Shabbat Meals and Prayer

The Jewish way encourages us to carve out time for rest, reflection, and celebration, taking time to nourish our bodies and souls.

Shabbat Dinners and Services

We can’t wait to celebrate Shabbat with you this year! All BU students are welcome to join in on whatever parts of Shabbat feel right for you and fit into your schedule. Alternatively, you may sign up to host a Shabbat meal for a group of friends using Hillel funds! Join us for great food, new friends, and time to reflect and welcome in Shabbat. 

Friday night Shabbat at Hillel begins at 5:30, with games and drinks served in the lobby. Shabbat services run from 6:00-7:00 on the 4th floor. Shabbat Dinner will start at 7:00 in the 3rd floor dining hall. You can come to any part of the night that you would like! Please make sure you sign up below.

Hosting Your Own Friday Night Shabbat Dinner

You also can fill out this form have to host your own Shabbat dinner and be reimbursed $15/student in attendance! If you have any questions about hosting your own Shabbat, reach out to Rav Micha at mstettin@bu.edu.

Religious Communities and Spirituality

Our tefillah (prayer) services are open to everyone! Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform services are held on Friday nights. We also hold Orthodox Mincha services every day and other holiday services take place at varying times – check out this page throughout the year to learn more. All services are filled with energy and singing and held on the fourth floor of Hillel. For information on any of our religious communities or services, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Rav Micha. 

Reform Community

We hold services for Shabbat and holidays! Our dynamic services provide a sense of community and celebration through music and minyan participation. Prayers and songs during services are in Hebrew (transliterations are provided) and English, and also include responsive readings that can be found in our siddur, Mishkan T’filah.

Song melodies and prayer choices may be centered on a theme, anything from a particular musician to favorite childhood songs. Prayer services will sometimes be accompanied by an instrument, creating a lively musical environment. The aim of the Reform Minyan is to be an accepting community that is open to all.

Conservative Community

The Conservative Minyan at Boston University Hillel is a traditional egalitarian prayer group. We have Friday night services every Shabbat as well as services for all of the Jewish holidays. We also meet periodically at different moments in the year. These services are conducted in mostly Hebrew with some English using Siddur Sim Shalom (Hebrew, English) and Siddur Hadash’s (Hebrew, English, Transliteration) books according to the participant’s preference.  

We hope to create an inclusive and engaging community environment in which everyone is welcome to share and strengthen their religious experiences. Try leading a service, bring in a new tune, come to fun events, and share your smiles!  

Orthodox Community

The Orthodox community at Boston University is a very diverse community and has members from both Sephardic and Ashkenazic backgrounds. The student-led group runs weekly Shabbat services as well as Shabbat meals and Jewish learning opportunities. We also have a daily mincha and meet periodically for weekday davening and Rosh Chodesh.

Holidays

BU Hillel also offers a full array of Holiday services, meals, and programming. Come back and visit our website in the weeks before each holiday for an up-to-date
schedule of fun and meaningful celebrations.

Staff Contacts

Rav Micha Stettin, L.Ac L.OM, is thrilled to join Boston University as the Rabbi, Senior Jewish Educator, and University Chaplain. After a decade in Israel, living first in Jerusalem and then in Jaffa, Rabbi Micha brings a wealth of experience as a community Rabbi and health practitioner. He spent his time in Israel building a home with his wife, practicing martial arts, and providing community leadership and healthcare. Rabbi Micha received his Rabbinical Ordination from Simchat Shlomo in Jerusalem and earned his licensure in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Tel Aviv University’s campus for complementary medicine. Email Micha at mstettin@bu.edu.