Welcome Shabbat
The first Shabbat of the school year welcoming all new and returning W&L students!
Explore Washington and Lee University Hillel
In 2008 W&L Hillel was designated a Small and Mighty Campus of Excellence by ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ.
Hillel provides students a place to call their "home away from home" at Washington and Lee. Our activities and programs provide students with the opportunity to explore their Jewish identities during this important period in their lives. Whether they are attending services, socializing with professors, eating ice cream at study breaks, or doing a community service project, students are engaging in Jewish life in a way that's comfortable and on their own terms.
Mission:
Washington and Lee Hillel is established to provide facilities, guidance and organization for religious, cultural, educational, social community service and interfaith activities for Jewish students and Washington and Lee University. W&L Hillel is dedicated to building Jewish identity while nurturing intellectual and Spiritual Growth.
Washington and Lee Hillel Values:
- Creating a pluralistic, welcoming, and inclusive environment
- Fostering student growth
- Balancing the need for both a distinctively Jewish and universal human identity
- Pursuing tzedek (social justice), tikkun olam (repairing the world), and Jewish learning
- Supporting Israel and the global Jewish community.
- Committing to excellence, innovation, accountability, and results
Hillel House
Our Hillel House is home to the kosher-style eCafe, open to the public every day except Shabbat for bagels, smoothies and more! The Hillel House offers more than 7000 sq ft of space for gatherings, quiet study, worship, meetings and other special events. Hillel House has a kosher-style kitchen just for the Jewish students.
Undergraduate Enrollment
80 Jewish Students (4.3%*)
1,881 Students
*Percent of population
1,881 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
20 Jewish Students (5.6%*)
355 Students
*Percent of population
355 Students
*Percent of population
Jewish Experience Through Hillel
- Served by Hillel Yes
- Religious Services Available Yes
- Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator No
- Hillel Mental Health/Wellness Staff No
- Kosher Food Available No
- Birthright Israel Participation Yes
- Alt Break Participation No
- Israel Fellow No
- No
Campus Climate for Jewish Students
- Hillel CCI Antisemitism Training Participant No
- No
- Anti-Israel Student Government or BDS Resolution None
Religious Services
Washington and Lee Hillel welcomes all W&L undergrads, law students and VMI cadets and their guests to observe Shabbat. We have Ma'ariv services and dinner every Friday night, and host monthly Shabbats that are open to staff, faculty, and members of the Lexington and Rockbridge Jewish community as well. W&L Hillel also welcomes everyone to High Holiday services, a Passover seder, and celebrations and observances for all holidays that fall within the academic year. Our services are pluralistic and inclusive and there is never a cost to attend any service at W&L Hillel.
Frequency: Friday night only
Additional Campus Information
Visit
- Jewish Studies Offered Yes
- Jewish Studies Major or Minor Other
- Study Abroad in Israel University approved programs, Accepts credit for Israel study abroad
- Private/Public Private
- Acceptance Rate 14%
- U.S. Region Mid-Atlantic
- Commuter/Residential Residential
- Tuition In-State $66,800
- Tuition Out-of-State $66,800
- °¿³Ü³Ù-´Ç´Ú-³§³Ù²¹³Ù±ð/±õ²Ô³Ù’l 82% / 8%
- Greek Life Yes
Campus Voices
You were hired because of who you are. You'll learn new skills. You'll grow in ways you can't imagine.
Sofie Ramirez Soto, Lexington, VA
Read Sofie’s Story Here
Events
Welcome Brunch
Meet the Hillel staff and student board at our first ever Hillel welcome brunch!
FYSH Kickoff
FYSH, first year students of Hillel, is a program designed to connect our Jewish freshmen and underclassmen to create real connections and provide mentorship. Join us for our kickoff at Blue Ridge Parkway!
Related Scholarships
Check out some of the scholarships available for Washington and Lee University Jewish students.
Washington and Lee University
The Max and Sylvia Weinstein Scholarship was established to recognize an entering first-year student with an exemplary academic and extracurricular record. It is a unique opportunity for students of the Jewish faith who hope to become involved in Washington and Lee's vibrant Jewish community. The scholarship is for full tuition and is renewable for four years of work at Washington and Lee, provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 grade point average.
The Hillel College Guide aims to provide you with a snapshot of each local Hillel’s makeup and offerings. We recognize that there may be more information you need in order to better understand the campus reality, particularly around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. If you would like additional information about a given campus’ offerings or action steps in those areas, please reach out to us at [email protected].