Fellowships
Columbia/Barnard Hillel Fellowships are all about the intersection between your passions, interests, and identities. Fellowships gather to learn, talk, and build community on a weekly basis. Some fellowships are discussion-based while others bring in outside educators and guests to facilitate learning and dialogue. Fellowships are open to all Columbia/Barnard undergraduate students.
Check out what we’re offering for Spring 2025. Scroll down to register.
Israeli society is so much more than what we read in the headlines. From music to sculpture, architecture to film, and photography to graffiti, there is so much to learn about Israeli history and culture by exploring art, both old and new. In Art Up Nation, we’ll examine art (visual, written, and recorded) relating to themes across Israel – nature, language, democracy, war, peace, religion, and more.
Whether or not you’ve spent time in Israel or are up to date with current events, whether or not you consider yourself an art expert, this fellowship is for you… if you want to consider prevalent ideas in Israeli society by experiencing a wide range of artistic expressions. We won’t ask you to leave your politics at the door, but we will ask you to come with an interest in discussing more than just politics, with people whose prior experience with Israeli culture may be different from yours.
This fellowship meets on…Mondays, 6:30-8 pm, starting January 27
Questions? Reach out to Liana and Maayan
In a time when representation in Hollywood is more relevant than ever, what does that mean when it comes to Jews? What can it mean? From An American Tale to The Fabelmans and The Corpse Bride to X-Men, smatterings of Jewish representation have permeated the big screen for decades. Jews on Film will explore Jewish Media Representation–the good, the bad, and the undetectable–with screenings, speakers (did someone say Jewish Celebrities??), and film-related outings.
This Fellowship is for you if: you’re engaged in film spaces, circles, communities, and academics, you’re interested in the more esoteric concept of media representation, and if your taste in movies is of the lower-brow type.
This Fellowship will meet: Mondays, 6:30-8 pm
Questions? Reach out to Elan
Are bagels Jewish? Do you think they are unique to New York? Do you love exploring NYC and seeing Jewish sites? From the Lower East Side to Harlem to the Upper West Side and down to Brooklyn Judaism & the City will dive into the impact Jews have had on New York & the impact New York has had on the Jews.
This fellowship is for you if… you are interested in spending time cultivating community, exploring the history, culture and food of the NYC Jewish community, and learning about ways that New York Jews have contributed to American culture at large all while traveling around NYC!
This fellowship meets on…Fridays starting on February 28th. Sessions will begin at 11:00, end time will vary. Dates: 2/28, 3/7, 3/28, 4/4, 4/25
Questions? Reach out to Rachel
YOU MADE IT! You’re in college! Now what?! College provides the opportunity to decide who we want to be and how we want to interact with the world around us. Judaism & College Life is a conversational, experiential fellowship is for anyone from the Class of 2028 looking to make friends and build community with other Jewish first-year students, while deepening your connection to Judaism on your own terms. No prior formal Jewish education is expected! Judaism & College Life will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30. Email Rachel with any questions
This fellowship is for you if… you’re a first year student, you didn’t attend a Jewish day school, you’re not sure what you want your Jewish life to look like on campus, you want an informal but structured space to make new friends
This fellowship meets on…Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm
Questions? Reach out to Rachel and Sofi
Two old Jewish men are talking. One says to the other, “Every morning, like clockwork, I pee at 7:30.” The other one says, “That’s great!” The first one replies, “No, it isn’t. I don’t get out of bed till 9!” Is this a Jewish joke? What makes it Jewish? In Judaism & Comedy, we’ll come together to enjoy and explore Jewish humor from across the ages. Join us for a weekly dose of laughing and learning as we work our way through jokes, tropes, sketches, and kvetches!
This fellowship is for you if… You don’t have to be funny to join this fellowship, but a good sense of humor never killed anyone! In all seriousness, though, this fellowship is open to anyone looking to be exposed to a wide variety of Jewish comedy, engage thoughtfully with the Jewish content that underpins the humor, and celebrate the rich culture that has kept the Jews moving forward through history, one laugh at a time.
This fellowship meets on…Tuesdays, 6:30-8 pm, starting February 4
Questions? Reach out to Isaac and Liana
Oh. My. God! (gosh?) When was the last time you had a conversation about God? Yesterday? Never? In Judaism & God, we will discuss with curiosity and openness the role, figure, and idea of God in our religion and culture. Whether you love talking about the divine or it makes you want to leave the room, all perspectives on God are welcome.
This fellowship is for you if… you’re excited to explore Judaism’s many perspectives on the Divine and the role God plays (or doesn’t appear to play) in Jewish texts, history, and our lives today. No prior Jewish education or experience is expected or required. Big questions and hot takes are welcome.
This fellowship meets on…Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45 pm
Questions? Reach out to Audrey and Micah
Want to bring new habits and routines into your life? Are you looking for a like-minded community of people to encourage you in that? In this Judaism & the Morning we’ll explore and establish morning rituals and routines that are grounded in Jewish texts, traditions, practices and values. Together we’ll go to work out classes, practice mindfulness, exercise gratitude, find new recipes, journal and most importantly build connections with ourselves and one another. This fellowship will meet on Tuesday mornings starting February 4th, from 9am-10am. Have any questions? Reach out to [email protected].
This fellowship is for you if… you’re into wellness, workouts, coffee with friends, and exploring ways to incorporate Jewishness into your morning routine
This fellowship meets on…Tuesdays, 9-10 am, starting February 4
Questions? Reach out to Maia
Love to cook? Love to eat? Each week, Recipe Lab explores the history and culinary traditions of a different global Jewish community, all while sampling their cuisine and giving you the tools to make the featured recipes at home. No prior cooking or Jewish knowledge is necessary – you’ll learn during the sessions. Featured cuisines may include (but are not limited to!) Turkish, Hungarian, Ethiopian, Syrian, Mexican, and German. At the end of the semester, you’ll have a recipe box filled with delicious dishes to share with friends and family on Shabbat, holidays, and all year round!
This fellowship is for you if… you are a foodie, an aspiring chef, or just want to learn more about Jewish foods from around the world.
This fellowship meets on…Friday mornings, 11 am-12:30pm, starting on February 7
Questions? Reach out to Navah
Tap into your artistic side at Ritual Lab, where you’ll create a personal collection of Jewish ritual objects! Each week we’ll work in a different medium, and by the end of the semester you will have created your very own mezuzah, Shabbat candlesticks, kiddush cup and challah cover. No prior knowledge about Jewish ritual objects, holidays, or any of the artistic mediums we’ll be working in is assumed or necessary – we’ll learn together!
This fellowship is for you if… you enjoy crafting (but might not consider yourself an artist!), you’ve always wanted to have your own Jewish ritual objects but never got the chance to learn about them, and this would be your first time participating in Ritual Lab!
This fellowship meets on…Wednesdays, 6-7:30 pm, beginning on 2/5. We’ll enjoy Shabbat dinner together with what we’ve created on 4/5.
Questions? Reach out to Navah