Hillel at Brandeis offers students the opportunity to form Hillel-affiliated member groups. (Scroll down to see Minyanim/ Davening)
Ba’note is Hillel’s all-female a capella group and is “kol-isha friendly,” meaning that its performances adhere to religious beliefs about women’s singing in public. They sing both English and Hebrew, Jewish and non-Jewish songs, utilizing trios rather than solos.
BaRuCH: Brandeis Reform Chavurah serves the Reform Jewish community on campus, holding a variety of educational, social action, religious, and social programs.
BOO: Brandeis Orthodox Organization serves the needs of Orthodox students on campus, and welcomes any students wishing to learn more about Orthodox Judaism.
BRO: Brandeis Reconstructionist Organization serves students interested in Reconstructionist Judaism and organizes social, educational and religious events.
BSI: Brandeis Sephardic Initiative increases awareness and appreciation of Sephardic Jewry and culture, through communal activities, ethnic experiences, education and spiced food.
BUCO: Brandeis University Conservative Organization serves the Conservative Jewish community, providing educational, social action, and social events on a regular basis.
B’yachad, Brandeis’ Israeli dance troupe, holds open dancing sessions each semester and performs regularly both on- and off-campus at cultural events, parties, and Israeli Folk Dancing Festivals.
FYC: Hillel First Year Council empowers new students to play an active role in building a welcoming Jewish community on campus through programming by and for First Years.
HRC: Holocaust Remembrance Committee commemorates and educates about the Holocaust, specifically planning large-scale remembrance programs around the Kristallnacht anniversary and Yom HaShoah.
Hillel Theater Group (HTG) one of the largest and most active theater groups on campus, is the only theater group that does not rehearse or perform on Shabbat or Jewish holidays. HTG produces a play in the fall and a musical in the spring. All who audition for the spring musical are guaranteed a role.
Jewish Fella Acapella (JFA) is Hillel’s all-male Jewish a cappella group. They sing a variety of songs in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish that generally have some Jewish aspect, be it religious, cultural or otherwise.
Klal Hillel Pluralism Initiative is a dialogue group that brings together and strengthens ties among Jewish students from all backgrounds, observances, and denominations.
Mitzvah Corps is the umbrella organization for all things tzedek, but not specifically planned by Hillel’s Tzedek Coordinators. Mitzvah Corps is famous for its monthly Cheryl Ann’s challah sales, the proceeds of which go to charity. In addition, members of Mitzvah Corps are responsible for various seasonal clothing and food drives and other mitzvah projects. Mitzvah Corps also oversees two sub-groups: Generations and Sunday’s Bread.
– Generations works toward bridging the gap between senior citizens and college students. The two groups meet for social events at Brandeis and the seniors’ home in Newton.
– Sunday’s Bread provides opportunities for students to work in a soup kitchen. Volunteers assist in all aspects of preparing and serving meals to the homeless, and participate in a truly rewarding and purposeful way with members of the Boston community.
Shalemis Brandeis University’s Jewish LGBTQ group. They hold frequent discussions and plan programs about LGBTQ issues in relation to Judaism.
Minyanim
- Orthodox: BOO’s gabbaite coordinates a daily Orthodox minyan: three times a day, every day, plus Shabbat and holidays. Find minyan times and locations at booweb.org.
- Traditional Egalitarian: The Traditional Egalitarian Minyan, an affiliate of BUCO, holds Shacharit services on Monday and Thursday mornings, as well as weekly Shabbat services and holiday services.
- BaRuCH/Reform: BaRuCH coordinates holiday services, weekly Kabbalat Shabbat and havdallah services, and Saturday morning services about once a month.
- BRO/Reconstructionist: BRO coordinates monthly Friday night services and Saturday morning services about once a semester.
- Ruach: The Ruach minyan features Carlebach-style mechitza davening, and holds one Friday night service each month.
- Shira Chadasha: The Shira Chadasha minyan features mechitza davening, with Kabbalat Shabbat led by a woman. The minyan holds one Friday night service each month.
- Sephardi: The Brandeis Sephardic Initiative coordinates a Sephardic service about once a month.
Outside of Hillel
Deisket: The Brandeis Klezmer Ensemble. Deisket performs Jewish and Israeli music in classic and contemporary styles, and performs on-campus at Hillel events and coffeehouses and off-campus in the Boston area.
