Tufts Hillel

Bayit Info Session for Rising Juniors & Seniors
2025-10-21 18:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Attention: all rising juniors and seniors! Applications to live in the Bayit (Tufts Jewish Culture House) during the 2026-2027 school year are due on Wednesday 10/22/25 at 5pm via the Housing Portal on SIS.

Have questions? Stop by Community Dinner on Tuesday 10/21 @ 6pm for a brief info session on what it’s like to live in the Bayit and how the application process works! Current Bayit residents & a representative from Tufts ResLife will be there to answer all your questions.

Rising sophomores, your applications window will open later this semester 🙂

Read by the River Paint Party
2025-10-21 18:00 - 20:00
Read by the River is an annual youth literacy carnival hosted by Tufts Hillel where local kids come and enjoy reading themed activities.

Help us prepare for this amazing event by painting decorations! This is a super fun way to destress after a long day and hang out with your friends. All artistic abilities are welcome. This year, the carnival is circus themed, so get ready to paint popcorn, elephants, balloons and more!

Apple Picking
2025-11-02 12:30 - 16:00 | Honey Pot Orchards, 16 Boon Rd, Stow, Massachusetts, 01775, United States
Tufts Hillel is heading to Honey Pot Orchards! Spend the day soaking up crisp autumn air, picking apples, and enjoying all of the tasty fall treats the season has to offer.

We will meet at Hillel at 12:30pm to take a bus to Honey Pot Orchards, and we’ll be back by 4pm. Sign-up is first come, first serve! Reserve your spot here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddht_G6ZA6xYE9oIHKO2gFRGwrwKKE9xNuV3oMHlaba8KtgA/viewform?usp=header

Reform and Conservative Text Comparison
2025-11-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Join us to explore the similarities and differences between Reform and Conservative texts, translations, rituals, and more! Whether you come to Reform Services, Conservative Services, or none at all, you are invited to dive deep into these texts and find the shared values between them!

Hot Cocoa x Make-a-Mug with Ariel
2025-11-14 11:30 - 13:30 | Campus Center, 44 Professors Row, Medford, 02155
Looking for a way to unwind at the end of the week? Stop by the Campus Center (Room 203) for a hot chocolate bar and mug decorating! Build your own hot chocolate with toppings and decorate a mug to take home. First come, first served.

Bayit Open House
2025-11-16 11:00 - 12:00 | The Bayit, 98 Packard Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02144
Are you interested in living in the Bayit (Jewish Culture House) next year? Come tour, grab a bagel, and meet the current residents of the house to learn all about their experiences living there!

Intergenerational Bingo & Ice Cream Sundaes
2025-11-16 14:15 - 17:00 | Cabot Park Village, 280 Newtonville Ave, Newtonville, Massachusetts, 02460, United States
Spend your afternoon making meaningful connections across generations!

Limited spaces available. Contact Lexi Trifon at alexis.trifon@tufts.edu to sign up! We will meet at 2:15 at Hillel with transportation to and from Cabot.

The Edith Sulzberg Memorial Intergenerational Program brings Tufts students together with residents of Cabot Park Village for conversation, community, and Jewish celebration. This event will take place at Cabot Park Village.

A partnership between Tufts Hillel and Cabot Park Village

What started as a weekly Challah for Hunger delivery turned into something much deeper.

Edith Sulzberg, mother of Tufts Hillel’s Director of Operations and Finance Marilyn Goldman, was a fierce supporter of Jewish life, young people, and her daughter’s work. Each Thursday, students would send challah—and handwritten notes—to residents at Cabot Park Village, including Edith. But Edith wanted more than a taste of Shabbat. She wanted to meet the students behind the notes, to see where Marilyn worked, and to feel the energy of Tufts Hillel for herself.

With the help of Tufts Student Eli Fraiman and Cabot Park Village’s Executive director Todd Raymond, Edith made it to Hillel. That visit sparked a tradition: shared meals, thoughtful conversations, and real friendships between Tufts students and Cabot Park Village residents.

Today, in Edith’s memory, this intergenerational program brings students and seniors together for festive lunches, Shabbat dinners, and meaningful connection. It’s a space to eat, laugh, and build relationships across generations—with your very own Bubbes and Zaydes.

Senior Bowling
2025-11-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Sacco’s Bowl Heaven, 45 Day St, Somerville, Massachusetts, 02144, United States
Seniors, get ready to bowl. Hillel is planning a fun night out, and spots are limited, so be sure to fill out the form below to save your spot.

https://forms.gle/QLGBLyRpPA7exNXR8

First Year Jewish Geography Game Night
2025-11-18 18:45 - 20:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Calling all first years! Come play IRL Jewish Geography Bingo and have the chance to win cool prizes!

