Penn Hillel is one of the best parts of being at Penn. Each year, Hillel reaches over 85% of the 1,750 Jewish undergraduate students on campus, with a wide-ranging array of different Jewish opportunities — from social justice to Israel, and from Jewish culture offerings to religious expression. Hillel is proud to be an “umbrella” organization, home to over 40 student communities and groups, while also hosting events, initiatives, speakers, and classes that engage a wide spectrum of students of all backgrounds and beliefs. A small sampling or offerings include a weekly soup kitchen, a wide variety of opportunities to engage with and learn about Israel, world famous speakers and public intellectuals, alternative break trips to UAE, Germany, Israel and beyond. All of this is in addition to the nearly 300 students who experience Shabbat each week, when we offer up to six different services on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Penn Hillel also runs a separate organization called the Jewish Renaissance Project (JRP) that brings Jewish life to students who are not already involved. JRP’s cutting-edge methodology brings Shabbat dinner, Jewish dialogue, and deep educational events to students in the dorms and fraternity and sorority houses on and off campus in West Philly. By bringing Jewish life to students where they live, work and play, JRP ensures that every Jewish student, regardless of background, can have a safe and meaningful space to explore and grow Jewishly. Steinhardt Hall, our home base, is a state-of-the-art facility that includes Falk at Penn Hillel, a kosher Penn dining hall, that provides the best food on campus with the warmest and most welcoming community.
