GradHillel
Opportunities FAQs Contact Gallery
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! Email Rabbi Danny (shappyss@bu.edu), our inaugural Leven Manger for Graduate Student Life. He’d love to hear from you and get to know you over a cup of coffee.
- Stay tuned for our opening events and semester programs, and be sure to Join our weekly email list for regular updates!
- For any prospective, admitted or new student: Email Rabbi Danny (shappyss@bu.edu) to learn more and speak live on the telephone or Zoom.
- Follow us on Facebook (@BUHillel), TikTok (@bu_hillel) and Instagram (@bu_hillel)
Graduate Student Welcome Events
Friday, Sept 8 – Welcome Shabbat
- 7pm @ BU Hillel
- Sign up here.
Monday, Sept. 4 – Welcome Bagel Brunch
- 11am – 12:30pm @ Hillel 213 Bay State Road
- Sign up here
Wednesday, Sept 13 – Welcome Pub Night
- 5:00 – 6:00pm @ the BU Pub, 225 Bay State Road
- Sign up here
High Holidays
Grad High Holiday:
Graduate Students are welcome to join the larger BU community for holiday services. See the full schedule here.
We will also have the following graduate student events:
Friday, Sept. 15 – Erev Rosh Hashana:
- 7:00pm – New Year’s Toast & Dinner
Monday, Sep. 25 – Yom Kippur:
- 7:15pm – Break-Fast Meal
Sign up here.
Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Rosh Hashanah Popup and Grad Gifts
- 12:00-2:00pm @ the GSU Metcalf Ballroom
- Sign up here.
Shabbat and Holidays
See above to join for our first Shabbat of the semester. Dates for our monthly Graduate Student Shabbat Dinners will be posted soon. 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. Email Rabbi Danny to sign up!
Opportunities for Graduate Students
1×1 Meetings
We cannot wait to meet you, grab coffee, take a walk, or Zoom together. Just email Rabbi Danny (shappyss@bu.edu) to get together – no agenda, just to get to know you.
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. Please reach out to Rabbi Danny and then follow the links below to submit your proposals.
Program Guide: To submit a program proposal, click here.
Marketing Request: To submit a marketing request, click here.
Immersive Travel
Birthright Israel: Never been to Israel before? Contact Rabbi Danny shappyss@bu.edu for updates on future Graduate Students Birthright Israel Trips.
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 Rabbi Danny open exclusively to graduate students. Please complete the brief application for more information to sign up for the upcoming semester.
Apply for the Jewish Learning Fellowship here!
Check out Typical GradHillel Events:
FAQ’s:
Can I invite friends to join?
Absolutely! You can totally share the application with friends or put them in touch with Rabbi Danny.
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?
Reach out to Rabbi Danny (shappyss@bu.edu)
Meet Rabbi Danny
Email Rabbi Danny, our inaugural Leven Manger for Graduate Student Life. He’d love to hear from you and get to know you over a cup of coffee. We’re building the Graduate Hillel program from the ground up and we’d love your feedback, ideas, and partnership. Email Rabbi Danny at shappyss@bu.edu