Snacks and drinks are provided. Just bring yourself and your Instagram following list 😉 We can’t wait to see you there!

Everybody Wants This: A Conversation on Netflix's Most Popular Show
2025-11-19 18:30 - 19:30 | The Bayit, 98 Packard Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02144
Identity | Relationships | Drama

Just finished “Nobody Wants This” and need to share your thoughts? Come grab some snacks and debrief the show with your peers! We’ll dive into themes of identity, interfaith relationships, and how Judaism is portrayed in modern media.

To RSVP email Ariel.Hekier@tufts.edu

Interfaith Meditation & Discussion
2025-11-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Goddard Chapel, The Grn #3, Medford, 02155
Join Tufts Hillel and the Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha for an interfaith exploration of mindfulness through Jewish and Buddhist perspectives. The evening will include a brief guided meditation, a thoughtful discussion, and a chance to relax and chat over an assortment of teas and snacks. All are welcome to learn, reflect, and share in community. No experience necessary!

Reach out to Vineetha.Mahayaye@tufts.edu or Sari.Goodman@tufts.edu with any questions.

Rosh Chodesh Bingo
2025-11-22 12:30 - 13:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Celebrate Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the new Jewish month, with Bingo! We’ll be welcoming Kislev and giving away fun prizes, including a Trader Joe’s fall-themed basket, a movie night basket, and a Hillel sweatshirt!

Sephardic & Mizrahi Learning With Ciara Shalome
2025-11-23 17:00 - 18:30 | Paige Hall, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, 02155
Come spend the evening with Ciara Shalome, a London-based creator behind The Mizrahi Story (@TheMizrahiStory). Through her work, she brings to life the stories of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa.Enjoy dinner as we learn and engage with Sephardic and Mizrahi history and culture.

The event will be held in Paige Hall in the Terrace Room.

Inside and Out: Women, Chanukah Light, and the Boundaries of Tradition
2025-12-01 18:00 - 19:30
Join us for learning, conversation, and dinner with Rabbi Dina Brawer, the first woman ordained as an Orthodox rabbi in the United Kingdom. Drawing from themes of faith, gender, and ritual, Rabbi Brawer will explore how women’s spiritual light shines both inside and out and highlights the boundaries of tradition and reimagining the Hannukah story.

Rabbi Brawer is the founder of JOFA UK (Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance) and an internationally recognized educator and speaker on gender and Judaism. Her experiences living in Milan, Jerusalem, New York, and London have shaped her commitment to bridging divides and fostering shared understanding within Jewish life and beyond.

Movie Night: Featuring the Hillel Cozy Pajama Collection
2025-12-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
After enjoying a tasty Community Dinner, head upstairs for a cozy movie night, complete with popcorn and (of course) pajamas! Hillel’s brand new pajama merch is live on our storefront, linked here, and we’d love to see everyone show out in their merch.

You’ll also be able to purchase merch at the event. It would just make the perfect Hanukkah gift, don’t you think?

ChanuCasino
2025-12-07 19:00 - 21:00
Join us to roll your dreidels and try your luck at ChanuCasino! Come for fun games, delicious sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and a chance to catch up with friends.

Junior Study Abroad Send-Off
2025-12-08 18:30 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Say farewell to the Junior Jewish Jumbos who are studying abroad! There will be delicious cake, finger food, and music. This is also a great opportunity to say goodbye to your friends before heading off for break.

Chanukah Candle Lighting
2025-12-14 19:00 - 19:30, 2025-12-15 05:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-16 17:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-17 17:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-18 17:00 - 17:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Still on campus for Chanukah during finals? Join us for lighting candles throughout Chanukah at Tufts Hillel! We will have candles and Chanukiyot to light together as a community. Looking forward to celebrating with you!

Schedule for candle lightings:

Sunday 12/14 – 7pm

Monday 12/15 – 5pm

Tuesday 12/16 – 5pm

Wednesday 12/17 – 5pm

Thursday 12/18 – 5pm

Friday 12/19 – Sunday 12/21 – Hillel closed for Winter Break

Spring 2026 Student Board Applications
2026-01-18 17:00
Interested in building Jewish community on campus? Join Hillel board! This is a great opportunity to help shape what Jewish life looks like at Tufts, and it is also a really fun and exciting way to get more involved with Hillel yourself! The entire Hillel student board meets weekly from 12:00-1:15 pm on Mondays, but applicants must also be available for additional meetings and/or programming. The Junior rep will serve on the Community Branch, and the holidays co-chairs will work on the Religious & Spiritual Branch.

