Jewish Learning

At BU Hillel, Jewish learning is a cornerstone of our vibrant student community. Whether you are seeking a deep dive into Jewish thought, casual discussions on identity and well-being, or personalized guidance, our staff offers creative, fun, and meaningful learning opportunities open to the entire campus. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background, experience, or where you are on your Jewish journey!

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.

Experiential Learning & Boston Cohorts

Learning Through Action, Culture & Community. Learn more here.

Find your people and explore Boston through the activities you already love! Our Experience Cohorts are semester-long micro-communities built around shared passions, combining social outings with group learning and mentorship.

Every Experience cohort includes:

• 2 Premium Boston Outings (e.g., Celtics/Bruins games, theater shows, kayaking, or food tours)

• 2 Group Hangouts & Learning Sessions

• 1-on-1 Coffee on us with your staff mentor

Cohort themes include Sports, Theater, Food & Culinary Tours, Outdoor Adventure, Fitness & Movement, Music, and 21+ Nightlife.

Shmooze Groups

Small Groups. Big Conversations. Real Connections.

Sign-Up Here (10/22/26-11/6/26)!

Join a Shmooze Group to connect with other BU students in a relaxed, meaningful setting! Led by BU Hillel staff and educators, Shmooze Groups offer an informal space to explore topics that matter to your daily life on campus—from navigating stress and identity to exploring relationships and values.

• Meaningful Topics: Choose a cohort that fits your current life stage and interests.

• Earn a Stipend: Complete the group requirements and receive a $150 stipend for your participation.

• Zero Pressure: No prerequisites or prior knowledge required—just bring yourself and an open mind!

View Photos from Our Classes

One-on-One Learning & Pastoral Care

Explore at Your Own Pace: In our tight-knit community, you have the unique opportunity to learn one-on-one with Rav Micha, our Campus Rabbi, or another member of our rabbinic staff. They are available to meet students wherever they are on their Jewish journey to explore how Jewish tradition and identity are relevant to their lives today.

• Custom Topics: Learn anything from beginner concepts to advanced texts, or simply drop in for individual pastoral care and guidance.

• Open to All: All questions are welcome, and everyone is invited.

Contact and FAQ’s:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can I invite friends to join? Absolutely! Feel free to share the application link with friends or put them in touch with our team.

• Are there different cohorts offered each semester? Yes! We offer a wide variety of JLF and Shmooze Group cohorts every Fall and Spring semester covering diverse topics (cooking, LGBTQ+ identity, campus life, wellness, professional ethics, social justice, and more). You are welcome to participate across multiple semesters.

• What does it cost? All of our programs are 100% free! In fact, participants in JLF and Shmooze Groups receive a stipend upon completing the program requirements.

• What is the application like? Quick and easy! The application takes under 5 minutes to select the classes or groups that interest you most.

• Do I have to be religious? Not at all! Our learning programs are designed for students of all backgrounds and perspectives, no matter how you define or express your Jewish identity.

Our Rabbinic Educators

Rav Micha – Campus Rabbi and University Chaplain

Rabbi Jevin Eagle – Chief Executive Officer and University Chaplain

Rabbi Jevin Eagle has been at BU Hillel since 2017 and is excited to leverage his entrepreneurial talent, spiritual depth, and passion for Hillel’s mission as the Chief Executive Officer of Boston University Hillel and University Chaplain. He also has served on the faculty of Boston University Questrom School of Business, as Professor of the Practice, Strategy and Innovation and Executive Director of Social Impact Initiatives.

Rabbi Jevin received rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College Rabbinic School in June 2019. Prior to attending rabbinical school, Jevin Eagle was the CEO of DavidsTea, a senior executive at Staples, Inc., and a partner at McKinsey & Company. He was one of the executives responsible for Staples’ “Easy Brand” Strategy and the famous “Easy Button.” Eagle says his career change from business to the Rabbinate was the fulfillment of a life-long dream to immerse himself in Torah study and serve the Jewish people. Illustrative of his commitment to the Jewish community while working in business, Jevin served as Board Chair of Harvard Hillel and Dartmouth Hillel from 2002 to 2006. Rabbi Jevin has an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he served as an executive committee member on the Jewish Students Association, and a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, where he majored in religion and government and served as Hillel student president. Before Harvard Business School, he helped found Jewish Lights Publishing. He serves on the board of directors of Carter’s, Inc., the leading branded apparel marketer for babies and young children, and was a trustee of Hebrew College.

Rabbi Sonia Saltzman – Graduate Students Rabbinic Advisor

Rabbi Saltzman is excited to serve graduate students at BU Hillel. Rabbi Sonia Saltzman has served as a congregational rabbi in the Boston area for the past ten years, first at Sha’arei Shalom, Ashland and from 2011-2018 as Senior Rabbi at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline. Rabbi Saltzman was ordained in 2008 as part of the first graduating class of the Rabbinical School at Hebrew College. During Rabbinical School, she held student pulpits at Temple Emanuel in Newton and at Temple Aliyah in Needham, completed chaplaincy training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and served as faculty for the Bronfman Youth Fellowship Program in Israel. Prior to entering the rabbinate, Rabbi Saltzman worked in the field of micro-finance at ACCION International as head of the Financial Services Department, extending credit to small businesses in the developing world. She also worked in Bank of Boston’s Project Finance Department and taught in its Loan Officer Development Program. Rabbi Saltzman is a graduate of Tufts University and holds a Masters Degree in International Affairs (Columbia University) and a Masters Degree in Bible and Jewish Thought (Brandeis University). She is married to Dr. Ned Saltzman, a urologist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and has two grown sons, Benjamin and Gabriel. Rabbi Saltzman grew up in Chile. Email Rabbi Sonia at ssaltzma@bu.edu.

Rabbi Yitzi Ehrenberg – Orthodox Educator

Rabbi Yitzchak Ehrenberg is a mechanical engineer by degree, father of three, and aspiring alliterative Terza Rema poet. When not reading Paradise Lost, he enjoys watching Star Wars and designing or building phased array antennas. He is a graduate of Yeshiva College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, and looks forward to meeting and learning Torah with everyone at BU Hillel! Email Rabbi Yitzi at imehrenb@bu.edu.