Are you a prospective student looking at Brandeis?
Take a look at what our vibrant and diverse Jewish community has to offer.
Our students come from everywhere and from every Jewish background.
Jewish students at Brandeis come to our community with a wide variety of Jewish identities and experiences: just Jewish, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Jewish day school, public school, Jewish campers, non-campers, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Israeli, American, European, and Latin American.
Brandeis is the proud home to one of the most diverse and vibrant Jewish communities in the United States.
Our over twenty Hillel student groups are what drive and power the spirit of Jewish life on campus. From gaming, to learning, to community service, there’s always something going on.
So, what makes Brandeis unique?
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Brandeis' Jewish Roots
Established in 1948 by members of the American Jewish community, Brandeis earned its reputation as one of the top schools in the U.S. for Jews.
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Israel on Campus
At Brandeis, students can be unabashedly proud of Israel in public. During Israel Week, the whole campus celebrates the existence of a Jewish and democratic state.
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Hillel Is Everywhere
Our large Jewish population (35% of undergraduate students are Jewish) enjoys a vibrant and self-confident Jewish experience across the entire campus. From the Berlin Chapel, to the Beit Midrash, to the Hillel Lounge, you can find Jewish life flourishing everywhere.
What our students are saying:
With an undergraduate student body that is approximately 35 percent Jewish, Brandeis holds a unique position in higher education. Our Jewish students come from diverse backgrounds but share one thing in common: a desire to pursue an academically rigorous college education while being able to feel safe and supported in whatever way they want to express their Judaism. Watch these videos created in partnership with Brandeis Admissions.
Fast Facts
Hillel has over 20 student groups ranging from denominational groups and an cappella group, to a gaming group and a group for LGBTQ+ Jews.
Hillel is comprised of thriving denominational communities and prayer groups for Conservative, Orthodox, Reform and Sephardic students. We support and embrace all ways of being Jewish.
Hillel hosts three trips to Israel every year, and helps dozens of students find internships in Israel every summer.
Hillel empowers students to engage and get involved in Jewish communal leadership, and connects them to many organizations that serve the greater Jewish people.
Hillel has a Beit Midrash (Jewish learning space) with over 2,000 volumes ranging from Talmud to modern Jewish philosophy.
Brandeis University was founded in 1948 by the American Jewish community in response to antisemitism and discrimination on college campuses.
Brandeis has a student body of 3,600 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students.
Approximately 35% of Brandeis undergraduates identify as Jewish (approx. 1,300 students).
Brandeis students enjoy a safe and open environment to learn about, engage in discussion about, and express their appreciation for Israel, the Jewish state— both in academic and non-academic settings.
Hillel proudly collaborates with Brandeis faculty to offer students meaningful and engaging Jewish learning opportunities.
Hillel hosts students for Shabbat dinner every week at no charge, with no connection to the university meal plan.
There are no classes at Brandeis on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Passover.
Kosher dining is fully included in every university meal plan, and kosher-keeping students are able to eat in the same dining halls as their non-Jewish peers.
Brandeis is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, approximately 20 minutes drive from Boston. Students often enjoy the many kosher restaurants and engage in Jewish opportunities in Boston and its suburbs.
Hillel facilitates multiple student learning cohorts every year.
And that is only a glimpse into the many reasons why so many Jewish students call Brandeis and Hillel their home.
Visit us!
If you are interested in visiting Hillel, email hillel@brandeis.edu and we can help you out.
Regular tours of campus can be scheduled via Brandeis Admissions.
Want to connect and learn more?
Are you planning to visit campus soon? Let us know, and we would be happy to connect you with a current student.