Jewish
Jewish Life
Jewish Life at Elon is a welcoming, dynamic, and student-centered community open to all Jewish students from all backgrounds. Elon’s vibrant and welcoming Jewish community makes up at least 15% of the student population—and continues to grow each year.
Jewish Life at Elon is a pluralistic community that celebrates diverse identities and encourages everyone to learn, connect, and grow together. Elon Hillel is open to all students. Whether you are looking for fridge full of food, a place to hang out or study, a way to meet other students, or somewhere to celebrate a Jewish holiday, you are always welcome. Our Hillel is a judgment-free zone, and there are no dues or requirements.
Jewish Life at Elon is rooted in personal connection—offering students the freedom to explore what being Jewish means to them through culture, tradition, learning, and community.
Mission
At Elon Jewish Life it doesn’t matter how you are Jewish, or how Jewish you are. We are a welcoming inclusive community that provides empowering joyful Jewish experiences, embracing the diversity of Jewish traditions and identities. Elon Jewish Life advocates for the Jewish community on campus and prepares students for life beyond college. Find your on-campus home with us!
Welcoming Inclusive Community
Jewish Life is open to all students. Whether you are looking for a fridge full of food, a place to hang out or study, a way to meet other students, leadership opportunities, or somewhere to celebrate a Jewish holiday, you are always welcome. Jewish Life is a judgment-free zone, and there are no dues or requirements. Jewish Life at Elon keeps growing and is the umbrella that currently includes Elon Hillel, Chabad at Elon, AEPi, and AEPhi.
Chabad is an off-campus community organization which offers fun and meaningful activities, Shabbat and holiday observances, and learning.
Our Community Chaplain
Elon’s full-time Jewish Chaplain, Rabbi Doctor Maor Greene, provides spiritual support for the Jewish community, organizes religious observances on campus, mentors students, advises the Hillel Religious Education Committee, offers pastoral care, and oversees the Shabband, our Shabbat student band.
Jewish Holidays At Elon
Elon University is committed to supporting students’ spiritual development and recognizes the growing diversity of our campus community. The Religious Observation Notification Policy allows students to request
excused absences from class in observance of religious holidays. To do so, students must complete the Religious Observance Notification Form (RONF) by the deadline each semester and work directly with their professors to make arrangements for any missed work. If you have questions about the process, the Jewish Life team is here to help!
Our campus community marks the Jewish holidays, including Shabbat and Havdalah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Yom HaShoah as well as Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom HaZikaron.
Dietary Accomodations at Elon
The Sklut Hillel Center boasts a dairy (meat-free) kitchen, where students can enjoy delicious snacks and meals from our fully stocked pantry and fridge —always free of charge. This is made possible by our “Fill the Fridge” campaign, generously supported by parents and donors. While not every item has a heksher, we maintain a NO-non-kosher food policy in our kitchen. Chabad also offers a fully-kosher kitchen with Shabbat and holiday meals and regular offerings throughout the year.
During Passover, Jewish Life partners with Elon Dining to provide matza and kosher-for-Passover-style options in the main dining halls. In addition, home-cooked, kosher-for-Passover meals are available at both the Sklut Hillel Center and Chabad, prepared in carefully kashered kitchens.
Student Leadership
There are so many opportunities for Jewish students to lead, learn, engage, grow, and have fu!
Elon Hillel
Elon Hillel is the heart of Jewish student life on campus, led by a dynamic student board that plans social, cultural, and religious events year-round. All students are welcome to join, get involved, and take on leadership roles to help shape Jewish life at Elon.
Jewish Life Engagement Interns
Engagement Interns are sophomore student leaders who build community. They welcome every incoming Jewish student to campus, invite them to events and 1:1 coffees, introduce them to other first-years, and answer questions about life at Elon.
FYSH- First Year Students of Hillel
FYSH is a program allowing second-semester first-year students to get connected to Hillel from the start. FYSH involves organizing fun events, small group hangouts, and leadership opportunities.