Explore RIT Hillel
RIT Hillel has been dedicated to ensuring a thriving Jewish student life on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) since 1954. Hillel enjoys prayer and dining space in the Schmitt Interfaith Center, as well as meeting space in the Spirituality & Religious Life (SRL) Center. Additionally, campus boasts a dedicated programming, cooking and lounging space, Hillel House, conveniently located in Residence Hall B. The student-facilitated Hillel House kosher kitchen affords students, faculty and staff Shabbat and holiday meals.
Hillel offers weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services (Friday, 6:30 pm, in Jones Chapel), followed by either kiddush or a full Shabbat meal (7:30 pm), depending on the week. All RIT community members are welcome!
Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT is located in Henrietta NY, a suburb of Rochester, NY. There are about 15,000 undergraduates at RIT, as well as 3,000 graduate students. There are an estimated 300 Jewish students at RIT. RIT comprises multiple colleges, including the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), the nation's largest Deaf technical school.
Rochester Jewish Community
The Rochester Jewish community is estimated at 19,000 people. There are Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Chabad synagogues. Synagogues in Rochester regularly welcome the participation of RIT students to a variety of programs.
Jewish Life on Campus at RIT
RIT Hillel is one of several campus organizations pursing a vibrant Jewish campus life. We proudly partner with WOLK Deaf Jewish Culture Club. Additionally, Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity provides community, leadership and engagement opportunities for Jewish students on campus.
The Cary Graphics Art Collection at the Wallace Library contains one of the biggest collections of Yiddish typeface from The Yiddish Forward. They are consistently looking for students to work with them as they catalog this valuable collection.
Gaming
Hillel staff are able and willing to connect students to RIT based gaming projects. These include the Jewish Play Project.
Staffing
RIT Hilllel activites are coordinated by the Hillel Student Board.
Undergraduate Enrollment
13,085 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
2,790 Students
*Percent of population
Jewish Experience
- Served by Hillel Yes
- Religious Services Available Yes
- Rabbi/Jewish Educator on Campus No
- Kosher Food Available Unknown
- Birthright Israel Participation No
- Alt Break Participation No
- Jewish Studies Offered No
- Jewish Studies Major or Minor None
- Israel Fellow No
Religious Services
With the support of the RIT Jewish Student Life Engagement Coordinator, RIT Hillel students lead weekly Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat services. High Holy Day services are led by an outside professional who travels annually to Rochester for the purpose. Even so, students are heavily involved in the High Holy Day services, reading Torah and Haftarah, offering divrei Torah, blowing shofar, etc. The intention is for services to reflect the practices and interests of as many students as possible through their active input and participation.
Frequency: Contact this hillel
Additional Campus Information
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- Private/Public Private
- Acceptance Rate 71%
- U.S. Region Northeast
- Commuter/Residential Residential
- Tuition In-State $53,720
- Tuition Out-of-State $53,720
- Out-of-State/Int’l 54% / 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].