Tufts Hillel

Shabbat Lunch at Hillel
2025-05-03 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-05-10 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-05-17 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
Join Tufts Hillel on Saturday for Shabbat lunch! No need to pre-register – just show up! All are welcome, we hope to see you there!

Shabbat Friday Night
2025-05-09 18:00 - 20:30
Join us for Shabbat services and dinner at Hillel! To help us accommodate you for dinner please sign up by via sms/text: Text HILLEL TO 617 420 7411

Shabbat dinner is provided compliments of Hillel. If you are on an unlimited meal plan, or have the resources to do so, please allow us to subsidize your meal by using a meal swipe.

Schedule

6:00pm Candle Lighting & Services

7:00pm Kosher Dinner Vegetarian and meat options

Graduation Weekend and Shabbat!
2025-05-16 17:15 - 2025-05-18 14:00
Join us for all or part of our graduation weekend, meals, programs, and events. Everything you need to know is below.

You can expect great food, connection with your community, and time to connect with and say farewell to your fellow seniors, families, and staff.

Graduation Weekend 2025 Schedule

Friday, May 16th

5:15 – 6:00 pm: Hillel Open House Reception(Granoff Family Hillel Center, 220 Packard Ave)

6:00 pm: Hillel Student-led Services*Reform and Conservative services(Granoff Family Hillel Center, 220 Packard Ave)

7:00 pm: Shabbat Dinner*Advance registration required-SIGN UP BELOW!(Granoff Family Hillel Center, 220 Packard Ave)

Saturday, May 17th

12:00 pm: Shabbat Buffet Lunch*Advance registration strongly suggested.(Granoff Family Hillel Center, 220 Packard Ave)

Shabbat Dinner Pricing:

Graduating Seniors ticket: Free of charge

Individual Dinner Ticket: $25 per person with a ($100 per family maximum*).

Family Dinner Ticket– 4 or more people: $100 (Please limit to immediate family (e.g. parents, guardians, siblings, grandparents).

*Please note that the cost to Hillel for Graduation Shabbat dinner is over $40 per person.

Please consider a voluntary donation of $18, $36, or $72 to cover the cost for those who cannot pay full price.

Please email Marilyn.goldman@tufts.edu with any questions

Tickets

First Year Hub
2025-08-01 00:00 - 2025-09-21 23:59
Welcome to our First Year Hub!

Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions, Hillel resources, and more information that we think will make your transition to Tufts a little easier.

FAQ

How do I RSVP for Shabbat meals?

You can RSVP for Shabbat meals by texting the keywords below to 617-420-7411.

Text “DINNER” for Friday night Shabbat Dinner.

Text “LUNCH” for Saturday afternoon Shabbat lunch.

Our first Shabbat dinner of the school year, First Year Shabbat, will be on Friday, August 29th (once all first years have arrived on campus).

I’m moving in early for Pre-Orientation. How do I get a Shabbat Kit?

Hillel will be giving out free Shabbat Kits to those moving in early on Friday, August 22nd. Shabbat Kits will include challah, grape juice, and dorm-friendly candles.

You can pick yours up during our Open House from 12-2pm.

How do I join the Tufts Hillel Class of 2029 WhatsApp?

Click here to request to join the Tufts Hillel 2029 WhatsApp!

Jewish Life Resources

As you’re getting settled at Tufts, we have several opportunities for religious experiences here on campus. Check out our offerings below or contact Katie Hamelburg, our Senior Jewish Educator, at kate.hamelburg@tufts.edu for more information!

Ritual Items

Mezuzas: We have mezuzas for you to borrow for the year, if you would like to put one up in your dorm or apartment! We can help you put it up, if you would like.

Siddurs: If you would like your own siddur (prayer book), we have personal siddurs for you to take with you! We have Reform, Conservative, Orthodox (Ashkenaz), and Orthodox (Sephard) personal/travel siddurs.

Tefillin: If you would like to wear or practice trying tefillin, we have spare tefillin for you to borrow!

For a Mezuza, Siddur, or Tefillin, please fill out this form, come to the Hillel building at 220 Packard Ave, or contact Katie at kate.hamelburg@tufts.edu.

Shabbat & Holidays

We have regular programming for Shabbat and Holidays, ranging from meals, traditional services (Reform and Conservative), alternative programming, and more.

Friday Nights:

We have Conservative and Reform services each Friday, held at the Hillel building (220 Packard Ave). For any updates to timing or location, please visit the Hillel calendar at tuftshillel.org.

We have weekly Shabbat Dinners held at Tufts Hillel. All information about the weekly Shabbat Dinner will be posted at tuftshillel.org.

Saturday Mornings:

We have Conservative Shabbat Morning services held regularly throughout the semester. All dates and times will be posted on the Tufts Hillel calendar at tuftshillel.org.

We have weekly Shabbat Lunches at Tufts Hillel, on Saturdays at 12:00pm.

