Explore RIT Hillel

RIT Hillel  has been dedicated to ensuring a thriving Jewish student life on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) since 1954. Hillel enjoys prayer and dining space in the Schmitt Interfaith Center and meeting space in the Spirituality & Religious Life (SRL) Center. Additionally, the campus boasts a dedicated programming, cooking, and lounging space, Hillel House, conveniently located in Residence Hall B. The student-facilitated Hillel House kosher-style kitchen affords students, faculty, and staff Shabbat and holiday meals.

Loaded Latke, a Star K certified, Kosher dining location operated by RIT Dining, has added variety and a dependable source of kosher options on campus.
Hillel offers weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services (Friday, 6:30 pm, in Schmitt Interfaith Center or Hillel House), followed by either kiddush or a full Shabbat meal (7:00 p.m.), depending on the week. All RIT community members are welcome!

Rochester Institute of Technology  
RIT is located in Henrietta N,Y, a suburb of Rochester, NY.  There are about 15,000 undergraduates at RIT, as well as 3,000 graduate students.  There are an estimated 300 Jewish students at RIT.  RIT comprises multiple colleges, including the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), the nation's largest Deaf technical school.  

Rochester Jewish Community
The Rochester Jewish community is estimated at 19,000 people. There are Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Chabad synagogues. Synagogues in Rochester regularly welcome RIT students' participation in various programs.  

Jewish Life on Campus at RIT
RIT Hillel is one of several campus organizations pursuing a vibrant Jewish campus life. We proudly partner with WOLK Deaf Jewish Culture Club. Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity also provides community, leadership, and engagement opportunities for Jewish students on campus.
There is also collaboration with Chabad RIT where appropriate. The Cary Graphics Art Collection  at the Wallace Library contains one of the biggest collections of Yiddish typeface from The Yiddish Forward. They consistently look for students to work with as they catalog this valuable collection.

Gaming

Hillel staff are able and willing to connect students to RIT-based gaming projects. These include the Jewish Play Project.

Staffing

RIT Hillel activities are coordinated by the Hillel Student Board.

Undergraduate Enrollment

250 Jewish Students (22.1%*)
1,129 Students
*Percent of population

Graduate Enrollment

0 Jewish Students (0%*)
30 Students
*Percent of population

Jewish Experience

  • Served by Hillel Yes
  • Rabbi/Jewish Educator on Campus No
  • Kosher Food Available Yes
  • Birthright Israel Participation No
  • Alt Break Participation No
  • Jewish Studies Offered Yes
  • Jewish Studies Major or Minor None
  • Israel Fellow No

Additional Campus Information

  • Private/Public Private
  • Acceptance Rate N/A
  • U.S. Region Northeast
  • Commuter/Residential Residential
  • Tuition In-State $17,814
  • Tuition Out-of-State $17,814
  • Out-of-State/Int’l N/A
  • Greek Life Yes

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].

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Contact Information

Bldg 16 Rm 1408 40 Lomb Memorial Dr
Rochester NY 14623 US
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(585) 475-5932
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