University of Richmond senior explores her Jewish-American identity
Through her honors thesis, an internship, and participation in Chaplaincy programming, senior Kate Chasin delves into what it means to be Jewish-American.
Meeting Myself in the Silence: A Student's Reflection on Pilgrimage: San Francisco
From October 10-14, a group of University of Richmond students embarked on Pilgrimage: San Francisco, a fall break journey exploring spirituality through meditation, intentional community, and the natural beauty of both the Point Reyes Peninsula with a certified arborist and San Francisco with a sunset cruise. Farah Šertović reflects on her experience.
Finding Community: A High Holidays Story
This past September, I sat at Rosh Hashanah services for the Jewish New Year alone for the first time in my life. I arrived an hour early to a local synagogue, because back home in Houston, my family of fifteen always insists on sitting together at services. Coming from a large congregation, I assumed I’d need extra time to find a seat.
Finding Faith, Building Friendship: Reflections from the Interfaith Leadership Summit
In early August, a small UR delegation traveled to Chicago for the annual Interfaith Leadership Summit hosted by Interfaith America. This three-day summit brought together over 100 universities and featured educational tracks exploring all things interfaith—from collaboration and to dialogue to programming across faith traditions. Multifaith Program Manager Olivia Rosenblum invited three students—Saige Beatman '26, Angelina Dickens '28, and Minahil Mobeen '28—to attend the conference and then serve as multifaith leaders upon their return to campus.
Spring 2025 Pilgrimages
The Chaplaincy led two spring pilgrimages in 2025 to explore peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the ancient roots of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in Greece. Both teams included a half unit pass/fail course taught during the spring semester.
Spring Holiday Celebrations Highlight Vibrant and Growing Communities
As the spring semester unfolded at the University of Richmond, the Office of the Chaplaincy witnessed a season of renewed energy and community connection. Across campus, students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate meaningful holidays, and our spring programming reached new levels of engagement, reflecting the strength and vitality of our growing religious communities.
Exploring Interfaith at the Ripple Conference
On a cold Friday morning in February, five students and Multifaith Program Manager, Olivia Rosenblum, loaded into a University of Richmond SUV. Their destination? Elon University and its annual student led interfaith Conference, Ripple.
Celebrating Dynamic Student Leadership: Reflections from Graduating Chaplaincy Student Leaders
As the academic year concluded in early May, graduating seniors from the Office of the Chaplaincy at the University of Richmond reflected on their transformative experiences. With over 15 senior student leaders serving across Jewish Life, Muslim Life, Christian Life, and SBNR@UR (Spiritual but Not Religious), this cohort of senior leaders played an integral role in fostering a vibrant and inclusive community on campus.
Reflections on Multifaith Work: Skipping Stones and Tangible Reminders
Multifaith programming isn’t just about events or initiatives—it’s about building a community where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Together, we’re moving the needle, one connection at a time.
Chaplaincy Groups See Increased Engagement as Communities Grow in Strength
As students returned to campus this fall, classrooms weren’t the only spaces to fill up. The Chaplaincy’s groups have seen a significant increase in attendance at fall programs, beginning with vibrant kick-off opportunities to welcome new and familiar faces to the community.
Weinstein-Rosenthal Forum Welcomes Doris Kearns Goodwin
The Chaplaincy’s 37th annual Weinstein-Rosenthal Forum on Faith, Ethics, and Global Society was held on Monday, October 7 in front of 600 people at the Alice Jepson Theatre of the Modlin Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Richmond.
Chaplaincy Expands Retreat Offerings
The University of Richmond's Office of the Chaplaincy expanded its retreat offerings for the 2024 fall semester, providing students with enhanced opportunities for spiritual growth and community building.
Chaplaincy's Sylvester Spirituality Series Hosts Rainn Wilson
On April 1, actor, comedian, and author Rainn Wilson joined University Chaplain Craig Kocher in Cannon Memorial Chapel for a moderated conversation about Wilson’s newest book, Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution.