Religious Services
Union College offers weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services at 5:30 pm in the Hillel lounge adjacent to the Kosher Kitchen. The services are both compiled and led by students. They are pluralistic in nature with considerable singing and are fully transliterated. Kiddush and a kosher Shabbat dinner follow services. The Kosher Kitchen has become a lively gathering spot on Friday afternoons now that students are preparing Shabbat dinner. Occasionally a professor will join the students for dinner and a discussion on a topic of Jewish interest. Although many students prefer to celebrate the High Holidays with their families, Hillel provides on campus services for our students when the holidays fall mid-week. We hire a rabbi to conduct services on campus and provide appropriate festive meals. Students are also welcome to attend Schenectady synagogues.
The campus Passover seder has also become increasingly popular celebration. In the spring of 2009 we had about 90 students gather in Old Chapel for the first seder. Other Pesach accommodations for students include a full week kosher-for-Passover dinner plan in the Kosher Kitchen and an array of kosher-for-Passover options in the dining halls.