Berkeley Hillel addresses campus updates regarding COVID-19

March 9, 2020

Berkeley Hillel Community,

I’m writing to address the recent announcement by UC Berkeley to suspend all in-person classes and offer lectures and classes through different modalities. As a campus partner, we are taking our guidance from campus University Health Services and the larger campus administration. Based on the recommendation from health professionals we have made the following modifications to our regular programming through March 29th:

• Ongoing Programs: We are following the recommendations of the University of California, Berkeley and canceling all community gatherings to mitigate the risk of transmission and proactively protect our community. Berkeley Hillel is canceling all in-person events and meetings including BBQ, Challah for Hunger, Cafe Ivrit, Bagels on the Glade, and other weekly programs until March 29th.
• Shabbat: In order to support students in celebrating Shabbat on their own, we will be providing packaged dinners for students to pick up and host at home this Friday, March 13th. If you’re interested in signing up for dinner, RSVP here: https://berkeleyhillel.org/jew-it-yourself-shabbat-march-13th/
• Fellowships and Student Groups: Active fellowships will be moving to an online format and supervisors will be in touch with fellows directly. Please see the Berkeley Hillel program calendar in the coming days for updated information regarding any specific event.

Understanding the need to keep our value of welcoming and belonging, the Berkeley Hillel building will remain open until further notice with shortened open hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We ask that if you are sick or don’t feel well to not come to the building and there will be no food service or use of the kitchenette during this time.

It is critical for everyone to maintain basic health precautions that have been sent by the University. For information on the university’s response to coronavirus, see the UC Berkeley coronavirus information website. Information on the virus and related health and safety information is available on the special University Health Services website.

We recognize that this is a difficult time for so many and each person in our community will have different needs. The Berkeley Hillel staff will remain here as a support for students.

All the best,
Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman

A week like no other

March 17, 2020

Berkeley Hillel Community,

It is with a heavy heart, yet a deep sense of responsibility to ensure public health for the student community that we are closing Berkeley Hillel’s doors until further notice. In light of Monday’s announcement that six Bay Area counties are under a shelter in place order, we will be suspending building hours and all in-person programming. The shelter in place is until April 7th, and we will be reassessing closer to that time if anything can resume before the semester ends.

Over the next few weeks, look out for online and virtual opportunities to connect with Hillel staff and other members of the Jewish Community at Cal. For updated information, visit our website.