Religious Life at Hillel
Friday Night Shabbat
Friday Nights, student led Kabbalat Shabbat services take place in the sanctuary [check the main page for the times, which change each term according to the sunset]. The service includes Hebrew and English and is tailored to the needs of all community members. Hillel is not officially linked to any one denomination of Judaism, and we make a point of being inclusive. People with new ideas are always welcome to contribute to the service; anyone who wishes to lead all or part of services on any given Friday may do so. After the kiddish and the motzi are over, a free, student-cooked kosher dinner is served. The menu changes from week to week and from cook to cook, but the food is always kosher and always delicious. Hillel's cooking coordinators go to great lengths to guarantee an enjoyable meal for all who come. The meals are always open to everyone, so come and join us, and bring your friends!
Learner's Service
In addition to our regular Friday night services, we hold a Learner's Service at least once per term. This is a particular opportunity for anyone, regardless of experience, to learn about our Shabbat service. We take special care during our learner's services to explain the various prayers and rituals, and we encourage everyone to attend.
Saturday Morning Services
Saturday Morning Services, run by the UVJC and led by Rabbi Boraz, are at 9:30am. Hillel students, as well as anyone else interested, are always welcome to attend.
Havdallah
Havdallah Services are held occasionally during the year at sundown on Saturday evenings. We usually hold at least one Havdallah per term, and they are usually accompanied by a delicious dinner.
Passover
Each year, Hillel sponsors a Passover Seder.
The large Seder takes place on the first night, and we have on average 200+
people each year attending the main Seder in the sanctuary. Additional
Seders are also held in various rooms of the Roth Center, and can be led by anyone who
wants to lead their own Seder. Hillel provides each smaller Seder with
everything needed to properly celebrate the holiday.
Students coordinate and help lead the main Seder and each separate Seder that takes place on the first night. A
fully kosher and delicious dinner is catered, and students, as well as
community members, come together to partake in a wonderful event. The
following evening, there are usually some smaller Seders to choose from. The
Roth Center is kept strictly kosher for Passover. Furthermore, for the
entire duration of Passover, students can eat fully kosher for Passover
meals at the Pavilion, Dartmouth’s kosher dining facility.
High Holidays
Hillel makes an added effort to accommodate the Dartmouth community's Jewish population during holidays and special religious observances. For the High Holidays, joint services with the UVJC are held in Rollins Chapel, Dartmouth's non-denominational chapel. Attendance at these Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services is strong, generally around 500 people. Holidays, including Purim, Chanukah, Simchat Torah and Sukkot, are celebrated at the Roth Center as well.