Jewish Life

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 among the backdrop of an elite liberal arts campus. As part of the Office of the Chaplaincy and an integrated part of the University, the program is committed to a multifaceted approach to Judaism that welcomes students of all backgrounds, and empowers them to lead meaningful lives informed by Jewish values and tradition. Jewish Life at Richmond recognizes that each person celebrates their Jewishness in unique ways, and invites them to be a part of crafting Jewish community together. 

Here, it doesn’t matter how you are Jewish or how Jewish you feel. We are a welcoming and inclusive community that provides enriching Jewish experiences for campus by empowering students to partner with one another and our shared communities to:

• Create dynamic ritual observances that deepen our sense of spirituality and connection.
• Pursue nuanced and experiential Jewish learning in a way that draws on the vast wisdom of Jewish tradition and fosters a deeper understanding of Judaism on their own terms.
• Establish joyous, nourishing, and lasting relationships with their peers.
• Engage meaningfully and graciously as citizens in our wider Chaplaincy, University, and Richmond communities.
• Cultivate a personal relationship with global Jewry and Israel while creating space for questions, the exploration of complex ideas, and experimentation with and empathy for conflicting perspectives.

Please contact Rabbi Josh Jeffreys, Associate Chaplain and Campus Rabbi, for more information or with any questions.