Hillel at Davis and Sacramento was established in 1965 to provide a home away from home for the few hundred Jewish college students studying in the region at the time. From the mid-1960s until 2012, Hillel operated out of a small bungalow across the street from UC Davis. In 2012, that longtime home was replaced with a beautiful new building, fulfilling a dream that had been years in the making.
In 2024, Hillel opened the Jewish Life and Resource Center on the Sacramento State campus. Located in Modoc Hall, the center fosters a strong sense of belonging through programs, events, and one-on-one support tailored to the needs of the Jewish community.
Today, Hillel serves thousands of students throughout the Davis and Sacramento area while also welcoming alumni, parents, grandparents, and community members. We offer a diverse range of educational, social, spiritual, cultural, and tzedek (social justice) programs, and no membership is required. Whether you're looking to connect, celebrate, learn, or simply spend time with friends, you're always welcome to stop by and see what's happening.
All food served at Hillel is kosher, delicious, and plentiful. During the academic year, we host Tuesday Brunch and Shabbat dinners at UC Davis, Not Shabbat dinners on Thursdays at Sacramento State, and provide free snacks at both locations.
Our Story
Larry Rappaport, Founder
We are here today because of the vision, generosity, and dedication of our founder, Larry Rappaport ז״ל.
Larry was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx and Brooklyn. He and his beloved wife, Norma, first met as infants in baby carriages outside a kosher butcher shop and shared more than 65 years of marriage. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and earning his Ph.D. from Michigan State University, Larry joined the faculty at UC Davis in 1956 as a professor in the Department of Vegetable Crops. He remained at UC Davis until his retirement in 1992, serving as Chair of the Department of Plant Sciences. A pioneering scientist, Larry was among the first researchers in the United States to study plant hormones, with a particular focus on gibberellins.
Larry's impact extended far beyond the classroom and laboratory. Most importantly to us, Larry believed that Jewish students deserved a welcoming community where they could celebrate their heritage, build lifelong friendships, and feel a true sense of belonging. That belief inspired him to establish Hillel at UC Davis. In its earliest days, Hillel gatherings were simple Sunday bagel brunches held in the Rappaport family's living room. From those humble beginnings grew one of the most vibrant centers for Jewish student life in the region.
Larry passed away on October 5, 2022, at the age of 94. His legacy lives on in every student who finds community, connection, and purpose through Hillel. We are deeply grateful for the foundation he and Norma built and remain committed to carrying their vision forward for generations to come.
Bobbie and Sam Len Hillel House
Bobbie and Sam Len z” l were long-time, generous supporters of our Hillel. They were the early visionaries of building a state-of-the-art facility so our students could have a beautiful, comfortable place to call "home" during their college years. Bobbie and Sam also endowed our Tuesday brunch program, thereby enabling us to provide free kosher meals to students each week. In appreciation and recognition of Bobbie and Sam's many contributions, this plaque hangs in our foyer.
Bobbie and Sam Len, together with members of their devoted family, were present at the groundbreaking of our new facility in 2011. Tragically, Sam passed away just a few months before the building's completion in 2012. In tribute to him, our building is named The Sam Len Hillel House.
Joseph Pedott’s z” l relationship with our Hillel dates back to 1967 when he was asked to make a donation to our fledgling organization. At the time, Joe was a young advertising agent working in San Francisco, earning approximately $4,000 annually. While Joe did not have much money to spare, he did want to lend his support. He made a promise to give the proceeds from his next sale to Hillel. Remarkably, his next sale garnered $25,000. True to his word, Joe donated the entire amount to Hillel. This generous gift helped us provide a home away from home for the Jewish college students in our area for many years.
Joe went on to become a renowned inventor, entrepreneur, and manufacturer of famous products such as the Chia Pet. Joe reconnected with our Hillel in 2007 and made another promise: to help build a new house on this very spot. Through his tremendous generosity and vision, Joe became a vital partner and enabled us to realize our dream of building a new home. Today, Tuesday Brunch, Shabbat, and many programs are held in Joseph Pedott Hall.