Students & Student Life

Jewish Women of Ohio (JWO)

Jewish Women of Ohio was founded in 2002 as a way to gather together young Jewish women to explore Jewish identity, create social and tzedek opportunities, and to build lasting friendships. All are welcome, feel free to join us!

For more information about JWO, please contact Morgan Forsythe morganswims13@yahoo.com, or Bri Adamson ba325909@ohio.edu, Presidents for the 2012-13 school year, or visit their facebook page.

Hillel’s Peer Network Engagement Interns

Hillel at Ohio University Peer Network Interns are chosen from a competitive applicant pool to foster relationships with other students on campus, initiate dialogue around meaningful Jewish experiences, advocate for Jewish life on campus, and when appropriate, organize and implement important programs that contribute to diversity and Jewish culture in Athens. Our Peer Network Interns learn valuable professional and personal skills in all areas of Jewish leadership and program facilitation, they serve on leadership committees across campus, attend conferences around the country, and participate in Israel trips through Taglit birthright Israel or the Jewish National Fund. Each year, Hillel employs five student interns who are hired in the spring for the following school year. If you are interested in applying for a paid internship with Hillel at OU, please contact Rabbi Danielle Leshaw at leshaw@ohio.edu. Hillel's Peer Network Engagement Interns for the 2012-13 school year are Morgan Blumenfeld mb262209@ohio.edu, Cydney Goldberg, Phil Ganson, Kara Leyser, and Sammi Broad. They LOVE to say hello to Jewish Bobcats and get coffee, lunch, or otherwise hang out and meet new and returning students.

Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi)

Alpha Epsilon Pi is the only international Jewish fraternity at Ohio University and is the home of the Omicron Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi. The AEPi house is located at 28 N. College Street.

For more information about Alpha Epsilon Pi’s brotherhood, rush events, Greek life and contacts please contact AEPi President, Evan Gale eg552210@ohio.edu.

The Friday Night Miracles

Music is a huge component of Hillel's Friday night Shabbat services. Our student musicians, The Friday Night Miracles, are an inspired group of students who join voices and instruments to lead both traditional and contemporary liturgy during prayer services and at university wide events including MLK Day concerts, Front Room appearances, University Interfaith Association events, and more. The instrument range is wide -- from vocals to guitar to cello to violin to percussion -- and involved students welcome both new and seasoned musicians to join the group. No experience is necessary with liturgy, just a willingness to learn and be inspired!! For more information, please contact Kevin Teplitzky kt996108@ohio.edu.

Work Study Students

Hillel is fortunate to receive FAFSA work study students each year. Our work study students help create programs, assist with PR and Marketing, manage our data bases, and in general, keep things running smoothly at Hillel. We love our work study students dearly and allow them to make their own work schedules – nights, mornings, weekends, holidays. Interested? Be in touch with Lauren Goldberg, Hillel’s Engagement Professional, for more information and to get your paperwork started hillel@ohio.edu!

We're proud to have Louie Rosen, lr292309@ohio.edu, and Danielle King dk344409@ohio.edu as our work study students. Be in touch with them if you have any questions about working at Hillel.

Bobcats for Israel

Bobcats for Israel was created during the 2008-09 school year by Rachel Zeleniec, OU '10, as a way to gather students to advocate for Israel, create educational opportunities for the campus community to learn more about Israel's role in the Middle East, and to celebrate the diversity of culture that exists in Israel. Bobcats for Israel focuses on large scale programs that bring pro-Israel speakers and Israeli entertainers to Ohio University. To get involved, contact Alex Lilly, Bobcats for Israel President, at al343209@ohio.edu .

Got Swabbed? Bone Marrow Interns

Due to the generous support of The Epstein Teicher Philanthropies, Hillel at Ohio University has created two paid internships to increase our Got Swabbed? Bone Marrow Drive efforts. Students selected for these internships are responsible for engaging three reliable volunteers to join the Bone Marrow Steering Committee, to attend regular planning meetings, to secure funding, to implement swabbing teams that visit large-scale programs across campus, and to assist in the One Day event in Baker Center. If you'd like to be considered as a Bone Marrow Intern for the 2013-14 school year, please be in touch with Rabbi Danielle.

