Frequently Asked Questions about Jewish Life at Elon

What is the Jewish community like at Elon? How large is the Jewish population?

Approximately 400+ Jewish students attend Elon University. The Jewish community is vibrant and growing, with approximately 120 Jewish students entering Elon as first-year students in August 2012.  Elon Jewish students come from a wide range of backgrounds;  some come from families with one Jewish parent, some come from families with two Jewish parents; some come from homes that have made Judaism a vital part of family life and some come from families that don't practice Judaism at all. And all are welcome at Elon Hillel! There are also Jewish faculty and staff who are actively involved in Elon Hillel.

What kinds of activities does Hillel sponsor?

Elon Hillel offers social, cultural, educational, religious and community service events. The Hillel Board of 18 students offers at least one program each week in addition to a Kabbalat Shabbat program each Friday. The most popular activities are monthly bagel brunches, Hanukkah Party, Lunch 'n Learn programs, cooking projects, Shabbat dinners, Passover seder and Passover meals, building the sukkah, Purim, Israel events, and Yom HaShoah programs. We are planning to start at Challah for Hunger chapter on campus in 2013.  All events are planned by students.

Is there Kosher food on campus?

The new Sklut Hillel Center has a dairy kitchen and an outdoor grill for preparing meat.  Students are welcome to cook and eat at the Hillel Center.  The Hillel Center does not serve regular meals and there is no food cooked under kosher supervision in the campus dining halls.  There are many vegetarians and vegans at Elon University, and Elon Dining Services provides excellent options for them.  During Passover, the main dining halls serve matzoh and one non-chametz main dish at every meal.  Elon Hillel provides free Kosher-for-Passover lunches and dinners on a drop-in basis. 

What’s it like to celebrate Jewish holidays on campus?

Hillel gathers for all major Jewish holidays. High Holy Day services are held on campus each year.    We know it's hard to be away from home during the holidays, so we try to create that family feeling here on campus with our own traditions for Break the Fast, Sukkot, Tu B'Shvat, Hanukkah, Purim, Yom Hashoah and more. 

Is there a Hillel House at Elon?

Yes!  The Sklut Hillel Center opened its doors in January 2013!  The Center includes a large open kitchen, meeting rooms, student work rooms, a comfortable lounge, and beautiful outdoor seating.  The Center will be formally dedicated on March 3, 2013.

Is there a Jewish Studies program at Elon?

A wide range of Jewish Studies courses are available at Elon, including courses in modern Hebrew and in departments including Religious Studies, Foreign Languages, Philosophy, History and Geography, Sociology and Anthropology, and English.  Students may minor in Jewish Studies and may apply to pursue an independent major.  For further details, check out the Jewish Studies website.