Graduate Students at Harvard Hillel
Graduate students are looking to build Jewish community in ways that fit their unique schedules, interests, and life stages. We work with students across all of Harvard’s graduate schools, from the Cambridge campus to Longwood Medical Area, helping them create meaningful connections and Jewish experiences. We also provide steadfast support to Harvard’s Jewish Student Associations (JSAs) spanning across its graduate and professional schools.
Our approach combines university-wide graduate programming with school-specific initiatives. Whether you’re looking for social mixers with students from across Harvard’s graduate schools, or seeking community within HLS, we’re here to support you in building the Jewish life you want.
From professional networking to Shabbat dinners, from study sessions to social gatherings, we help graduate students find their place in Harvard’s Jewish community while navigating the demands of graduate life
What Our Graduate Students Say
Graduate students understand the value of finding community during demanding academic years. Their testimonials speak to how Harvard Hillel has become a gathering place where they build connections across schools and campuses, celebrate Jewish life together, and find respite from the intensity of graduate work.
I’m so grateful for Hillel’s support of community-building events for Jewish graduate students, both in Cambridge and around the Longwood campus. The weekly Jewish and Israeli community lunches at Longwood have been an especially meaningful space where faculty, students, and staff across the medical and public health schools and hospitals can come together. The additional social events for graduate students and young professionals have also been wonderful opportunities to strengthen our sense of connection and community.
- Dorit Stein, Ph.D + post-Doc, HES
This semester at Harvard Hillel has been one of the most grounding parts of my time in grad school. The events gave me a place to slow down, connect, and feel part of a real community in the middle of a hectic semester. Moriah’s warmth and presence made Hillel feel like a place I call home. I’m very grateful for what this space has added to my experience here at Harvard.
- Ariel Sloma, HBS + HKS
I am so grateful to Harvard Hillel! Their work and support of our Jewish student groups on the Longwood campus has been pivotal in helping us build community. Hosting lunches, events, and just bringing us together is always such a treat and helps us to build strong connnections and Jewish community across the medical campus. We are especially thankful for Moriah and all her work to build up the grad student community!
- Sophie Erlich, Ph.D, HSPH
This semester I participated in multiple activities at Harvard Hillel that made me feel I have a Jewish home on campus. I attended the Yom Kippur Conservative service, the “Sushi in the Sukkah” event, and the online Hebrew classes. Each event had a distinct effect for me. Hebrew classes are a great opportunity to learn about my heritage once a week while making new lasting connections. The holiday events gave me an opportunity to exercise my religion in a safe, familiar, and welcoming space.
- Ines Patop, Post-Doc HMS
Going to the Nova Festival Exhibition in October, a few days after the release of all hostages, meant a lot to me because it brought a sense of closure for my anxiety for all the living hostages. Hillel graduate events really make me feel more connected to the community and the history of Jewish people.
- Thiago Soares, HES
As a first-year PhD student, I’ve been amazed by how welcoming Harvard Hillel has been. The graduate events this semester, like Sushi in the Sukkah or the Rosh Hashanah dinner, made it incredibly easy to feel integrated and meet fellow students across programs. Coming from Europe, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the community here has exceeded anything I imagined. I’m truly grateful for the support that makes these events possible.
- Yoel Zimmerman, Ph.D, GSAS
Moriah has been an incredible champion for graduate Jewish life events at Hillel. I've enjoyed Rosh Hashanah and the wonderful Hillel Hearts Speed Dating, organized either in part or whole by her. And she has also helped me to organize an open mic night next semester. Thanks Moriah!
- Matthew Retchin, Ph.D, GSAS
This year I've been to several bagel brunches, one Hebrew lesson, and the Hillel Hearts Speed graduate-school dating event. I have always wanted to learn Hebrew and was extremely impressed at the way that the program was run such that any level of prior experience felt welcome. On top of that, the community events gave me a great opportunity to meet other Jews in graduate programs at HLS that I might not otherwise interact with. Every Harvard Hillel event felt like an integral part of my Jewish experience at HLS, and I'm sure I will continue to go to more events as I continue my graduate education.
- Michael Kanter, HLS
Get Involved
Have an idea for a program or event? Want to chat about Judaism or campus life? Want to set up a chavruta (partnered learning session) with a staff member or fellow student? Need more information? Email Moriah Sandidge today.