Shabbat Meals and Prayer

The Jewish way encourages us to carve out time for rest, reflection, and celebration, unplugging ourselves from the never-ending drumbeat of life.

Shabbat Dinners and Services

We are excited to celebrate Shabbat with you. All BU students are welcome to join whenever it feels right for you and fits your schedule. Shabbat is going to be back in person this semester and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to our beautiful Hillel building for inspiring services, delicious community meals, and fun activities. Come join together with great food, new friends, and time to reflect and welcome in Shabbat. 

Our BU Loves Shabbat initiative offers BU students two great ways to enjoy a fun, delicious, and meaningful Shabbat dinner. You can signup to attend the communal Shabbat dinner in our beautiful 3rd floor dining hall – available every Friday night at 7:00 pm (Shabbat services start at 6:00 pm and are optional). 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.  So many great ways to celebrate Shabbat with friends and community.

BU Loves Shabbat: Meal Sign Up

Ready to be back in person at Hillel for Shabbat with incredible energy and delicious food? Shabbat Dinner starts at 7:00 pm each Friday. Shabbat Lunch is at 12:30 pm each Saturday. Sign up below by Thursday at 9am to reserve your spot.

Thank you for joining us for Shabbat – we’re so glad to host you! Shabbat dinner tonight is made possible because those of you on BU meal plans generously donate a swipe or points to cover the cost of your meal. If you are unable to donate, please contact Rabbi Brandon.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

BU Loves Shabbat: Meal Host Sign Up

Looking for a low-key, Shabbat meal with friends? Do you love making your own menu and hosting?  There really is no one right way to bring in Shabbat, so why not make it your own!! Sign up below to host a group of friends and Hillel will reimburse you up to $10/BU Student (receipts required). You decide the menu, location, and time for your Shabbat meal.

Please fill out the below registration at least two weeks in advance of your planned Shabbat meal. Each BU student can host up to 1 Shabbat meal per month. Upon approval, BU Hillel can provide you with a Shabbox, which will include Shabbat candles, a guide to Shabbat rituals/blessings and Torah bites conversation starters. 

Religious Communities and Spirituality

Our tefillah (prayer) services are open to everyone! Given Boston University and State regulations around COVID-19, our service options may be different than usual. Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform services are often held on Friday nights. Shabbat morning services begin at 10:00 am on varying weeks. All services are filled with energy and singing and held on the fourth floor of Hillel. 

Reform Community

The Reform Community at BU is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. We hold services for Shabbat and holidays, along with social justice events, and times to just hang out and get to know each other!

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. We also host several social action, educational, and social events that are open to the entire BU community.  The aim of the Reform Minyan is to be an accepting community that is open to all.

For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page, or contact Jewish Life Fellow, Rabbi Brandon (bbernste@bu.edu).

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 on Shabbat morning. 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!  

We offer students opportunities to learn how to lead a service, to bring in and teach a new tune, to read Torah and/or Haftorah, and to give a D’var Torah.  

For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page.

Nafsheinu (Orthodox Community)

Nafsheinu 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 holiday services, Shabbat meals, and Jewish learning opportunities. We also meet periodically for weekday davening and Rosh Chodesh.

In addition to religious opportunities, Nafsheinu offers a wide range of social events, such as breakfast and ice skating, apple picking, and March Madness tournaments.

For more information on how to build community with other students in the BU Orthodox community contact us at bu.nafsheinu@gmail.com, or reach out to President Akiva Zeff (auzeff@bu.edu). We look forward to getting to know you!

Nafsheinu Student Leadership

President: Akiva Zeff (auzeff@bu.edu)

Director of Religious Life: Shmuel Bogomolni

Director of Programming: Zev Fine

Director of Outreach: Eytan Mobilio

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.

Questions?

For any Shabbat-related questions, email Rabbi Brandon (bbernste@bu.edu).