Yavneh, The Orthodox Community at Columbia/Barnard
Yavneh, the Orthodox group of Columbia University and Barnard College, is one of the largest and strongest student groups on campus. From daily minyanim and learning initiatives, to social events like Make-Your-Own-Pizza Night and Assassins, there are endless ways to get involved. No matter where you come from, this is a place where you can feel at home. Learn more at http://www.yavnehcu.com/
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact yavneh@hillel.columbia.edu.
The Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life
Columbia/Barnard Hillel is the catalyst for students to explore and consciously define their Jewish identity. Our quest is to help students, regardless of their origin or destination, find their own interpretation of Jewish values, culture, community and religion by empowering them to explore, learn, and grow intellectually, spiritually and socially. By encouraging exploration in warm and accepting environments, we invite self-reflection and open dialogue so each student can discover their own path to integrate being Jewish into their life choices and expressions.
In a world of abounding choices, we offer a captivating array of opportunities which engage students in all things Jewish– fun and thoughtful– opening the door to transformational experiences. We are passionately committed to enabling our students to meaningfully contribute to the local and global Jewish community, Columbia University/Barnard College, and the world-at-large. Learn more http://hillel.columbia.edu/
Shabbat
Many students will tell you that Shabbat on campus is the highlight of their weeks here. About 250 students participate in a typical Shabbat at Yavneh. After Friday night minyan and Shabbat dinner, many students re-congregate at Kraft for Friday Night Hangout, learning in the Beit Midrash, and sometimes a “Shiur by your Peer.” On Shabbat morning, davening is followed by kiddush, lunch in the dining hall or individual suites, mincha, and seudah shlishit. At seudah shlishit students from Koach(Columbia/Barnard’s Conservative group)and Yavneh join together to sing and share divrei Torah. Shabbat ends with an energetic havdallah.
Shabbat meals on campus are run and brought to life by a special Shabbat Meals Committee, made up of students who make sure that the meals run smoothly and are fun and welcoming for all students who wish to join.
Kosher Dinning
There are a few daily kosher food options at Columbia/Barnard, all of which are included in a Barnard/Columbia meal plan. Barnard’s Hewitt Dining Hall has hot kosher food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. John Jay, on Columbia’s campus, offers packaged sandwiches, wraps, salads, and pastas. Some of the packaged food is also sold in Barnard’s Diana Center, where you can also find kosher sushi! The Kraft Center houses Vish (not covered by a Barnard/Columbia meal plan) on the second floor, an Israeli-style hummus place. The Upper West Side of Manhattan also has a wide variety of restaurants.
Housing at Columbia/Barnard
First-year students typically live in dormitories while many upperclassmen live in university apartments with several bedrooms and kitchen facilities. Shabbat dormitory access varies by building, but reasonable accommodations are made in all cases.