Welcome to yavneh!

Yavneh is the student run Orthodox Jewish community in Hyde Park. We have minyan three times a day, eat Shabbat meals together, and learn Torah together. We work on p-sets on the first floor of the library, eat together in the dining halls, and hang out in Hillel during the day. Most importantly, we are all friends and always look out for each other. 

Coming to college can be difficult. We made this page on our website to share information regarding Orthodox Jewish life on campus to (hopefully) alleviate some stress. We're excited to meet you in the fall!

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INCOMING STUDENT CHECKLIST 

1. Fill out the incoming student form.
2. Fill out the general Yavneh form.
3. Add yourself to the Yavneh email list to receive important updates here.
4. Join the minyan group chat.

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Getting ready for jewish life at UChicago

1. O-Week
   1. ​This year, O-Week (September 21-26) falls out on Rosh Hashanah (September 25-27). The University is accommodating for holiday observances, so don't worry about missing class. Yavneh will have minyan and meals. More information will be sent out as the Yamim Noraim get closer.​
   2. More information about orientation can be found here.
2. Housing
   1. ​Housing applications are due July 1. Be sure to request a lower floor if you are concerned about walking up stairs on Shabbat. 
   2. You will be able to get a physical key for your dorm. 
   3. Roommates are random–you can't elect to live with a Jewish roommate or choose the dorm that you are in. 
   4. Since all four dining halls serve hot kosher food, you won't ever be far from a kosher meal, no matter what dorm you're placed in. There are also currently Orthodox Students in all University dorms. All this is to say that dorms shouldn't be a point of concern. 
3. Dining
   1. Hot kosher food is available in every dining hall.
   2. ​Because UChicago Dining does not provide Kosher food on Shabbat, Yavneh receives reimbursements from Dining for kiddush, lunch, and seudah shelishit. Yavneh is the only campus organization that provides these meals. If you plan on attending some or all of these meals with Yavneh instead of swiping into the dining hall on Shabbat, fill out this form.
4. Other stuff
   1. Sadly, ​Hyde Park doesn't currently have an eruv. While we are in the process of finalizing approval with the City of Chicago, it is possible that there still won't be an eruv when you arrive on campus. In this case, an eruv belt or bracelet will be the best way to hold onto your keys on Shabbat. More info will be communicated as the year gets closer. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ari Stein here or Talia Elkin here.