Explore Hillel at Hobart and William Smith Colleges
The Abbe Center for Jewish Life, home of HWS Hillel and the Jewish Culture Theme House (with space for 9 student residents), is the center of Jewish life on campus. The spacious living and dining areas in the Abbe Center make it ideal for gatherings, from Shabbat and holiday meals and celebrations to discussions, movies and a variety of other programs organized by Hillel, The Abbe Center, academic departments or the theme house residents. Highlights of the Hillel year on campus include bagel brunches, Jewish cooking classes, "Bart Mitzvah," (a mock Bar/Bat Mitzvah party), community service opportunities, theme Shabbats (including Israel Shabbat, Green Shabbat, Rainbow Shabbat, and more), and HWShabbat - a huge Shabbat dinner in the center of campus. In addition, through an arrangement between the Office of Spiritual Engagement and Temple Beth-El, all Jewish students are members of the local synagogue, and are welcome at all of its services and events. Our students participate in Birthright trips, Alternative Spring Break trips through HWS's Center for Civic Engagement and Service learning, and a trip to Poland and Germany offered every other year by the Religious Studies department.Undergraduate Enrollment
2,061 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
9 Students
*Percent of population
Jewish Experience
- Served by Hillel Yes
- Religious Services Available Yes
- Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator No
- Kosher Food Available Yes
- Birthright Israel Participation No
- Alt Break Participation No
- Jewish Studies Offered Yes
- Jewish Studies Major or Minor Minor, Other
- Israel Fellow No
- JLIC Educator No
- Hillel Mental Health/Wellness Staff No
Campus Climate for Jewish Students
- Hillel CCI Antisemitism Training Participant No
- Open Title VI Investigation No
- Anti-Israel Student Government or BDS Resolution None
Kosher Dining
The Tina Wasserman Kosher Kitchen in the Abbe Center for Jewish Life allows for weekly Shabbat and holiday meals, prepared in the kitchen by a professional chef. A separate kitchen in the Center is used daily by Abbe Center residents.
Options: Meals available on shabbat/holidays only;Kosher food available nearby
Religious Services
Students attend services at the local synagogue, Temple Beth-El. Temple Beth-El is affiliated with the URJ, but the congregation encompasses a variety of Jewish backgrounds. HWS Hillel offers services on campus for Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidrei.
Frequency: Contact this hillel
Additional Campus Information
Visit University Website
- Private/Public Private
- Acceptance Rate 66%
- U.S. Region Northeast
- Commuter/Residential Residential
- Tuition In-State $58,650
- Tuition Out-of-State $58,650
- Out-of-State/Int’l 61% / 5%
- Greek Life Yes
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].