Fresh Fest
Fresh Fest will be a fun opportunity for Jewish first year students to move onto campus early, form connections with other incoming students, get comfortable around campus and RI, and make memories that will last…
Explore University of Rhode Island Hillel
Hillel is the Jewish Student Center at the University of Rhode Island. The 5,000 square foot Norman M. Fain Hillel Center is located at 6 Quarry Rd (on Fraternity Circle) but our activities take place throughout campus and in the community. Hillel creates a warm and caring atmosphere where students are encouraged and empowered to explore Judaism in ways that are meaningful to them. Hillel has a full time professional staff of 3 including an Executive Director, a Director of Jewish Student Life, and a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow, as well as student interns who are always excited to take students out for coffee and conversation. We offer a full array of social, cultural, religious, community service and Israel related programming, as well as leadership development opportunities and student employment. For the most part, Jewish students at URI describe themselves as more culturally than religiously Jewish. Many of our most popular programs involve food including pickle making, challah baking, and community service baking projects. URI Hillel was honored with the Indispensable Campus Partner Award from Hillel International for inspiring the University community as a campus leader on diversity, interfaith programming, and multiculturalism. Hillel is recognized and acclaimed by the URI administration as one of the most active and dynamic organizations on campus. URI’s President, VP of Student Affairs, and VP of Community Equity and Diversity, regularly attend Hillel programs.Undergraduate Enrollment
850 Jewish Students (6.4%*)
13,381 Students
*Percent of population
13,381 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
50 Jewish Students (1.8%*)
2,834 Students
*Percent of population
2,834 Students
*Percent of population
Jewish Experience Through Hillel
- Served by Hillel Yes
- Religious Services Available Yes
- Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator No
- Hillel Mental Health/Wellness Staff No
- Kosher Food Available No
- Birthright Israel Participation Yes
- Alt Break Participation No
- Israel Fellow Yes
- JLIC Educator No
Campus Climate for Jewish Students
- Hillel CCI Antisemitism Training Participant No
- Open Title VI Investigation No
- Anti-Israel Student Government or BDS Resolution Failed
Religious Services
URI Hillel holds Shabbat evening services and dinners 2-3 times per month. The Hillel Shabbat Evening Service is student-led and varies in style, according to the background of person leading. Hillel is open to expanding its Shabbat service/dinner offerings and frequency as demand dictates. Shabbat dinners are always FREE for students! Hillel also provides supplies for students to host their own Shabbat dinners. Hillel holds High Holiday services on Erev Rosh HaShanah, the first day of Rosh HaShanah and on Yom Kippur. A communal seder is held on the first night of Passover. Hillel builds a sukkah and holds celebrations for Sukkot, Hanukkah and Purim.
Frequency: Contact this Hillel
Wellness, Inclusion, and Activism
Hillel partners with URI Health Services and the URI Counseling Center to support the physical and mental health of students. The Hillel building is fully accessible and provides quiet study space, games, snacks, and a relaxing atmosphere. Hillel encourages civic engagement. We participate in the MitzVote initiative and have 3-4 student Service Engagement Interns each year. Parents can order homemade matzah ball soup from URI Hillel to be delivered to their students.
Additional Campus Information
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- Jewish Studies Offered Yes
- Jewish Studies Major or Minor Other
- Study Abroad in Israel No credit for study abroad in Israel
- Private/Public Public
- Acceptance Rate 72%
- U.S. Region Northeast
- Commuter/Residential Residential
- Tuition In-State $14,630
- Tuition Out-of-State $34,834
- Out-of-State/Int’l 57% / 1%
- Greek Life Yes
Trips & Experiences
Events
Bagel Brunch
Meet other Jewish students and fuel up for Rhodyfest with a full, free, delicious, hot brunch buffet including eggs, french toast casserole, bagels with all the fixings, and more!
Rhodyfest
Find the Hillel booth at Rhodyfest to learn more about what we offer and geta free kosher pickle-on-a-stick.
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].