Bagel Brunch
2025-08-31 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | 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!

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

Open House & Kosher Lunch
2025-08-22 12:00 - 14:00 | MA
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.

First Year Hub
2025-08-01 00:00 - 2025-09-21 23:59 | MA
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

Shabbat Lunch at Hillel
2025-05-17 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-05-10 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-05-03 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-04-26 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-04-19 12:00 - 13:30 | MA
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!

Graduation Weekend and Shabbat!
2025-05-16 17:15 - 2025-05-18 14:00 | MA
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

Shabbat Friday Night
2025-05-09 18:00 - 20:30 | MA
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

Saturday Morning Services
2025-05-03 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-19 10:00 - 12:00 | MA
Join Tufts Hillel for Saturday morning Conservative services throughout the semester. Services will take place at Hillel then followed by lunch.

Senior Shabbat
2025-05-02 18:00 - 20:30 | MA
Come for the whole evening or just dinner to join us in celebrating our seniors. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to enjoy one last Shabbat with the Class of 2025 before they graduate!

To help us accommodate you for dinner please sign up 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 for the evening:

5:15pm Pictures & Senior L’chaim

6:00pm Services

7:00pm Dinner

8:00pm Dessert

Yom Haatzmaut BBQ
2025-05-01 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Join Tufts Hillel to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day! There will be a barbeque lunch, music, and treats to celebrate the holiday. We look forward to seeing you there!

Yom Hazikaron
2025-04-29 19:30 - 20:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Tufts Hillel is excited to celebrate Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Remembrance Day. We will come together with a short service and ceremony to acknowledge and commemorate this day as a community.

If you are interested in participating in our Yom Hazikaron ceremony, please contact Katie Hamelburg at katie.hamelburg@tufts.edu

Summer Nastalgia Shabbat
2025-04-25 18:00 - 20:30 | MA
Summer is coming, and we’re going back to the good old days! Join us for Summer Nostalgia Shabbat, as we reminisce on past summers and get excited for summer 2025! Feel free to come in camp shirts or your favorite summer dress, baseball hats or pool floaties. Can’t wait to see you there!

To help us accommodate you for dinner please sign up 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

Bagels and Bouncy House
2025-04-25 12:00 - 14:00 | Freshman Residential Quad, The field between Miller and Houston
What better way to celebrate the end of the semester than by eating bagels and jumping on a bouncy house?

We hope to see you on Res Quad!

Challah for Hunger – Challah Sale
2025-04-25 10:00 - 13:00 | MA
Are you hungry? If so, stop by the Campus center to buy delicious Challahs! The current flavors are Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Sugar, Everything Bagel, and Plain. 100% of the proceeds go to Family Table, one of the largest Jewish Food banks in the Greater Boston Area.

JQUEST Movie Night
2025-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 | MA
JQUEST is excited to host a cozy movie night! All our welcome to enjoy the many delicious snacks and relax for the evening.

Yom HaShoah
2025-04-24 18:00 - 18:30 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Tufts Hillel is hosting a ceremony in honor of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. We will share individual stories, commemorate, and be together as a community.

If you are interested in participating in our Yom Hashoah ceremony, please contact Katie Hamelburg at katie.hamelburg@tufts.edu.

Challah For Hunger
2025-04-24 15:00 - 21:00 | MA
Challah for Hunger is a group dedicated to doing Tzedakah (charity) through baking and selling Challahs! The current flavors are Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Sugar, Everything Bagel, and Plain. 100% of the proceeds go to Family Table, one of the largest Jewish Food banks in the Greater Boston Area.

Dough 3-4PM

Braiding 5-6PM

Baking 7-9PM

Join us to bake, make new friends, and make a difference.

Sign Up!

October 8 Film Screening
2025-04-23 19:30 - 21:30 | MA
The Gesher Fellowship will be screening Wendy Sachs’ 2025 film “October H8te.” The film portrays the emergence of anti-Semitism on college campuses, in social media, and on the streets since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. The screening will be followed by a group discussion. Snacks are provided!

Snacks provided.

The Torah of Leadership: Torah Study with Rabbi Elie Lehmann
2025-04-22 18:30 - 20:00 | Tufts Hillel Building, 220 Packard Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
We are excited to welcome Rabbi Elie Lehmann to Tufts for a thought-provoking evening. After community dinner, Rabbi Lehmann will guide us through “The Torah of Leadership: Balancing Healthy Doses of Humility, Arrogance, and Self-Confidence in Our Lives.”

Together, we’ll explore Jewish texts and reflect on what it means to lead with integrity—to hold space for both humility and strength. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in deep conversation and learn with a visiting teacher and leader.

Community Dinner
2025-04-22 17:30 - 18:30 | MA
Find community, make connections with your peers, and eat dinner at Hillel. Join us for a kosher meat dinner with a vegetarian option.

Food. People. Comfort.

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

instagram.com/tuftshillel

facebook.com/tuftshillel

Medieval Times Shabbat
2025-04-18 18:00 - 20:30 | MA
Join Tufts Hillel for Medieval Times Shabbat! Come in costume or come as you are. We can’t wait to see you there! To help us accommodate you for dinner please sign up 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

8:00pm Dessert
