Shabbat + Holidays
Shabbat + Holidays are something everyone should experience.
Shabbat
- All Campuses
- Campus schedules below
There is a palpable spark of energy. It’s a magic you can’t really describe but you can 100% feel. Shabbat experiences include a pre-meal pluralistic ritual observance. In addition to student led prayer services, we also offer student-led Torah portion discussions. While our services don’t look or feel like traditional services, they provide students with meaningful and personal connection to Jewish practice and ritual. Shabbat usually begins at 6pm. Please check the individual calendars on the campus sites for exact times each week.
Download Shabbat Schedule:
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
- Campus schedules below
Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur marks the Day of Atonement. These holidays are a time for reflection, renewal, and community. Hillel of San Diego welcomes students to join us for festive holiday dinners at both UCSD and SDSU, where we’ll share delicious food, meaningful traditions, and the joy of beginning a sweet new year together.
We strongly encourage students to build relationships at local San Diego synagogues as we see Hillel of San Diego as a pipeline for students to continue engaging in Jewish life post college. We have a number of partnerships with local synagogues to provide traditional High Holiday services for free to Hillel of San Diego students. Hillel of San Diego will fund students’ transportation to and from services and help facilitate introductions for students with clergy.
Download Schedules
Sukkot
- All Campuses
Each of our four campuses builds a sukkah- a welcoming space to eat, relax, celebrate, and connect. Join us for festive meals, holiday traditions, and meaningful moments with friends and community.
During the week of Sukkot, come experience various events within the sukkah such as sushi in the sukkah, crafts in the sukkah, and more!
Come by the sukkah, shake the lulav and etrog, and experience the joy of Sukkot with Hillel of San Diego!
Hanukkah
When Hanukkah falls during the school year, Hillel of San Diego offers menorah lightings, festive meals, and community gatherings. Hanukkah at Hillel is full of light and joy. Join us for sufganiyot (donuts), latkes, games, and meaningful moments that bring Jewish tradition to life.
Purim
Purim at Hillel of San Diego is a time of joy, laughter, and community. Across our campuses, students come together for megillah readings, mishloach manot (gift bags), and of course, plenty of hamantaschen!
One of the highlights of the season is Hillel’s Purim Carnival- a student-favorite filled with games, music, food, and costumes. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Purim traditions while having fun with friends and building community.
Passover
Passover at Hillel of San Diego is a time to gather, reflect, and celebrate freedom together. We host student Seders at both UCSD and SDSU, bringing students together for meaningful rituals, delicious holiday meals, and community connection.
At USD, we also host a unique Interfaith Seder, where students of all backgrounds come together to share in the story of liberation, explore common values, and build bridges of understanding across faith traditions.
Yom HaShoah
Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a time to honor the memory of the six million Jews lost in the Holocaust and to ensure their stories live on. At Hillel of San Diego, we bring students and Holocaust survivors together for a powerful Challah Bake with Survivors, where baking and sharing stories create meaningful intergenerational connections.
In addition, we provide Holocaust education programs across our campuses, giving students the opportunity to learn, reflect, and carry forward the lessons of history. Through remembrance, community, and learning, we reaffirm our commitment to “Never Again.”
Yom Ha’Atzmaut
Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, is a time for joy, community, and celebration. Hillel of San Diego hosts a big party at SDSU, filled with Israeli food, music, dancing, and cultural experiences that bring the spirit of Israel to campus.
Students from all of our campuses are invited to join the festivities, and Hillel ensures transportation is provided so the whole San Diego Jewish student community can celebrate together.
Come wave the flag, eat delicious Israeli food, and dance the night away with Hillel as we celebrate Israel’s birthday in style!