Get Coffee with Katie

Looking for more information about Jewish Life on campus? Questions about any of these offerings, or don’t see something that you’re looking for on campus? Looking to meet a Hillel Staff Member? Katie would love to take you for coffee! To grab coffee with Katie, please visit her Calendly link here.

Opportunities

Looking for an on-campus volunteer opportunity? Tufts Hillel is looking for volunteers!

Opportunity 1: Volunteer to tutor for HCAP’s afterschool program! HCAP (Hillel Community Action Partners) has partnered with a local middle school to bring students to our building for Art, STEM, and homework help on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year.

Opportunity 2: Volunteer to be an ESL tutor! Our ESL program, Hillel/McGlynn/Medford Cultural Partnership (HMMCP), works to provide English classes to McGlynn Middle School parents and Medford community members who are English language learners. More broadly, we aim to deepen connections between the Tufts and Medford communities.

Interested in these opportunities? Stop by the Hillel Open House (on 8/22 and 8/27) or Hillel GIM (on TBA) to speak with the leaders of these programs. Interest form links coming soon.

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Email our Student Life Coordinator at Natalie.Lopez@tufts.edu

Open House & Kosher Lunch
2025-08-22 12:00 - 14:00
Stop by our building to meet our staff and student leaders, enjoy kosher lunch, pick up your Shabbat kit, and learn more about what Tufts Hillel has to offer! Open House is the great time for students and their families to learn more about our fun events, resources for first years, and ways to get involved in our vibrant Jewish community. Shabbat kits will include challah, grape juice, and dorm-friendly candles.

To RSVP for our Open House lunch, fill out this form.

Open House & Kosher Lunch
2025-08-27 11:30 - 15:30 | Tufts Hillel, 220 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Stop by our building to meet our staff and student leaders, enjoy kosher lunch and drinks, and learn more about what Tufts Hillel has to offer! Open House is the great time for students and their families to learn more about our fun events, resources for first years, and ways to get involved in our vibrant Jewish community. Whether you already stopped by on Friday or if it’s your first day on campus, come hang out with your HFELs (Hillel First Year Engagement Leaders) who are excited to meet you and welcome you to campus!

Open House from 11:30am – 3:30pm; lunch served from 12-2pm. To RSVP for lunch, fill out this form.

Late Night Chill
2025-08-28 22:30 - 23:30 | Tufts Hillel, 220 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Come as you are (comfy clothes encouraged!) and join us at Hillel for some yummy snacks and great company as we relax after a long orientation day! All are welcome – come meet your Class of 2029 peers and hang!

First Year Shabbat
2025-08-29 17:30 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel, 220 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Experience Shabbat with Tufts Hillel, as we come together for an evening of Shabbat celebrations! Come to as many or few of the parts of the evening as you would like – we can’t wait to see you there and to welcome you to your first Shabbat with us. Students of all backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Due to weather please note change of locations:

New locations will be as follows:

5:30pm: Pre-Shabbat food & music in upstairs lounge

6:00pm: Candlelighting then services

Reform in upstairs chapel

Conservative in downstairs chapel

7:00pm: Shabbat Dinner in the dining room

After dinner, dessert & board games in upstairs lounge

Students participating in Shabbat at Hillel will be excused from the CARE Program, and will be sent follow up information directly from CARE. Please register for Shabbat dinner by texting “DINNER” to 617-420–7411 by Friday, August 29 at 11am and please bring your Tufts ID. Registration for Shabbat Dinner is highly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. We can’t wait to see you there!

We will begin with a “Pre-Neg” (music, appetizers, and shmoozing) on Tisch Roof from 5:30 – 6:00pm, followed by Conservative Services (on Tisch Roof) and Reform Services (in the Hillel Garden) from 6:00 – 7:00pm. Shabbat Dinner will be at Hillel from 7:00 – 8:00pm, followed by dessert and board games! All food will be kosher, with allergy friendly options.

5:30pm: Pre-Shabbat Food and Music on Tisch Roof

6:00pm: Services

Conservative Services on Tisch Roof

Reform Services at Garden outside of Hillel (we will walk from Tisch roof together)

7:00pm: Shabbat Dinner at Hillel

After dinner: Dessert and Board Games in Hillel Lounge

Shabbat Services, Lunch, and Relax
2025-08-30 10:00 - 13:00 | Tufts Hillel, 220 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Join us for Shabbat morning as we continue Shabbat celebrations at Tufts Hillel! We will have a variety of options for however you are looking to spend your Shabbat morning on campus. We will start the morning with traditional Conservative morning services, as well as a service alternative, at 10:00 am. Shabbat lunch will start at 12:00pm – everyone is invited, regardless of if you come for services!

Please register for lunch by texting “LUNCH” to 617-420-7411 by Friday, August 29 at 11am. Registration for lunch is highly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome – please bring your Tufts ID. All food will be kosher, with allergy-friendly options available!

