Jewish Life 

Measuring Excellence 

Through Hillel International’s Measuring Excellence data initiative, Hillel at UCLA empirically measures the breadth and depth of Hillel’s impact, tracking attendance of unique and repeat students. In the categories of highest impact, Hillel at UCLA trends well above the national average when compared to universities with similar demographics.

Leadership and Engagement

More than 200 Student Leadership and Engagement Interns reach out to 2,000 Jewish Bruins throughout the year in partnership with Hillel’s Student Life professionals to build meaningful relationships through personal counsel, leadership development, education, and celebration. Student Interns attend Leadership Development sessions biweekly, learning how to engage their peers and integrate them into Jewish life at Hillel.

Shabbat and Holidays at Hillel

On average, 200 students make Hillel at UCLA their #1 Shabbat destination at UCLA. Multi-denominational services are

followed by a delicious, free, hot Kosher meal. On several Shabbats, guest speakers provide further enrichment focusing on topics such as interfaith, Israel, and inclusivity. During High Holy Days, Hillel offers a pluralistic approach to the 500 students and community members who attend, offering three sets of services: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Twice daily at Hillel, minyans are held for students to daven.

Learning 

Weekly Jewish Learning Fellowships

Each year 250 Jewish students participate in Jewish Learning Fellowships to explore one of three topics: Life’s Big Questions, Social Justice, and Israel—all through a Jewish lense. Fellowships occur in cohorts of around 20 students and meet for the entirety of a quarter, during which bonds between peers form, thus rooting students in the Jewish Bruin community.

Bearing Witness

In partnership with UCLA’s Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies, Hillel hosts Bearing Witness, an experiential academic course wherein 120 Jewish and non-Jewish students meet with Holocaust survivors weekly thus passing these vital stories unto the next generation.

Orthodox Union – Jewish Learning
Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC)

For over fifteen years, rabbinic couple Rabbi Aryeh and Sharona Kaplan have partnered to provide exploration of Jewish text, philosophy and practice through a range of weekly study groups and learning programs such as Parsha and Pizza, Nooshe Joon, JewQ and Jewish learning at the Law and Medical/Dentistry Schools. The Kaplans also offer many individual meetings, providing pastoral counseling and personal mentorship to both students and alumni as they navigate important life transitions.