FAQ

We know that roughly 8% of the undergraduate population identifies as Jewish, though there are many students on campus who do not self-identify. We work closely with our colleagues in the Chaplaincy, Student Development, and Admissions to create an environment where students choose to self-disclose and enter into Jewish community upon arriving on campus.

All students are welcome to attend Jewish Life programming on campus, and there is no formal need to join. That said, students are encouraged to sign up for our Jewish Life newsletter or follow us on Instagram for the latest opportunities and events.

Students seeking to get more involved can simply attend our many student and staff led programs, join our Hillel Student Council, or apply to become a Jewish Life intern when applications open each year.  If you are a current student and want to receive emails or simply learn more about the events and programs we sponsor, please contact Rabbi Josh Jeffreys.

Students can enjoy vegetarian and kosher-style foods at all of our on campus dining locations. Though we are currently unable to offer full-service kosher foods, our students have chosen to keep kosher while at UR by enjoying the many delicious vegan and vegetarian options available in all of our eateries on campus. We do offer kosher for Passover-friendly dining during the holiday, and continue to explore opportunities to provide more kosher options in partnership with University Dining.

The Jewish Life program at the University of Richmond is a pluralistic organization for all kinds of Jewish students to explore their religious, cultural, and spiritual identities. Recognizing that there have always been many ways to be and do Jewish, the program is committed to a multifaceted approach to Judaism that welcomes students of all backgrounds.

Jewish Life staff provide plenty of opportunities for learning, holiday celebrations, and prayer, and our Jewish Life Intern team and Hillel Student Council work to complement those programs, with social opportunities, cultural prorgamming, and more. A typical week includes a Jewish Learning Fellowship or related staff led educational opportunity, student organized Shabbat observance, and often a student-led program.

We are excited to have the resources to craft programs to meet our student body where it is, and welcome to students into partnership in co-creating those opportunities. To learn more or receive our newsletter with the latest programming information, please email Rabbi Josh Jeffreys.

Every week we in the Wilton Center at 5:30 p.m. to welcome Shabbat on campus. We light the candles, say the Kiddush and motzi, sing songs, and connect as a community. Our student interns and professional staff work together to provide diverse, dynamic opportunities to meet our campus needs. We rotate between reform, conservative, and more informal ritual options, and often have dinners or an oneg for students to spend time together before or after services.

Students also lead occasional havdalah or special shabbat related movie nights. Individuals are also welcome to enjoy services at one of the many local synagogues. For more information or a shabbat observance calendar, please email Rabbi Josh Jeffreys.

Because so much of the Jewish holidays involve collective celebration, we focus on creating communal opportunities like meals and rituals on campus. Students celebrate the high holidays with meals and community gatherings like tashlich or programs in the sukkah, Passover with a university seder, and Hanukkah, Purim, and more through student led celebrations. All students are welcome to attend services at one of the many local congregations so that they can both pray in a way that feels most connected to the way they practice, and hopefully learn more about the ways other Jews experience prayer.

According to the University’s Religious Observance Policy, any student may be excused from class or other assignments because of religious observance. Students must notify their faculty if such accomodations are necessary, but the Chaplaincy is here as a resource to help students advocate for themselves.

For more information or to learn more about particular holiday observances, please email Rabbi Josh Jeffreys.

Absolutely! Please see the Office of Admissions’ page to explore the ways to visit the campus and be in contact with a current student. Once you have a visit scheduled, contact Rabbi Josh Jeffreys to schedule a time to meet. He is also happy to connect prospective families with current Jewish student leaders.

The Jewish Life program is a part of the Office of the Chaplaincy and Student Development. As a result, Jews, like other religious groups, are fully integrated into campus life. It means that our students get to use university facilities, including the wonderful multifaith space in the Wilton Center. More importantly, it ensures that the students don’t feel like their Judaism is something separating them from their peers. At the University of Richmond, we strive to ensure our students religious, spiritual, and cultural identities are integrated into their holistic college experience, and that students have the chance to deepen their spiritual growth together with those of different backgrounds.

In pursuing our work, we partner and collaborate with a variety of organizations. On campus, our Hillel Student Council and Jewish Life Advisory Committee help to strengthen the Jewish life experience across the chaplaincy and wider university. Off campus, we partner with Hillel International, the local Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, the Weinstein JCC, Virginia Holocaust Museum, our many local synagogues, and more in an effort to meet our students’ unique needs.

In short, yes. The University of Richmond has an extraordinary Center for Global Engagement which includes a variety of study abroad options, including at the University of Haifa. Students also participate on their own through programs such as Birthright Israel, Masa, or other short-term travel opportunities. If you’d like to discuss specific opportunities or want guidance identifying a program that is right for you, please contact Rabbi Josh Jeffreys for more information.

Jewish Life at the University of Richmond is a part of the Office of the Chaplaincy, and shares space in the Wilton Center. Nearly all of our weekly programs occur in the building, and it is home to our Jewish Life staff and student interns. We encourage all students to make use of the center’s various spaces to study, socialize and refresh when programs aren’t being held.

Jewish Life, the Chaplaincy, and the University of Richmond understand the concerns associated with rising antisemitism and are committed to creating a space where Jewish students feel they belong - along with all other students on campus. While local, national, and global trends are beyond our control, we strive to foster a campus that is safe and inclusive. With a University-employed Jewish Life professional and Campus Rabbi, we work with partners across Student Development, academics, university compliance, and more to promote educational opportunies about Jews and antisemitism. There is also a robust non-discrimination policy and our religious observance policy.

We also work within and beyond the Jewish community to engage meaningfully and graciously as citizens in our wider Chaplaincy, University, and Richmond context. By creating intentional space to explore complex ideas, participate in honest yet humanizing dialogue, and learn together from people of all backgrounds, we hope to empower students to navigate difference in a manner that balances courage and compassion, conviction and curiosity.

For general questions, please contact Rabbi Josh Jeffreys, Associate University Chaplain and Campus Rabbi.