Join us for Welcome Week!
Yom Kippur Services - Sept. 21
Come to the Hillel House as we begin the new year together. Students and family members of all ages are warmly invited to share in this meaningful holiday and enjoy a festive meal together! (RSVP Required)
1st Year Fresh Fest - Sept. 22
It’s the ultimate first-year welcome bash! Join fellow incoming Aggies & Hornets for dinner, games, and an optional sleep over. You don’t want to miss this highlight of the week (RSVP Required)
Involvement Fair & BBQ - Sept. 23
Meet our student clubs, find your people, & discover how you can get involved with Jewish life on campus! Then stick around for a free kosher BBQ in Hillel’s backyard
1st Year Pop-Up on the MU Quad - Sept. 24
Come hang out with fellow Hillel students for a chill picnic on the Quad. It's the perfect low-key opportunity to meet new people, make friends, and get a taste of Jewish life at UC Davis!
Welcome Back Shabbat - Sept. 25
Celebrate the first Shabbat of the year with student-led services at 6 pm, and a delicious, homemade kosher dinner at 7pm. Bring your friends and kick-off the school year in style!
Programs
Tuesday Brunch
Join us every Tuesday for a free brunch! Brunch starts at 11:30 am at the Hillel house and is buffet style. Come by anytime between 11:30-1:30 pm and grab a plate of delicious, kosher food made by our fabulous chef, Elli.
Shabbat
During the academic year we celebrate Shabbat each week with a fun theme. Student-led Kabbalat Shabbat services start at 6:00 pm and a delicious dinner is served at 7:00 pm prepared in our kosher kitchen by our chef and student volunteers.
Holiday Celebrations
Hillel provides a welcoming environment for students to connect, build community, and celebrate Jewish life. Some of our social events include Fresh Fest for first year and transfer students, Mastered the Brew for grad students, and Havdalah and S’mores.
One of our favorite events this past year was the Israeli Gadna trip to Yosemite. Guided by the outstanding team from Outdoor Adventures, students explored incredible trails, shared meals around the campfire, and experienced the joy of unplugging and connecting with nature—and each other.
Social Events
Hillel creates space for education, dialogue, and reflection throughout the year.
Our Jewish Learning Fellowship provides an opportunity for an interactive learning experience exploring Jewish identity, values, and contemporary issues.
Our Kol Yisrael series, led by our Israel Fellow, fostered a deeper appreciation for Israel's diverse culture and communities while creating meaningful connections among participants.
Learning Opportunities
We know students can’t be home for the holidays, so we bring the holidays to them. Our Passover seder serves over 150 students each year and is lead by our amazing student interns and volunteers.
We are never too young to dress up for a Purim party! This year we collaborated with other student organizations to make the party a huge success.