What are some of the components of Jewish life at Lehigh?
How many Jewish students are at Lehigh?
Is there a building for Jewish life at Lehigh? Where is it located?
Is there a kosher food option available? Is the Jewish Student Center kosher?
Does the Jewish Student Center host Shabbat services and dinner?
What options are available for major Jewish holidays?
What are some of the programs that the Hillel Society offers?
Is there a Jewish studies program on campus?
How many members does Lehigh Hillel have?
What are some of the programs that the Hillel Society offers?
Who are the professional Jewish staff members on campus?
What are some of the components of Jewish life at Lehigh?
There are several student-run Jewish groups at Lehigh: Lehigh Hillel, Chabad at Lehigh, Challah for Hunger, Tamid, and AEPi fraternity. In addition, a wide variety of academic classes and Jewish programs are coordinated through the Berman Center for Jewish Students.
How many Jewish students are at Lehigh?
There between 800 Jewish undergraduate students at Lehigh. They make up between 18 percent of the undergraduate student body.
Where is the Jewish Student Center located?
The Jewish Student Center is located at 233 West Packer Avenue. The JSC has snacks, study spaces and a flat screen TV and is accessible between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to any Lehigh undergraduate by swiping their ID card. Graduate students may also request regular access by emailing Steve Nathan at spn217@lehigh.edu.
Is there a kosher food option available? Is the Jewish Student Center kosher?
While Lehigh does not have a formal kosher meal plan, there are numerous vegetarian and fish options in the various eating locations on campus for people who eat dairy/vegetarian outside of home. While it is not directly linked to Lehigh’s meal plan, the Jewish Student Center kitchen is kosher and available to students for making their own kosher meals, with prepared dinners every Friday night. Just contact Rabbi Steve Nathan at spn217@lehigh.edu if you would like to make arrangements for cooking kosher meals.
Does the Jewish Student Center host Shabbat services and dinner?
The Jewish Student Center hosts Shabbat services and dinner on a weekly basis every Friday night. Services and dinner can draw up to 50 students. For students seeking options for services Saturday morning, arrangements can be made to attend local synagogues.
What options are available for major Jewish holidays?
During the High Holidays, Lehigh Hillel sponsors a pre-Rosh Hashanah dinner and a post-Yom Kippur break fast, as well as religious services for two days of Rosh Hashanah and for Yom Kippur. In addition to hosting social events for Purim and Chanukah, Hillel also sponsors seders for the first two nights of Passover and ensures that students have kosher for Passover food for the length of the holiday. For other holidays, we are happy to connect students with the local Jewish community to enable them to attend services in the Lehigh Valley.
What are some of the programs that the Hillel Society offers?
The Hillel Society provides students with a number of Jewish social, religious and cultural activities, as well as opportunities for learning. Social programs particularly with other Lehigh Valley colleges are very important for a Jewish student's Lehigh experience. Holiday festivities and celebrations occur regularly at the Jewish Student Center. Hillel Society members are encouraged to suggest and plan programs that fit their specific interests. For more information go to hillel.lehigh.edu.
Is there a Jewish studies program on campus?
Lehigh offers students a wide variety of Jewish studies courses through the Berman Center for Jewish Studies. A Jewish studies minor is offered for interested students. To learn more about the Berman Center and its programs check out their website at www.lehigh.edu/~inber/inber.html.
How many members does Lehigh Hillel have?
We do not have a membership program and everyone at Lehigh is welcome to participate in any of the programs we offer.
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Who are the professional Jewish staff members on campus?
Rabbi Steve Nathan serves as Director of Jewish Student Life and Associate University Chaplain. He can be reached at spn217@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-4875.
Tyler Katz is the Engagement and Program Associate for the Office of Jewish Student Life and Lehigh Hillel. They can be reached at trk321@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-4893.
Jane Hontz is the full-time Office Coordinator for the Office of Jewish Student Life. She can be reached at jah714@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-4896.
The office is open on weekdays from 9-5, but is usually closed for lunch from 12-1. The office is closed on Jewish and University holidays.