Shabbat and Holidays
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ShabbatFriday nights are when the W&M Jewish community comes together. Our offerings vary from week to week. Some weeks we have a full Shabbat dinner, other times we have "Shabbat & Schmooze," where students gather for snacks and socializing.
Student-led services are held every other week, more or less. Services are pluralistic and egalitarian. We use the Reconstructionist siddur and enjoy lots of singing. Services are a very casual environment and we welcome interruptions for questions. Queer Talmud Club meets on the first and third Saturdays of the month to study traditional Jewish texts and discuss them through the lens of LGBTQ experience. Temple Beth El, an unaffiliated synagogue on Jamestown Road, holds Shabbat services at 7:30pm on Fridays and 10:00am on Saturdays. |
Holidays
High Holy Days: W&M Hillel organizes rides to nearby synagogues of all denominations (see below for descriptions) for services. We hold Rosh Hashanah dinner and Yom Kippur break-fast, as well as Tashlich on the Crim Dell Bridge.
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SukkotSukkot: W&M Hillel builds a community sukkah in the Crim Dell Meadow and holds meals and discussions in it throughout the week. In 2015 we joined Rabbi Litt and his family in their Sukkah for dinner on the first night.
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Chanukah
Chanukah: W&M Hillel holds a Hanukkah party every year with latkes and sufganiyot, and provides students with menorahs, dreidels, and gelt. We also gather nightly to light menorot and say the blessings.
Purim
Purim: W&M Hillel holds a megillah reading and Purim costume party with hamentashen. We also host an annual Latke vs. Hamentashen debate around purim.
Passover
Passover: W&M Hillel holds first and second night seders, and works with Dining Services to provide students with kosher for Passover meal options.
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Yom HaShoah
Yom HaShoah: W&M Hillel holds a service at the Crim Dell amphitheater.
Nearby Synagogues
Temple Beth El
Location: 600 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA (directly across from Phi Beta Kappa Hall)
Denomination: Unaffiliated, Reconstructionist siddur
Website: www.tbewilliamsburg.org
Temple Sinai
Location: 11620 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA
Denomination: Reform
Website: http://www.templesinai-nn.org/
Rodef Sholom Temple
Location: 318 Whealton Rd, Hampton, VA
Denomination: Conservative
Website: http://www.rodefsholomtemple.org/
Adath Jeshurun Synagogue
Location: 401 City Center Blvd, Newport News, VA
Denomination: Orthodox
Contact: Email Rabbi Litt at rabbilitt@wmhillel.org
Location: 600 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA (directly across from Phi Beta Kappa Hall)
Denomination: Unaffiliated, Reconstructionist siddur
Website: www.tbewilliamsburg.org
Temple Sinai
Location: 11620 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA
Denomination: Reform
Website: http://www.templesinai-nn.org/
Rodef Sholom Temple
Location: 318 Whealton Rd, Hampton, VA
Denomination: Conservative
Website: http://www.rodefsholomtemple.org/
Adath Jeshurun Synagogue
Location: 401 City Center Blvd, Newport News, VA
Denomination: Orthodox
Contact: Email Rabbi Litt at rabbilitt@wmhillel.org
