Prospective Students FAQ's
Welcome to Hillel at Ithaca College!
We are excited that you are interested in Ithaca College! We are always available to help you learn more about the Jewish community here! If you are planning a trip to Ithaca and would like to schedule a meeting with our Staff or students, please contact hillel@ithaca.edu or any of the Staff or students listed in the About Me section of this website. We would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have!
FAQ's:
How many Jewish students are there on campus?
About 10 percent of the students at Ithaca are Jewish. That means there are close to 600 Jewish students on campus!
Is there kosher dining on campus?
Yes, there is kosher dining on campus. The Terrace Dining Hall provides a kosher kitchen where students can find delicious kosher foods for each meal of the day. There is no special meal plan for kosher dining. As long as you have signed up for a meal plan, you will be able to eat at the kosher kitchen station of the Terrace Dining Hall. Special meals are provided for Shabbat and all of the chagim (holidays) including Passover!
How do Shabbat and holiday services work?
Students come to Muller Chapel every Friday night at 6pm for Shabbat services. We offer Reform and Conservative style services according to student interest. As a pluralistic organization, Hillel supports students in creating and leading services of any style. There are no Shabbat services on campus Saturday morning. We offer high holiday services as well - please see the Shabbat and Holiday section for more information.
Are there synagogues in town?
Yes, there are two synagogues in town! There is a Conservative temple downtown - Temple Beth El. There is also a Reform synagogue Tikkun v'Or located near Lansing, New York, about a 10 minute drive from campus.
What types of programs does Hillel organize?
We plan a variety of cultural,educational, and social programs every semester. We try to keep all types of student interests in mind. At the beginning of the fall semester, we have a big Welcome Back BBQ to welcome back students from their summer vacation. Our events can range from a Sushi Night to taking a cruise on Cayuga Lake . Look at our "Program" page to see some more sample programs.
Do you have a Hillel building?
We do not have a specific Hillel building but consider campus to be our "building". We hold programs all over campus and are part of the welcoming community housed in Muller Chapel. Muller Chapel is an interfaith chapel hosting the Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant and Buddist communities. We all share the space and hold programming here!
How can I get involved?
Come to the summer Welcome Back BBQ that Hillel hosts at the beginning of the Fall semester. Here you can put your name on the email listserve in which you will get emails sent to remind you of dates for programs. All you have to do is show up! Come chat with Hillel students at Shabbat services or at other Holiday events. If there is a program you would like to see happen on campus and it hasn't been planned, get in contact with Michael Faber, Jessie Kanowitz or an executive board member and talk to us about it! We want to put on programs that interest you. Better yet, we want you to help us program these events! We would love your input and support so get in contact with us today!
More Information:
If you would like more information about Hillel, Jewish life on campus, or really just anything related to Ithaca College, feel free to get in contact hillel@ithaca.edu. We would love to talk to you and answer your questions!