the Spring join us for Shabbat Across Penn, when students across campus from a variety of backgrounds host a Friday night dinner.  Steinhardt Hall is home to an assortment of prayer services ranging from Reform, Orthodox, and Conservative services on Shabbat, as well as daily Orthodox services.  Jewish Life at Penn includes unique experiences such as women's programming and LINKS, an interdenominational dialogue group.  Come share your creative ideas and suggestions, and help plan the meaningful and festive events that our community enjoys.

For more information, contact Shiri Bogomolny.

The Conservative Jewish Community (CJC) is a warm group that offers social, educational and religious opportunities for the Penn Jewish community. Every Friday night and Saturday, CJC holds Shabbat services filled with upbeat melodies and singing. In addition to great services, CJC provides a welcoming community throughout the week. We offer informal learning, exciting speakers, social gatherings and delicious dinner events. Make sure to check out CJC Kickoff 2010, a series of social outings and events geared at connecting new and returning students, happening during the first few weeks of school!

For more information, contact Israel Geselowitz or Eva Bernfeld, or see their website 

LINKS: The Jewish Dialogue Project is Hillel’s interdenominational dialogue group, which brings Jewish students of all backgrounds, shapes and sizes together to learn about their Judaism, make new friends and educate peers, all the while uniting and solidifying the Jewish community at Penn. Those who wish to participate in LINKS will have the opportunity to facilitate dialogues, plan social events and create enterprising, community wide programs.

For more information, contact Orly Halpern

The Orthodox Community at Penn (OCP) is a thriving student-run community that organizes religious, social, and community-service based programming for the hundreds of Orthodox Jewish students on campus. In addition to daily prayer services, weekly opportunities to study Jewish texts, Sunday Night Learning, social justice events like Manicure for the Cure, and social programming such as make-your-own sushi night, each year the OCP comes together for innovative projects and programs. Highlights from the past year with the OCP include our first Banquet and Auction, a weekend of programming that focused on a discussion of homosexuality and the Orthodox community, and our third annual Fling Feast, which was generously sponsored by the Klatt and Chiel families. The OCP had an incredibly successful year, and hopes to continue to grow this coming semester.

For more information, contact Adriel Koschitzky or Ricki Notis, or see their website

The Reform Jewish Community at Penn - opens its arms to Jews from all backgrounds as the face of liberal Judiasm at Penn. Our Friday night services are musical and spirited. Our educational programs are interesting and relevant. Our social events are fun and lively. And our commitment to social justice is deep and vigorous. Check out this magnetic group and feel the community connection!

For more information, contact Rachel Eisenberg

PHRIDAYS are a great way to pump up the excitement for Shabbat evenings at Penn Hillel.  Once a month, the buzz fills Steinhardt Hall and Shabbat turns into a lot more than services and dinner.  These Friday nights draw crowds of up to five hundred students from a wide range of Jewish affiliations.  PHRIDAYS feature special entertainment like comedians, hypnotists, a cappella groups, and of course scrumptious desserts.  Stop in and join the fun! 

For more information, contact Shiri Bogomolny

The Holidays Committee builds community through energizing campus-wide celebrations for the major Jewish holidays. With their creative juices flowing, the Holidays Committee organizes everything from fascinating High Holidays discussion groups to fun-filled Hannukah celebrations and Purim carnivals.

For more information, contact Shiri Bogomolny

The Jewish Life Initiative (JLI) is dedicated to enhancing Jewish life on campus.  Last year, they organized the first-ever Hillel-wide Mix-'Em-Up Meals, which brought together over 130 students for intimate, informal, student-led Shabbat meals throughout campus.  The goal is to create and promote meaningful, long-term programming that appeals to Jewish students of all backgrounds and interests.

For more information, contact Alex Jefferson, Erica Kimmel, or Abby Jablansky

The HAVANOT fellowship is a new initiative that provides a forum for current and future leaders within different Hillel student communities to learn together both about their common ground as well as where their ideologies differ. Perhaps through significant and meaningful time spent together, students will grow to have deeper Havanot, literally understandings, and a healthy respect for each other and each other’s communities. HAVANOT. Think about it.

For more information, contact Alex Jefferson or Erica Kimmel

The Sephardic Yidden Quakers (SYQ) is a newly formed group that embraces Sephardic Jews from all different backgrounds. SYQ embodies the Sephardic Jewish community within Penn Hillel by congregating for weekly Friday night services as well as for the holidays. In addition, SYQ offers a weekly Sephardic shiur (learning session) and plans on organizing Sephardic heritage events. SYQ welcomes all students and community members to join our services and experience the joyous Sephardic culture. Join us on facebook at:  Sephardic Yidden Quakers (SYQ).

For more information, contact Raymond Habbaz or Yoni Levenson.

Shira Chadasha @ Penn is a part of the greater Penn Hillel community, and strives to provide Penn’s Jewish student body with spirited and inclusive prayer opportunities.  We offer a traditional service that promotes the maximum participation of females and males within a Halakhik framework. Meeting throughout the semester, Shira Chadasha hosts lively Friday Night and Shabbat day services attended by a diverse group of students from throughout the Penn Hillel community.  

For more information, or to join our listserv, contact Eliana Machefsky or Elie Peltz or visit their website.