PLEASE SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION FORM BY SUNDAY JANUARY 18, 2026 AT 5PM EST: https://forms.gle/tuw5QhU7m7TR39Gu5

Holidays Co-Chairs: The Holidays co-chairs are responsible for coordinating programming related to the Jewish holidays, including but not limited to Sukkot, Chanukah, and Purim. The Holidays Co-Chairs are responsible for planning and executing larger holiday celebrations, such as for Chanukah and Purim, as well smaller events relating to Jewish holidays, such as T”u BiShvat, Rosh Chodesh, Passover, the High Holidays, and more. For holidays that include prayer services, they will work together with the Reform/Conservative Minyan coordinators to plan programming. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sarah Grand or Eli Fraiman at sarah.grand@tufts.edu or elijah.fraiman@tufts.edu

Junior Representative: The community branch is responsible for cultivating the larger Tufts Hillel community and keeping students engaged in Jewish life after their first year. This may include, but is not limited to, social programming open to the entire Tufts community, social programming tailored specifically to each class year, and/or longer campaigns that foster community and increase social interactions with others through Hillel. Note: One must be in/of junior standing in order to apply for this position. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sydney Cohen or Eli Fraiman at sydney.cohen@tufts.edu or elijah.fraiman@tufts.edu

Note: In accordance with the TCU and TCUJ bylaws for student organizations, All members of the Tufts community paying the undergraduate student activity fee may run for and hold any General Board elected office.

Highways to Hashem
2026-01-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Welcome back to campus, Jumbos! Join us for Highways to Hashem, where we’ll learn about different Jewish practices for entering a spiritual state.

Challah for Chesed
2026-01-22 15:00 - 21:00
Challah for Hunger is a student group committed to giving back through the tradition of baking challah. Each week, we bake and sell delicious flavors like Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Sugar, Everything Bagel, Sweet Crumb, and Plain. All proceeds support Family Table, one of the largest Jewish food banks in Greater Boston, helping provide meals to families in need.

This semester, our bakes are on 1/22, 2/5, 2/19, 3/12, 3/26, and 4/23.

You can join us on Thursdays for…

Dough-Making: 3-4pm

Braiding: 5-6pm

Baking: 7-8pm

Selling: 8-9pm

Sign up here to bake with us: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gwh5K3jQw-jW_pK81vj7gW6oQ3AWssRpN6g8sXFJ3ew/edit?usp=sharing

Nice Jewish 'Bos: What Does it Mean to be an NJB?
2026-01-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Swing by our first Nice Jewish ‘Bos (NJB) meeting! This week, we’ll be discussing our group goals and what it means to be an NJB. Good vibes, good guys, good conversations and good eats. Dinner will be served.

Introducing NJB: Nice Jewish ‘Bos! This program explores what it means to be a Jewish man in the twenty-first century through conversations, bonding activities, and fun! Over four sessions throughout the semester, will cover topics such as men’s mental health, dating, mitzvot (religious obligations), masculinity, and more.

HCAP Info Session
2026-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Looking for an on-campus volunteer opportunity? Hillel Community Action Partners (HCAP) runs an afterschool program for middle school students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30. Volunteer with the engineering/science, art, or homework help programs once or twice a week!

Come join us for free pizza and an informational session on January 23rd at 1pm at Hillel!

Babka & Board Games
2026-01-27 18:30 - 19:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Come to Hillel for a fun, low-key night with games, babka, and good vibes.

Apply to Live in the Bayit
2026-01-28 23:59
Applications to live in the Bayit (Tufts Jewish Culture House) during the 2026-2027 school year are open and due January 28th via the Housing Portal on SIS. Apply now!

Bunchi: an Ethiopian-Israeli story (Film Screening, Dinner, and Discussion with Director Esti Wexler)
2026-01-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Join us for a special screening of Bunchi, a powerful short drama by acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Esti Almo Wexler. The film will be screened at Tufts Hillel, followed by a live Q&A with the director. Dinner will be provided.

Esti Almo Wexler is one of the leading voices in contemporary Israeli cinema and one of the most prominent Ethiopian-Israeli filmmakers working today. Following the screening, she will speak about the making of the film, her personal journey, and her experience working as an Ethiopian-Israeli woman in the film industry.

Bunchi tells the story of an Ethiopian-Israeli mother who must confront deeply rooted traditional gender roles as she struggles to protect her family from a growing crisis. With emotional depth and striking intimacy, the film explores themes of motherhood, immigration, cultural identity, and the tensions between tradition and modern life.

This moving and thought-provoking film offers a rare and authentic look into a community and a story that is seldom seen on screen. The screening and conversation with the director promise an engaging evening of cinema, culture, and dialogue.

Sponsored by:

Department of International Literary and Cultural Studies

Charles Smith Endowment Fund

Judaic Studies Program

Hebrew Program

Tufts Hillel

Department of History

Program in Medieval Studies
