Fresh Fest
Fresh Fest is our welcome weekend just for incoming students, featuring a baseball game, a tour of the football stadium, meals, social events, and Shabbat.
Explore Ohio State University Hillel
Since 1925, OSU Hillel has been a cornerstone of Jewish life at The Ohio State University, making it one of the oldest and most established Hillels in the world. For a century, we've helped Buckeyes build community, explore their Jewish identity, and create lasting connections that extend far beyond graduation. Today, OSU Hillel serves thousands of Jewish students through a wide range of student organizations, leadership opportunities, fellowships, Shabbat and holiday experiences, campus-wide events, and immersive travel programs in Israel and around the world. Our 28,000-square-foot home serves as a hub for Jewish life on campus, featuring a kosher café that accepts BuckID meal plans, the Schiff Fitness Center, comfortable study and gathering spaces, and countless opportunities to connect. Whether students are attending their first Shabbat dinner, taking on leadership roles, preparing for careers after college, or finding their place within the Jewish community, OSU Hillel is there every step of the way. We are committed to creating a welcoming, vibrant, and inclusive environment where every Jewish student can thrive. Through meaningful relationships, transformative experiences, and opportunities for learning and leadership, OSU Hillel inspires students to deepen their connection to Judaism, Israel, and the Jewish people while building a strong foundation for lifelong Jewish engagement.Undergraduate Enrollment
2,777 Jewish Students (6.1%*)
45,638 Students
*Percent of population
45,638 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
350 Jewish Students (2.4%*)
14,628 Students
*Percent of population
14,628 Students
*Percent of population
Jewish Experience Through Hillel
At OSU Hillel, Jewish life is as diverse as our students. Whether you're looking for meaningful Shabbat and holiday celebrations, Jewish learning opportunities, social events, leadership experiences, Israel engagement, community service, or simply a place to relax with friends, you'll find a welcoming community here. Students from every background, denomination, and level of Jewish experience are encouraged to explore Judaism in ways that are meaningful to them. Through authentic relationships, vibrant traditions, and transformative experiences, OSU Hillel helps students build a lasting connection to Jewish life, Israel, and the Jewish people.
- Served by Hillel Yes
- Religious Services Available Yes
- Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator Yes
- Hillel Mental Health/Wellness Staff No
- Kosher Food Available Yes
- Birthright Israel Participation Yes
- Alt Break Participation No
- Israel Fellow No
- JLIC Educator No
Campus Climate for Jewish Students
- Hillel CCI Antisemitism Training Participant Yes
- Open Title VI Investigation Yes
- Anti-Israel Student Government or BDS Resolution Prevented
Kosher Dining
Hillel's professionally operated kosher restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily at subsidized prices from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday. Friday night Shabbat dinner is free. The Hillel kosher restaurant is a part of the Ohio State meal plan; any student who participates in the OSU meal plan can use their swipes to access delicious kosher food at Hillel.
Options: Hillel meal plan-no extra cost
Religious Services
Our vibrant Jewish community offers both Conservative and Reform Shabbat services, many of which are student-led, allowing students to take an active role in shaping Jewish life on campus while receiving support and guidance from our Senior Jewish Educator. Every Friday night, students gather for free Shabbat dinners that bring Jewish Buckeyes together for community and celebration. Throughout the year, OSU Hillel provides professionally led High Holiday services and festive holiday experiences, including Passover seders and all meals during Passover, ensuring students have access to Jewish observance no matter their background.
Frequency: Friday night only
Wellness, Inclusion, and Activism
OSU Hillel is home to a variety of student-led organizations that help students explore their Jewish identities, pursue their interests, and build meaningful connections. These groups include BuckiPAC, which promotes bipartisan education and dialogue about Israel on campus; Jews on Campus, which helps introduce students—especially first-years—to Jewish life at Ohio State; MeshugaNotes, Ohio State’s first and only co-ed Jewish a cappella group; the Jewish Pre-Health Association; Adamah, which focuses on Jewish environmentalism and sustainability; Jewish Women in Law; and Professional Development Services, which supports students’ career exploration and professional growth. Together, these organizations provide opportunities for leadership, learning, advocacy, community building, and personal development.
Additional Campus Information
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- Jewish Studies Offered Yes
- Jewish Studies Major or Minor Minor, Major
- Study Abroad in Israel University sponsored program, University approved programs, Accepts credit for Israel study abroad
- Private/Public Public
- Acceptance Rate 61%
- U.S. Region Midwest
- Commuter/Residential Residential
- Tuition In-State $12,545
- Tuition Out-of-State $41,327
- Out-of-State/Int’l 30% / 8%
- Greek Life Yes
Events
Related Scholarships
Check out some of the scholarships available for Ohio State University Jewish students.
Ohio State University
Charlotte Susan Roth Memorial Fund Essay Contest
Essay topics can include any aspect of Jewish Studies (Bible, language, literature, history, culture of Israel, etc.) Open to any undergraduate or graduate student at Ohio State who has written a paper on a topic related to Jewish Studies. There are first and second cash prizes ($1,000 and $750, respectively).
Ohio State University
Ellen E. and Victor J. Cohn Education Abroad Scholarship Fund
Financial support is available for study at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Preference given to students attending Hebrew U for the entire academic year. Award is contingent on acceptance to Hebrew U and Ohio State approval of student travel to Israel. Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate at Ohio State.Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 deadline 2/24/2020
Ohio State University
Leah Metchnick Godofsky and Martin R. Godofsky Scholarship
Upon consultation with the faculty, the Student Awards Committee of the Melton Center for Jewish Studies at The Ohio State University will award $500 annually to one deserving undergraduate student enrolled in courses of Jewish study at the university level. This award is nominated by faculty and does not require an application.
The Hillel College Guide aims to provide you with a snapshot of each local Hillel’s makeup and offerings. We recognize that there may be more information you need in order to better understand the campus reality, particularly around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. If you would like additional information about a given campus’ offerings or action steps in those areas, please reach out to us at [email protected].