FAQs
How many Jewish students are there at URI?
Although there are no official statistics concerning the number of Jews at URI, the estimated Jewish population is 900, about 7% of the campus population.
How many members does Hillel have?
None! There is no such thing as "membership" at Hillel. Everyone is welcome to participate in any of our programs.
How many students are involved with Hillel?
This is a difficult number to measure, since we have no "membership." There are about 450 students on our mailing list with whom we are in touch on a weekly basis. There are at least 60 students who currently participate at least once a month and over 300 students participated in some Hillel activity in the course of the last year.
How can I find out more about Hillel's programming and activities?
- Check the website to view the Hillel calendar of events
- Sign up to receive our weekly email, "What the Hillel?!", with notices about Hillel's current initiatives, events, job opportunities, and announcements
- Follow @URI_Hillel on Instagram
- Like the University of Rhode Island Hillel page on Facebook
Is Hillel only for Jewish students?
No! Everyone is welcome at Hillel and at Hillel programs. Please feel free to bring your non-Jewish friends. We're always glad to answer questions for anyone who is curious about Jewish life. Our friendly environment allows all students to feel comfortable.
Is there a rabbi on campus?
Hillel does not have a full-time rabbi on staff, but periodically we have a Rabbinic Intern from Hebrew College in Boston who works with our students. In addition, we have excellent working relationships with many rabbis in town. If you would like to get into contact with a local rabbi (any denomination), please contact us. Amy Olson, Hillel's Executive Director, is the President of the URI Chaplains Association. She is a trained Cantorial soloist who conducts Hillel's High Holiday services and serves as a Jewish resource to the URI community.
Rabbi Avi Goldstein is the Chabad rabbi serving the URI community.
Rabbi Avi Goldstein is the Chabad rabbi serving the URI community.
Does Hillel have Shabbat and holiday services?
We hold Shabbat evening services at least twice a month during the school year, followed by FREE Shabbat dinner. We also hold High Holy Day services each year, as well as other holiday celebrations, a Passover seder and Passover meals.
Does URI or URI Hillel have a Kosher meal plan?
No, but meals served at Hillel are kosher. We do offer free Shabbat dinners for students, monthly Sunday brunches and a special kosher meal plan during Passover. Hillel has a full commercial size kosher kitchen under the supervision of Amy Olson.
Is there a Jewish Studies major at URI?
No, but URI offers various Judaic Studies classes which have included: The Jews: Religion and People; The Holocaust; History of Religion; Biblical Thought; Politics and Problems of Israel; The Jews of Islamic Lands; and Women in Judaism. If you would like to find out about informal education opportunities, contact Hillel.
Are there any Jewish sororities or fraternities at URI?
Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), a Jewish fraternity, was recently re-chartered at URI. For more information contact Tristan Harrison, President. Instagram: @aepi_uri Website: aepiuri.com
While no other fraternities or sororities are exclusively Jewish, there are Jewish members in just about every fraternity and sorority on campus. Sororities and Fraternities with historic Jewish links are Sigma Delta Tau, and Zeta Beta Tau, and Sigma Alpha Mu.
While no other fraternities or sororities are exclusively Jewish, there are Jewish members in just about every fraternity and sorority on campus. Sororities and Fraternities with historic Jewish links are Sigma Delta Tau, and Zeta Beta Tau, and Sigma Alpha Mu.
I'm thinking about applying to URI. Does Hillel arrange visits?
Yes. Hillel is happy to welcome you to the URI community. Amy Olson or Michael Schreiber will gladly work with you to arrange a visit and a meeting with a Jewish student so that you can experience what Jewish life is like on campus first hand.