Jewish Life

The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life supports a vibrant community of approximately five hundred Jewish students at SMU, offering regular gatherings for Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and programs for learning, dialogue, and socializing. Led by Rabbi Heidi Coretz and Hillel at SMU’s Student Board, we are growing a thriving Jewish Life on the Hilltop.

Get connected and involved with Jewish life on the SMU campus. Visit the Hillel at SMU page on SMU360 by clicking the button below to learn more information.

Join Hillel at SMU

 

students at tables outdoors on grass surrounded by white drapes covered with string lights

Shabbat and Holidays

Shabbat

Jewish students gather for regular Shabbat dinners, on and off campus, as we welcome Shabbat with candles, grape juice, challah, dinner and conversation. All are welcome! Upcoming dates can be found under events on the Hillel at SMU page on SMU360.  

Holidays

Our Jewish students attend High Holy Day services, Simchat Torah, and Purim at local congregations. In the Fall, we build a Sukkah on campus and celebrate Sukkot with daily gatherings.  We celebrate Hannukah, Purim and Passover with special holiday foods in the dining halls including Passover friendly foods throughout Pesach. For Seder, students share the holiday observances with local families. Finally, we have a yearly Yom Hashoah Interfaith Holocaust Memorial Service each spring.

 

students standing behind a menorah with seven white candles all lit outdoors at night

Leadership

Rabbi Heidi Coretz and the Hillel at SMU Board work together to provide fun and meaningful activities for the campus Jewish Community.

Student Advisory Board 2024-2025

Co-President William Kavy
Co-President Keilah Eletu
Vice President, Israel Programs
 Harrison Stein
Vice President, Programs and Events Jake Larcara
AEPi Liason Matthew Wynn
Senior Advisor Dean Sandler
Grad Representative Rose Hurwitz
Sorority Outreach Maya Coneh
First Year Outreach Jonathan Kalach Chelminsky 
First Year Outreach
 Max Fetter

Local Congregations

*All congregations listed below are LGBT friendly congregations.