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Explore Hillel at Washington University in St. Louis
WashU Hillel has enhanced the lives of thousands of college students throughout St. Louis and helped Washington University cultivate one of the most vibrant campus Jewish communities in the country. We are honored to play an important role in advancing the University’s goal of “knowing every student by name and by story,� and are the only organization that fosters Jewish pluralism on campus.
We have a beautiful home on Forsyth, but we are more than just our building and the programs that take place there. WashU Hillel seeks to support and empower Jewish students along their own unique paths…wherever they are and in whatever ways are most meaningful to them.
Through social justice programs, Birthright Israel trips, Shabbat and holiday meals, Israel engagement, Jewish learning, social events, religious services, our popular DIY opportunities (helping students gather among friends for a Shabbat or holiday meal on their own), and so much more, we are committed to helping students make lasting friendships, find community, and develop their own enduring Jewish traditions.
As a result of the pandemic, rising antisemitism, and the ongoing mental health epidemic—we’ve learned to support students through all kinds of challenges.
Our Hillel currently serves approximately 1,850 Jewish undergraduates attending Washington University. Students from other universities throughout the St. Louis region enjoy our programming as well. During the 2022-23 academic year, WashU Hillel engaged almost 2,500 students, including over 1,000 Jewish undergraduates.
We’ve also taken hundreds of students to Israel – our trips are open to all undergraduates in or from the St. Louis area and their friends ages 18-22. Our next trips will take place December 26, 2023 - January 5, 2024 and May 2024.
More information about our Birthright Israel program can be found at washubirthright.com.
WashU Hillel is a community partner of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and is affiliated with Hillel International, connecting our organization to a vast network of Jewish college students throughout the world.
To learn more about our Hillel or for information on how you can get involved or join one of our Birthright Israel trips, visit our website or find WashU Hillel on Instagram (@washuhillel) or Facebook (fb.me/washuhillel).
This Hillel serves: Washington University in St. Louis; Fontbonne College
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,750 Jewish Students (22.2%*) 7,897 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
0 Jewish Students (0%*) 8,233 Students
*Percent of population
Anti-Israel Student Government or BDS Resolution
Passed
Anti-Israel Encampment, Spring 2024
Yes
Kosher Dining
Kosher hot food available in undergraduate dining hall for lunch and dinner daily, and kosher prepackaged meals are available all throughout campus. Additionally, Hillel offers many holiday meals.
Options:
University meal plan-no extra cost;Kosher food available nearby
Religious Services
Daily morning minyan with mincha/maariv around campus; a weekly egalitarian Conservative Shabbat evening service at Hillel or on campus and bi-weekly Shabbat morning service; weekly Orthodox Shabbat morning service; Reform Shabbat evening service once per month. We also offer High Holiday services.
Hillel’s New Professionals Institute is held every year at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) for all new staff members in the Hillel movement. It is an opportunity for new professionals to connect with their peers from all over the world and to learn about the skills and values that make Hillel the largest and most inclusive Jewish campus organization in the world.
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].
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