Havdalah and JP Licks
2025-08-30 21:00 - 23:00 | Tufts Hillel, 220 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Come celebrate the end of Shabbat with the symbolic ritual of Havdalah, then head over to J.P. Licks in Davis Square for ice cream. It’s on us! Meet at Hillel.

Bagel Brunch
2025-08-31 11:00 - 13:00 | Tufts Hillel, 220 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Join us for the tastiest, bagel-iest, can’t-miss event of the semester. Tufts Hillel presents our annual Bagel Brunch with performances by all campus a capella groups! All are welcome to come grab a bagel (plain, everything, or whatever you like) and join us for this iconic orientation event!

Community Dinner
2025-09-02 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-09-09 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-09-16 17:30 - 18:30
Join us for a free mid-week Kosher catered dinner! Come for the food, stay for the people! Check the instagram on Tuesday morning for what’s being served.

Food. People. Comfort.

For the most up to date info please see our social media

instagram.com/tuftshillel

facebook.com/tuftshillel

Back to School Bingo
2025-09-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Kick of the semester with Hillel Bingo! This will be a great time reconnect with friends, meet new people, and compete for exciting prizes.

Talmud Chaburah
2025-09-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Want to take sharpen your Talmud skills? Join a weekly, text-based study group where you’ll work through the Hebrew/Aramaic of the Gemara together, sharpening both reading skills and analytical thinking. Guided by Rabbi Brawer, this chaburah offers a collaborative space for deep learning and thoughtful discussion.

Prerequisite: Participants should be comfortable reading Talmud in the original Hebrew/Aramaic.

BBQ Shabbat
2025-09-05 17:30 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
We’re so excited to kick off the school year with Shabbat at Tufts Hillel! Join us for a special BBQ Shabbat to kick off the school year in style. We can’t wait to celebrate Shabbat with you.

Schedule for the night:– 5:30pm BBQ Dinner– 6:30pm Services– 7pm Oneg: Dessert and Board Games

Join us for the whole night or drop in as short or long as you would like. We can’t wait to see you Friday!

Get the Scoop - Hillel GIM
2025-09-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Do you like ice cream? Want to learn all about the amazing programming going on at Hillel this semester? What social justice initiatives is Hillel running this semester?

Answers to all of your questions and more at the GIM this Sunday!

HCAP and ESL General Interest Meeting
2025-09-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Come learn more about two of Hillel’s amazing volunteering opportunities!

Our ESL program, Hillel/McGlynn/Medford Cultural Partnership (HMMCP), works to provide English classes to McGlynn Middle School parents and Medford community members who are English language learners.

HCAP (Hillel Community Action Partners) is an initiative that works to provide after school arts, engineering, and homework help programs to local middle schoolers.

Elul Journals: Preparing for the New Year
2025-09-10 19:30 - 20:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Join us for a creative and meaningful way to step into the High Holidays! In the spirit of Elul, the month of reflection and preparation, we’ll decorate and personalize journals to use for introspection, goal-setting, or capturing your thoughts throughout the year ahead. No experience needed, just come ready to reflect, create, and prepare your heart and mind for Rosh Hashanah. Light snacks provided!

Challah for Hunger
2025-09-11 15:00 - 21:00 | Tufts Hillel-Downstairs Chapel, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
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 9/11, 9/25, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 12/4.

You can join us for…

Dough Making 3-4PM

Braiding 5-6PM

Baking 7-9PM

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

Community Shabbat
2025-09-12 17:00 - 2025-09-13 21:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Friday Night:

Join us this Friday at 5pm for a pre-Shabbat gathering, with coloring books, beads, and friendship bracelets to meet people and kick off the evening together. Candle lighting and services will be at 6pm, followed by dinner at 7pm and dessert at 8pm.

Saturday:

Join Tufts Hillel as we close out Shabbat together this Saturday, September 13! We will have bagel lunch at 12-1, mincha (afternoon) services at 5:30, followed by Seudat Shlishit (light dinner), singing, and Havdalah, followed by Slichot – a song-filled service leading into the High Holiday season. Feel free to join for any or all parts of the afternoon/evening – looking forward to seeing you there!

Schedule for the evening:

12:00 PM Lunch

6:30 PM Mincha

7:00 PM Light Dinner, Singing, and Board Games

7:40 PM Havdalah

8:00 PM Slichot

Texts and Values: A Weekly Jewish Study Circle
2025-09-16 16:30 - 17:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Join Rabbi Naftali Brawer for a weekly exploration of Jewish values and ethical teachings embedded in ancient Jewish texts. No prior knowledge is required, just curiosity and an open mind.

First Year Movie Night
2025-09-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Join us for our first freshmen-only event of the semester! We can’t wait to bring the class of ’29 back together for popcorn, snacks, drinks, and a movie to be announced in the WhatsApp group!
