GradHillel

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Welcome to GradHillel!

BU is home to 2,000 Jewish graduate students and we are excited to begin working with you all in new ways. Whether masters or PhD, part-time or full-time, remote on in-person, we cannot wait to meet you!  You’ll meet friends, build community, grow your network, and have fun. We also have funding available, professional support, and a beautiful venue to bring your ideas to life! 

Opportunities for Graduate Students

Shabbat

Dates for our monthly Graduate Student Shabbat Dinners are on our BU Hillel calendar here. Alternatively, you may sign up to host a Shabbat meal for a group of friends at a location of your choice, with whatever cuisine you’re in the mood for. Hillel will pay $10 per BU graduate student. Just contact Gal Tuchman (gtuchman@bu.edu) for more information or to get reimbursed.

1×1 Meetings

We are excited to offer opportunities to have coffee with two of our staff members. Rabbi Sonia Salzman (ssaltzma@bu.edu), and Gal Tuchman (gtuchman@bu.edu), Jewish Agency Israel Fellow for Graduate Students. Both would be delighted to meet with you, so feel free to email! They are happy to chat about Judaism, Israel, or to hear about what’s going on in your life! 

Jewish Learning Fellowship

The Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF) classes offer a safe space to make friends, build community, and explore what being Jewish means to you and your peers. This all happens through the lens of meaningful Jewish text learning with delicious meals and stipends for your time. BU Hillel will offer courses taught by a Rabbi and are exclusively graduate students. Please complete the brief application for more information to sign up for the upcoming semester. Spring 2026 JLF class applications are now closed. Stay tuned for mid-semester classes soon!

Microgrants for Your Clubs, Groups, Events

We are here to support your events and passions. Whether your group is already established or you have a new idea, we have money, space, graphic designers, marketing, and staff mentorship time to help make your events come to life.

Program Guide: To submit a program proposal, click here.

Marketing Request: To submit a marketing request, click here.


BU Winter Grad Birthright Trip to Israel 

10 days. New Friends. Unforgettable Experiences.

Join BU Hillel for an unforgettable Winter Grad Birthright Trip to Israel, January 3–14!

Travel with BU graduate students and young adults ages 22–26 from across the U.S. and experience the best of Israel, from floating in the Dead Sea and watching the sunrise at Masada to exploring Jerusalem, experiencing Tel Aviv nightlife, tasting incredible Israeli food, and engaging in meaningful conversations about Israel and the region.

Adventure • Food & Culture •  Explore •  Community •  Meaningful Experiences

Ready to join us? Sign up and submit your deposit to reserve your spot!


Graduate Student Fellowships at BU Hillel

Build Community. Lead. Make an Impact.

Looking for a way to get more involved in Jewish life at BU? Our graduate fellowships give you the opportunity to build meaningful connections, develop leadership skills, and help shape the Grad Hillel community.

  • Grad Hillel Coffee Crew
    • Build community, one coffee at a time.
    • The Coffee Crew is a semester-long opportunity for graduate students who enjoy meeting new people and building meaningful connections. Meet one-on-one with fellow graduate students over coffee, welcome new students, and help create a more connected community across BU.
    • Coffee Crew members receive:
      • $20 for each coffee meetup
      • An additional $10 stipend for completing each conversation
      • A leadership stipend
      • Three Coffee Crew gatherings throughout the semester
  • Grad Hillel Advising Fellowship
    • Help shape Jewish graduate life at BU.
    • Work alongside Gal to plan meaningful programs and bring your ideas to life. Advising Fellows help plan and lead events, develop new community initiatives, and connect with other student leaders.
      • Advising Fellows receive:
        • $100 semester stipend
        • Hands-on leadership and event-planning experience
        • Three leadership gatherings throughout the semester
        • The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Jewish graduate life at BU

    Apply here for advising fellowship and apply here for coffee crew!

     

    Check out Typical GradHillel Events: 

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    FAQ’s:

    Can I invite friends to join?

    Absolutely! You can totally share the application with friends or put them in touch with Rabbi Sonia.

    Are there JLF cohorts offered in other semesters?

    Yes! There will be at least one JLF cohort exclusively for graduate students each semester. We hope to offer more graduate student exclusive classes as the program grows. In the meantime you are also welcome to join the undergraduate options which have included topics such as cooking, LGBTQ+, Jewish values on college campus, professional skills, social justice, and many many more.

    What do I have to pay?

    JLF is absolutely free! In fact, we pay YOU a generous stipend.

    What’s the application like?

    The application takes 5 minutes tops. It’s easy and fast to pick the classes that interest you.

    Do I have to be religious?

    Nope! JLF is for anyone and everyone regardless of how “Jewish” you are.

    Other Questions?

    Gallery

    Our Graduate Student Life Team

     

    Gal Tuchman

    Jewish Agency Israel Fellow for Graduate Students

    gtuchman@bu.edu.

     

     

     

    Rabbi Sonia Saltzman

    Graduate Students Rabbinic Advisor

    ssaltzma@bu.edu.