Frequenty Asked Questions

How many Jewish students are there at the Claremont Colleges?

Out of the 6,000 students at the five colleges, we estimate that about 500-700 students identify themselves as being Jewish.

How many students participate in Hillel activities?

Because we do not have any type of “membership,” this question is more difficult to gauge. Some events engage over 100 students, and some 15 students.

How active is Jewish student life on campus?

There are many organizations, in addition to Hillel, that serve Jewish students on campus. The Jewish Student Union is the social programming wing of the Jewish community, the Jewish Mentor Program is a mentor program for Jewish first year students, the Kosher Chords is a 5-C Jewish a cappella group, and Challah for Hunger, with chapters at Scripps College and Pomona College, is a non-profit organization that raises money and awareness, through baking and selling challah, for the refugees of the genocide in Darfur. These organizations make up the Jewish life on campus. The activity of each group varies at each event and the time of the year.

I connect to Judaism culturally and socially, but not religiously. What does Hillel have to offer me?

We have many events that contain no religious content; rather, they are simply events put on by Hillel to provide an environment for Jews to hang out in a Jewish environment. Like all of our events, they are open to everybody!

I love doing social action! Does Hillel offer tzedek programs that will cater to my interests?

Hillel’s main social action program is our Mitzvah of the Month program. Our Tzedek Chair on the Hillel Student Board, along with other students on campus, organizes a monthly mitzvah project for students at the five colleges. In the past, we have volunteered at the Bernard Field Station, sang Hannukkah songs with the elderly at the Claremont Manor, and advocated to stop the genocide in Darfur in the Los Angeles-wide Hillel event, Just for a Day. The Board welcomes all suggestions for our Mitzvah of the Month, so it can be catered exactly to your tastes. Additionally, during spring break, students have the option of joining International Hillel's Alternative Spring Break trips—week-long social action programs to various parts of the country and world. Most recently, students from the Claremont Colleges joined Hillel in an ASB trip to help rebuild New Orleans after Hurricaine Katrina. Also, Challah for Hunger, an affiliate program of Hillel, bakes and sells challah on a weekly basis to raise money and awareness for humanitarian aid for the refugees in Darfur.

Does Hillel offer religious services? If so, what denomination?

We have services every Friday night at 5:30 pm followed by a home-cooked Shabbat dinner. We also organize Saturday morning services about once a month. Our services vary from traditional to Reconstructionist to Reform and Conservative. If you would like to see a specific type of prayer, don't hesitate to ask!

I am an observant Jewish student. What does Hillel have to offer me?

Hillel offers a place to jumpstart your Jewish life outside of your home, at college. We have weekly Shabbat services and dinner, and monthly Saturday morning services. While we do not have a strong Orthodox community at the Claremont Colleges, we can put you in touch with students with similar backgrounds who have graduated from the Claremont Colleges so that you can hear first-hand accounts.

I would like to go to Israel. How can I go through Hillel at the Claremont Colleges?

Do not fear! There are many opportunities to learn about and travel to Israel through the Jewish community here! Hillel sponsors two Birthright Israel trips per year. Birthright is an all-expense paid trip to Israel for 18-26 year old young adults who have not traveled to Israel before on a peer led program. Students learn about all aspects of Israeli culture and society in this fabulous and eye-opening trip.

Is there a Jewish Studies major at the Claremont Colleges?

While there is not an official Jewish Studies major at the Claremont Colleges, it is possible to major or minor in Jewish Studies with very little trouble. Currently, Jewish Studies is a self-designed major at all of the Claremont College. Students can choose from an array of courses offered by professors at the Claremont Colleges as well as courses offered at the Claremont Graduate University. For more information about majoring or minoring in Jewish Studies, please look at the course guidebook at your desired college.