Holidays

Stony Brook Celebrates

Stony Brook University Hillel strives to offer quality holiday programming for students. Below, you will find information about celebrating holidays at Stony Brook.  For more information about holidays in general, please visit myjewishlearning.com.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Stony Brook University is closed during the High Holidays however we offer an Orthodox and Conservative service for faculty and community members at which students are always welcome. There are at least a dozen students who do remain on campus for the High Holidays and they are always found at our Rabbis homes for meals in particular at a large break-fast at our Directors residence.

Students are welcome to attend these services free of charge, however you must have a ticket

To request a ticket click here

Sukkot

Stony Brook University Hillel is proud to have 4 sukkot:

Main Campus: between the Stony Brook Union and Sports Complex.

HSC:  location to be changed for fall of 2010

plus both of our staff Rabbis open their Sukkot to students for various progrqams and meals. 

Students are encouraged to take their food from Delancey Street and dine in the Main Sukkah especially during our weekly Lunch and Learn and of course Shabbat.  In addition, we hold a full week of programs such as our annual "Sukkah Hop"

Simchat Torah

Stony Brook Hillel joins with Stony Brook Hebrew Congregation for an on campus celebration not to be missed! 

Chanukah

Depending on when Chanukah falls during the academic calendar, Stony Brook Hillel may or may not provide holiday programming.

This year we are excited to host candlelighting on the giant SAC (Student Activities Center) menorah every night of Hanukah at 5:30 (On Friday evenings at 4:00 PM).  Each night will be hosted by a different one of our affinity groups:  Hillel Student Club, ROOTS, Focus Israel, Womans Wellness, AEPi, Koach, and GAP.  Stay tunes for this years schedule of giveaways.  Also look out for information on HSC candle lightings. 

We are also thrilled to bring back Latke 1000 - how many latkes can you eat? This event adds a 9th crazy night to our holiday and will be held on Thursday, December 10th at 6:00 PM.  To sign up for a team, contact Joy!

Purim

Purim programming is also dependant upon the academic calendar. Sometimes Purim falls during spring break. If Purim falls when school is in session, we typically host several megillah readings on both main campus and the HSC followed by Purim festivities. This year, the Hillel Student Club hosted their first large scale Purim Fair with a bouncing jousting booth, real carnival games, cotton candy and other great carnival food and more.

This event followed a weekend of phenomenal activities for our annual  "Mega Megillah Shbbat". Fridays dinner will feature a top comedian and Saturday lunch will feature the "Great Latke Hamentashen Debate."  Parents and alum are alll welcome.

Passover

Stony Brook University is closed during the first two days of Passover. If any students remain on campus, they will always be welcome at our Directors home for a seder. 

Delancey Street opens after the seders and serves full kosher for Passover meals during lunch and dinner hours.

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)

Every year Stony Brook University Hillel commemorates Yom HaShoah.  In a central location on campus, students pay tribute to the six million Jewish martyrs by reading many of their names.  Members of the faculty, staff, and administration also participate in this solemn memorial vigil.  Hillel also invites Holocaust survivors to campus to speak with students.

Yom Ha'atzma'ut (Israel Independance Day)

Stony Brook University Hillel celebrates Yom Ha'atzma'ut in a variety of ways.  The festivities, in a high-profile location on campus, haveincluded Israeli music and dancing, Krav Maga, Is"reel" film festivals, speakers, free falafel, and distribution of information about Israel.

This year, we are planning our first Israeli Field day. Look out for more information.