Jewish Student Life 

Welcome!

New students (and returning students who want to connect!): Fill out the ORSL Interest Form to connect, ask questions, or sign up for updates about Jewish student life, interfaith projects, clubs, holidays, and more IF the link is broken you can use www.bit.ly/SkidORSL . Note that over the summer and during school breaks our staff is on a limited schedule, so responses may be delayed. Contact the Coordinator of Jewish Student Life, Martina Zobel mzobel@dos5.net or email orsl@dos5.net.

What to Expect: 

Students at Skidmore connect to their Jewish roots and practices in many different ways. Some become active in our clubs, including Hillel and Challahmore. Others just stop by now and then for a Shabbat gathering or social event. Some are particularly passionate about social justice and tikkun olam projects or helping to plan events that raise awareness about Judaism and Jewish Culture. During the academic year Shabbat services take place at 5:15 on Friday evenings, usually at Wilson Chapel (be sure you're signed up with us to get updates about locations and sign-ups for events!). Shabbat dinners are at 6:30pm, usually on the second floor of the Dining Hall. Havdalah gatherings take place at least once each month. Can't join us in person but want some challah and juice, or even some (residence hall- approved electric) candles for your own welcoming of Shabbat? Grab a Shabbat bag! Bags will be available most Friday afternoons at the tables in Case Center or contact us to request one. 

The Jewish community at Skidmore comes from an eclectic range of backgrounds. We comprise a rich diversity of denominations, genders, nationalities, and races. This diversity uniquely impacts how we engage with our Judaism.

We acknowledge the variety of ways that each of us connects to Israel and all it means for Jewish identity. Members of our Jewish community - students, staff, and faculty - have different and dynamic perspectives on Israel. Our program will continue to host and promote informed, open, and respectful conversations about Israel with our students. We will model and advocate for inclusion of the complex Jewish perspectives about Israel as essential to Jewish past, present, and future. 

Questions? Want to know more? Connect with us online or in person and see the "More Information" section below. 

Save the Date! 2024-2025 Events and Reminders: 

More events and information to come! Look for posters on campus and watch for email updates if you have signed up for one of our mailing lists: 

• August/September: Request accommodations (excused absences, etc) from your professors, supervisors and coaches:  If you will be out of class or your student job on Yom Kippur or for any other religious observance you should start that process as soon as you know your schedule. Not sure how to do this or what to ask for? See our Holidays and Observances Section.
• First week of September: Jewish Student Life, Hillel, and Challahmore tabling: Come say hello, sign up for updates, and pick up a treat or some swag. There will be tables at New Student Orientation and Club Fair. There are usually welcome-back brunches and other events throughout the first weeks of each semester. 
• Throughout the Semester: Shabbat Services and Dinners, Havdalah, Challah bakes, Brunch programs, and more! Most Fridays include: Shabbat bags and tabling in Case Center in the afternoon, services at 5:15 in Wilson, and dinner with candle lighting and blessings at 6:30 upstairs in the Dining Hall. Follow JSL and check email updates for occasional location and schedule changes. 
• October 2-4: Rosh Hashanah:  Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner, on campus services and access to off-campus services, and Tashlich 
• October 7: Memorial Observance, organized by Jewish Student Life program
• October 11-12: Yom Kippur: On campus services, access to off-campus services,  Breaking of the Fast, and opportunities to step away from the bustle of campus 
• October 13-15: : Help build and decorate our Sukkah on Case Green! 
• October 16-23: Sukkot: Music, meals, services and more in the Sukkah throughout the festival
• Fall Retreat and immersion trips: Dates TBA. The retreat is an off-campus shabbaton, a chance to connect with other Jewish students and take a break from campus. 
• November: Jewish culture and music event. Details TBA. Look for announcements from the Perlow series!
• December: Mid-year send-off. Are you studying abroad in the Spring or graduating mid-year? Let us know! We wan to celebrate you and send you off with the blessings of our community. 
• Hanukkah: Evening of December 25 - evening of January 2: Hanukkah and Winter Break overlap this year. We will probably have some on-campus programming before everyone goes home and possibly some online meetups over break for celebration and planning the Spring semester. When the holiday is during the semester we host events with candle lighting, food, study breaks, and more

SPRING 2025 - More events will be announced as the year goes on!

• January/February: Request accommodations (excused absences, etc) from your professors, supervisors and coaches:  If you will be out of class or your student job on any of the nights of Passover or for any other religious observance you should start that process as soon as you know your schedule. Not sure how to do this or what to ask for? See our Holidays and Observances Section.
• First week of Spring semester: Welcome back events, Spring Club Fair
• TuB'Svhat: February 12-13: Celebrate the New Year of the Trees with us!
• Passover: April 22-30: Prepartory events, Seders, and more! 

On campus when our offices are closed or there aren't a lot of other students arrounde? Arriving early for OP Academic Institute, athletics, leadership training, pre-Orientation, etc? Let us know if you would like to celebrate Shabbat or otherwise connect with Jewish Student Life and other students and we will help you out. 

 

More about Jewish Student Life at Skidmore College: 

Jewish Student Life at Skidmore is rich and varied. Below are examples of just some of the ways of getting involved. Questions? Ideas for new programs or gatherings? Want to get involved? Come to an event, reach out to one of our clubs, or contact Martina Zobel, Coordinator for Jewish Student Life. 

• Clubs: Skidmore College supports student-led clubs with a wide range of interests. Students who do not find the club they are looking for are encouraged to talk to our staff about creating new programming or starting new groups. Current clubs related to Jewish Student Life include Skidmore Hillel and Challamore. See SkidSync for more information (Skidmore login required for full access) or contact our office  and check out the Instagram pages for a look at what they've been up to: Skidmore Hillel and  Challahmore .
• Tikkun Olam: Events, awareness campaigns, and fundraising efforts to address needs locally and globally. Topics include food insecurity, homelessness, health access, and more. 
• Shabbat: Weekly student-led Shabbat services on campus, Shabbat dinners with candle lighting and blessings, opportunities to attend off-campus services, and Havdalah gatherings to close out Shabbat and turn to the new week. 
• High Holy Days: pre-Rosh Hashanah programming including shofar blowing during Elul, on-campus services in partnership with Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, celebratory meals, support for students fasting on Yom Kippur, and more!
• Sukkot: Building and decorating a Sukkah on Case Green in the center of campus, fun and enriching events throughout the holiday including meals, discussions, and music in the Sukkah 
• Retreats and Shabbatons: Multi-day immersive experiences to build connections with peers and explore Jewish identity, culture, and practice, and to just have fun and take a break from the hard work of the semester. 
• Jewish history, culture, and  practice: There are many ways for students to engage with a wide range of topics related to Jewish life and culture. Opportunities include weekly events like "Tea, Text, Torah" discussions, invited speakers, concerts, Israel programming, workshops with Jewish artists, cooking demonstrations, and more. 
• Hanukkah, Tu Bishvat, Purim, Lag B'Omer, and more! - In addition to the "bigger" holidays we often have events and programming (and food!) to mark Jewish observances throughout the year. 
• Passover: Seder gatherings, chametz-free options in the Dining Hall and at events, movie nights, and more
• Interfaith and cross-cultural engagement: Opportunities include partnerships with other religious and cultural clubs to host gatherings, collaborate on service projects, and raise awareness about religious and cultural diversity at Skidmore and beyond. Educational topics have  included introductions to different traditions,  responding to antisemitism, interfaith responses to climage change, and more! 
• Leadership opportunities: Whether it's leading services or planning Tikkun Olam projects or finding internships with Jewish organizations there are many ways students can get involved as emerging leaders.