Fall 2020 & Spring 2021

This is the home for updates about Berkeley Hillel’s Fall 2020 programs and events.

Updated August 19, 2020

The Berkeley Hillel Building

Due to the recent ban on in-person gatherings by UC Berkeley, Berkeley Hillel is canceling all in-person events including Shabbat candlelighting until further notice. The Berkeley Hillel Board of Directors and Covid-19 Taskforce have made the difficult decision to close the inside of our building for students until at least January 2021. Having our building open for students and hosting events indoors would require large amounts of time and resources we feel like would be better used elsewhere. We feel like we will be able to serve the needs of students and create meaningful opportunities to connect that are safe and meaningful virtually and in outdoor spaces at Berkeley Hillel and around Berkeley. We know that our building is a beloved, important space for students, and our hope is that we can create an outdoor space that fulfills some of those same needs. 

Welcoming Students: Cal Bears near and far, past and present

We know that isolation will be a concern for students. Noticing people and providing community is at the core of what we do at Berkeley Hillel regardless of where students are living. We will be proactively providing ways for students to connect with community, staff, and student leaders, both in-person and virtually. 

For students choosing to unenroll, we welcome you to continue to join in on any events and programs you want to. Once a Cal Bear, always a Cal Bear! We also welcome young alumni to participate as well! This is a unique opportunity to have multiple generations of Cal Bears learning and connecting together– we want to see everyone!

Students, in order to best serve you we need to know where you are — –whether you’re in Berkeley, Los Angeles, or abroad. Please fill out our student information form. Even if you’re a returning student, we need to know where you are now so we can send you presents! 🙂 

New Student info Form 

Fall 2020 Q&A call for students and parents recording  – click here to view the panel with members of the Berkeley Hillel staff and Board of Directors about plans for student programs in the Fall 2020 semester. 

 

Interest and Learning


  • JEWSE: Jews in Science and Engineering

Greek Life


Affinity Spaces


  • Jews of Color Collective

  • Ga’avah

Outdoors and Athletics


  • Hillel Softball Club

  • Hillel Running Club

Jewish Learning Opportunities


  • Crafting Consent

Social Justice


  • Dayenu

  • Challah For Hunger

Israel and Hebrew Language


  • SIMCHA: Students for Israeli Medical Care and Health Aid

  • Mishelanu