Jewish Life at The University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign

Hillel is currently housed in its new, state of the art home, the Margie K. and Louis N. Cohen "Center for Jewish Life" at 503 E. John St. in Champaign. Phone: 217-344-1328. Website: http://www.illinihillel.org
Chabad - 509 S Fourth St. in Champaign. Phone: 217-355-8672. Website: http://www.jewishuiuc.org.
University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign Program in Jewish Culture and Society. Phone: 217-333-7978. Website: http://www.jewishculture.uiuc.edu.

Message from the Orthodox Community President

JLIC has improved the Jewish community at the University of Illinois tremendously. The presence of an Orthodox rabbi and his family has shown everyone that it is possible to be on a secular college campus and still grow in your Judaism, without feeling like the two need to be separate. With classes throughout the week on Talmud, kashrut, Rashi, and more, anybody who wants an opportunity to explore Judaism is welcome, no matter what level of observance they personally follow. The Orthodox community at the University of Illinois is special because of the unity we feel with the rest of the Jews on campus. Shabbat tables are always filled with a mix of people - Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox side-by-side. With a JLIC family living here and graciously opening their house to students for festive meals, the experience of Shabbat and other holidays in a family setting can be brought to both those who observe such holidays and those have never seen them before. JLIC has made the UIUC Hillel a thriving place for growing orthodox Jews, as well as for students from other backgrounds who want to learn about Judaism, making the UIUC Hillel a great example of a place where all Jews come together to learn and walk in the ways of Hashem.

Josh Richman, Hillel co-president '07-'08 and active Orthodox student at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign

Kosher Food

Join us for three free kosher meals every Shabbat at the Cohen Center. Every Shabbat we have dinner, lunch and Seudah Shelishit. Of course, the Rothsteins would love to host you for a kosher Shabbat meal at their house as well!

Shabbat meal times at Hillel:
Friday night dinner: 6:30 PM
Shabbat Lunch: 12:45 PM
Seudah Shelishit: 4:10 PM

During the week, you can pick up a kosher boxed meal prepared by the popular caterer, English Hedgerow. There are seven types of boxes to choose from, including corned beef, salami, vegetarian options, and more. The boxes come with a drink and a choice of potato chips or Israeli Couscous salad. The boxed meals may be purchased from the student intern at the front desk of the Cohen Center between 12PM and 12AM for $7.50. The Shabbat meals and the boxed meals are all certified kosher by the CrC (Chicago Rabbinical Council)
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Kosher meals are offered through the University on Monday through Thursday nights at Allen Hall, a dormitory on campus. University meal credits may be used for this, or you can have a friend with extra credits swipe you in.

About The University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign

The University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign has 42,000 students. It is ranked as one of the best public Universities in the U.S. The College of Engineering is consistently ranked as one of the top engineering programs in the country. There are an estimated 3,300 Jewish students. Urbana/Champaign is a 2 hour drive south of Chicago and the Undergraduate Jewish population has a large number of students from the greater Chicago metropolitan area. There is a small, but vital Orthodox student community of about 25 students. There is a community/student Orthodox minyan that has met at Hillel for at least the last 50 years for Shabbat and the Holidays. The University of Illinois has a large Fraternity and Sorority system, and is also the home of a wide range of cultural and artistic events and activities. The University of Illinois is a member of the Big Ten athletic conference and host a wide range of competitive Division I athletic teams.

There is no eruv. Please contact us regarding recommendations about dorms.