Hillel's Swabbing Interns for the 2012-13 school year are Henry Kessler hk292910@ohio.edu and Rachel Rzepka rr224710@ohio.edu.

Cleveland Student Intern

Kara Leyser, a native Clevelander and first year student with a strong BBYO background, joins our student intern team thanks to a generous grant from The Cleveland Jewish Federation. Kara will be charged with the task of energizing our Cleveland Jewish students around tikkun olam opportunities, Israel advocacy, and social programming. We look forward to this new and exciting partnership as part of Strengthening and Growing Jewish Cleveland. Kara can be reached at kl256308@ohio.edu.

Contact Us

Common Questions

Q: How many Jewish students are there on campus? What is Jewish life like here at Ohio University?

A: There are approximately 600 Jewish students at Ohio University. Jewish students are an active, dynamic part of both Hillel and the campus community. Many opportunities exist for a students to get involved in Jewish life - from cultural arts to Israel advocacy to social justice to religious life. Most of our students come from Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, with smaller percentages from Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Maryland. We're also seeing an influx from Westchester County in New York.

Q: How connected is Hillel to the University community?

A. Hillel has incredibly positive relationships with The Division of Student Affairs, Residence Life, University Advancement, and The Office of the President. Hillel is deeply integrated into the Ohio University community through its dynamic programs, support for its students, and the involvement of active student leaders in many other campus groups. Ohio University is very supportive of Hillel and its role on campus and works hard to provide a welcoming atmosphere for Jewish students, faculty, and families.

Q: What kind of student programs and organizations does Hillel at OU sponsor on campus?

A: Hillel at OU is home to several independent student organizations reflecting the gamut of Jewish life at OU. Students are encouraged to pursue their ideas and take the initiative, as well as get involved with existing projects and groups. Visit the Student Life link for more information about each group (Jewish Women of Ohio, Bobcats for Israel, Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, The Friday Night Miracles, Peer Network Internships, Work Study Opportunities, and more).

Q: What kind of Shabbat celebration is available at Hillel at OU?

A: Every Friday night during the academic year, Hillel at OU hosts services, either at the Hillel building or on campus. Many students become involved in service leading, and Rabbi Danielle welcomes and encourages student participation in many areas – leading prayers, offering a D’var Torah (sermon) or contributing musically. Hillel often hosts Shabbat services in Baker Center, encouraging students from all areas of campus life to experience Shabbat on campus. Several times a quarter, we offer a delicious and kosher Shabbat dinner to follow services. As always, Shabbat dinner is free for students, thanks to the generous support of alumni, parents, and friends.

Q: Is there a Kosher Meal Plan on Campus?

A: No, but Dining Services and Hillel recently strategized to ensure that there were plenty of "kosher style" meals available in the dining halls. What does this mean? Signage is now placed throughout the dining halls, with a blue Jewish star on the menu to indicate if the prepared foods are pork and shellfish free, and if meat and milk haven't been combined during the preparation and serving of foods. Further, chefs in Dining Services got their challah on! Every Friday evening, fresh baked loaves of challah are available in all the dining halls across campus. We consider this a terrific partnership and a wonderful commitment from our campus friends.

Q: I don’t see many Jewish Studies courses or Hebrew offered in the Ohio University curriculum. What’s the story?

A: In 2007, several staff and faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences, along with Rabbi Leshaw, initiated a Jewish Studies Committee to enhance Jewish Studies offerings at Ohio University. Through a generous two-year Schusterman Postdoctoral Fellowship from The National Foundation for Jewish Culture, we’ve implemented a Jewish Studies Certificate Program that enables us to meet the academic needs of the university population regarding Jewish culture, history, literature, and more. Currently, the History Department offers an American Jewish History class, a class on Nazi Germany, several Jewish History classes, and a class on Jewish Humor. The English Department offers an Israeli Literature class, an American Jewish Literature class, and occasionally, a Holocaust Literature class. Hebrew classes are not going to be offered in the near future – but we’re working on it! How can you help? Send an email to Provost Benoit and let her know that you’re interested in Jewish Studies at Ohio University!