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 problem sets on the first floor of the library, eat together in the dining halls, and hang out in Hillel during the day.
Coming to college can be difficult. We made this page on our website to share information regarding Jewish life on campus to (hopefully) alleviate some stress. We're excited to meet you in the fall, and please be in touch with any questions! You can reach our president Talia Elkin here and our vice president Akiva Davis here.

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Incoming Student Checklist

1. Fill out the incoming student dining form.
3. Add yourself to the Yavneh email list to receive important updates here.
4. Join the minyan group chat (don't worry, it doesn't mean you need to go to minyan).
You can find the official pre-O-Week checklist here. Make sure not to miss any deadlines (but even if you do, we promise it's totally fine).

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Getting Ready for Jewish Life at UChicago

1. O-Week
   1. ​This year, O-Week is from Wednesday, Sept. 20 through Monday, Sept. 25.
   2. More information about orientation can be found here!
2. Housing
   1. ​Housing applications are due by Friday, June 30. Be sure to request a lower floor if you are concerned about walking up stairs on Shabbat. (Note: you need to submit your ID picture for approval before then!)
   2. You will be able to get a Sabbath key (aka 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 UC 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 (YET). While we are in the process of finalizing it, 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 other questions, please reach out to our president Talia Elkin here and our vice president Akiva Davis here!