Fall Welcome Week
Welcome to Jewish Life at Cal!
We’re so excited you’re here and we can’t wait to welcome you. The best way to get to know the Jewish community at Cal is to attend our Hillel Welcome Week events for new students. Look out for our student leaders, who are excited to meet you and who will be around all of Hillel Welcome Week to chat and answer your questions.
Also, look out for registration for the Fall 2025 Freshmen Retreat in the Marin Headlands! Find all retreat information HERE.
Questions about Hillel Welcome Week? Let us know! Hannah Snyder, our Program Manager, is happy to help, reach out at hsnyder@berkeleyhillel.org.
Open House and Tours
Stop by Hillel to get to know our building, staff, and community. Come in and ask at the front desk for a tour!
Sample Schedule:
GBO Fair, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Come find us tableing at GBO and meet staff and student leaders, ask any questions you have, and grab some swag!
Welcome Shabbat for New Students, 6:00 p.m.
After a week of getting your bearings, settle into Shabbat with us. Take time to unplug from the week and plug into mindfulness.
“Please RSVP for Shabbat with our Hillel Texting system! Text “SHALOM” to 510-650-1390 and fill out the few follow-up questions. It’ll take less than 2 minutes! This is required to join certain events such as Shabbats and our weekly Jewish Community BBQ. After you are registered, text “SHABBAT” to RSVP for the New Student Shabbat.”
6:00 – Community Candle Lighting
Every week, join Hillel staff in the lobby as we transition into Shabbat with candle lighting and intention-setting. Candles will also be available all evening for you to light on your time.
6:15 – Kabbalat Shabbat, Kiddush, and Shabbat Dinner
Come together in song, meditation, and prayer to welcome Shabbat with your Berkeley Hillel community. Berkeley Hillel Minyan is a joyful prayer space that incorporates songs and traditions from various Jewish practices. And after services, there’s always a place at our Shabbat table! Join us in the auditorium for Kiddush and motzi (blessing over the bread), followed by a home-cooked Shabbat dinner. Come for the yummy food, stay for the company and holy Shabbat vibes!
Friday
Saturday
Havdalah at the Bayit, 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Join in community for a relaxing and chill end to the first week of classes. We’ll hang at the Bayit, Berkeley’s Jewish co-op, with some Shabbat friendly activities and then celebrate Havdalah under the stars.
Transfer Student Hang, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Are you a new transfer student to Cal? Join Berkeley Hillel for a fun and chill event to meet other transfer students and current Hillel Student Leaders! We’ll meet on Memorial Glade on campus for chill lawn games, friendship bracelets, snack, and shmoozing.
Sunday
Monday
GBO Affinity Spaces, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Come chat with Hillel students and staff at the GBO Affinity Space (Anthropology and Art Practice 0160) and learn about the Jewish experience at Berkeley Hillel. Hear about ways to get involved and learn what Berkeley Hillel has to offer. There will be a panel of student leaders to ask all your questions and a chance to mingle and meet other new students. After, make sure to join us at Hillel for a make-your-own-mezuzah after party!
Welcome Home: Make-Your-Own-Mezuzah, 6 – 7 p.m.
Make your new dorm feel like home, the Jewish way! Join Rav Maya for Mezuzah making at Hillel. As we get crafty, we’ll learn a bit about this mystical Jewish tradition, and talk about transitioning from home to college.
Taste of Hillel Bagel Brunch, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join us for a Bagel Brunch and to get a taste of Berkeley Hillel! Mingle with other new students, current student leaders, and learn about Hillel’s amazing programs and different ways to get involved!
Game Night in the Dov Den, 5:30-7 p.m.
Relax and chill before classes start with a fun game night at Hillel! We’ll have snacks, board games, and Just Dance. A great opportunity to meet other new students and current Student Leaders!
Tuesday
Wednesday
Mocktail Happy Hour for New Students, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
New students, join us for an exclusive happy hour before we open the doors for our weekly Jewish Community BBQ. Not only will you be able to schmooze with your fellow classmates and new students, but you’ll also get to be first in line for dinner!
Kickoff Jewish Community BBQ, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
After a long first day of classes, you deserve a delicious home-cooked meal! Join us every Wednesday for our famous weekly Jewish Community BBQ! Come every week to eat tasty Kosher BBQ food (cooked by our talented Kitchen Interns), see your friends, and meet new people!
Welcome Back Shabbat, 6:00 p.m.
Celebrate the end of your first week by joining the whole community for Shabbat at Hillel. Bless, sing, eat, and rest; what else is Shabbat for? RSVP by texting “SHALOM” to 510-650-1390.
6:00 – Community Candle Lighting
Every week, join Hillel staff in the lobby as we transition into Shabbat with candle lighting and intention-setting. Candles will also be available all evening for you to light on your time.
6:15 – Kabbalat Shabbat, Kiddush, and Shabbat Dinner
Come together in song, meditation, and prayer to welcome Shabbat with your Berkeley Hillel community. Berkeley Hillel Minyan is a joyful prayer space that incorporates songs and traditions from various Jewish practices. And after services, there’s always a place at our Shabbat table! Join us in the auditorium for Kiddush and motzi (blessing over the bread), followed by a home-cooked Shabbat dinner. Come for the yummy food, stay for the company and holy Shabbat vibes!
