About Hillel at UCLA

Find out more at ucla.hillel.org!

Housing at UCLA

Most of the Orthodox students live at home, within a ten mile radius of campus. The majority of Orthodox students living on campus live in the Bayit, a Jewish co-op a few blocks from campus. A handful of students live in the residence halls and another handful live in private apartments
around Westwood Village.



Quote from Ebi R

The Orthodox Community at UCLA

The Orthodox community at UCLA is increasingly student led. Official posts currently include two community co-chairs, a Gabbai, a Beit Midrash librarian, a women’s chair and a student intern. A number of Orthodox students hold positions on Hillel’s student board and represent the needs and interests of the JLIC community to Hillel.

Quote from Melody Bandary

Shabbat at UCLA

Shabbat on campus is a highlight of the Orthodox life on campus. Rather than a weekly exodus every Friday, there is an influx of energy and excitement as commuter students are hosted by their ‘on-campus' friends to join an experience uniquely suited for college-aged members of the Orthodox community.

Following services on Friday night, the Orthodox community partakes in a Kiddush, with Zemiros and socializing before dinner. Students then join the rest of the Hillel community for a free dinner and educational or social program, followed by dessert, ping-pong and shmoozing in the Coffee Bean lounge on the first floor of Hillel. From the Hillel, the Orthodox students head to the Bayit or a student’s apartment for an Oneg. Shabbat morning begins with services at Hillel and is followed by another free, catered meal. Students then remain in the Hillel building all day playing board games, ping-pong, pool, etc. On Shabbat afternoon, the JLIC rabbi offers a Shiur, and the Beit Midrash is open with Chevruta learning all day.

After Shabbat, many students meet in the center of campus to begin the new week with a weekly mens’ football game.

There is an Eruv that encompasses the entire campus as well as the residence halls and off campus housing.



Kosher dining at UCLA

A Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is located on the first floor of Hillel, where students can purchase cold and hot drinks, snacks and bagels throughout the week. There is a kosher meat restaurant that operates out of Hillel Monday through Thursday during lunch that offers a diverse array of fresh food that can be purchased with cash or a student ID. There are kosher, prepackaged dinners sold in the residence halls as part of the university meal plan. An extra fee is required to participate in the kosher meal plan. All meals are certified by the Heart K, the Kehilla of Los Angeles.

Orthodox Life at UCLA

With about a hundred Orthodox student, UCLA is a commuter campus that shines with great programs and shiurim.