Bear Beginnings & Welcome Events
BEAR BEGINNINGS 2022
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19
SHABBAT SERVICES
5:15 - 6:00 PM | WashU Hillel, 6300 Forsyth
Join us for your choice of services to usher in Shabbat at WashU! Please RSVP here by Tuesday, August 16 for Reform, Conservative, and/or Orthodox options, subject to interest.
BEAR BEGINNINGS SHABBAT DINNER WITH CHANCELLOR ANDREW D. MARTIN
6:00 PM | WashU Hillel, 6300 Forsyth
Celebrate your first college Shabbat with your family and meet new friends at a festive Hillel dinner with Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. Dinner is free for first years, $18 per additional family member. RSVPs are strongly encouraged here by Tuesday, August 16. Limited walk-in space available.
*Bear Beginnings Services and Dinner timing has been revised (as of 7/28/22) to accommodate floor meetings for students moving in on Friday.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
AFTERNOON OPEN HOUSE & SEUDAH SHLISHIT
3:00-5:00 PM | WashU Hillel, 6300 Forsyth
Take a break from move-in or stop by during an afternoon Shabbat walk. Learn about Jewish life on campus, meet other new students, families, and the Hillel staff, and see our beautiful home. Refreshments served. No reservations required.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23
BEAR MITZVAH; A MIXER FOR WASHJEWS
9:00-11:00 PM | Risa Commons on the South 40
Join new students to celebrate like it's your B-Mitzvah hosted by WashU Hillel and Chabad on Campus! Enjoy dessert, music, and more...you won't want to miss it!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
HILLEL SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE
10:00 AM | WashU Hillel, 6300 Forsyth
Join us for danishes and davening with a lively student-led conservative/traditional egalitarian Shabbat morning service. Please RSVP here.
HILLEL SHABBAT SHA-BRUNCH POP-UP
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM | South 40
Drop by to enjoy bagels, schmear, lots of lox, and more! Meet fellow first-years, schmooze with Hillel staff and students, and learn more about Jewish life on campus.
WELCOME EVENTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26
HILLEL @ THE TAILGATE
5:00 PM | Francis Field
Join Hillel for delicious kosher food and snacks at the Bear Beginnings Tailgate. Go Bears!
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
JEWBQ
5:00-7:00 PM | Lien-Gregg Porch on the South 40
Join Hillel and Chabad for a kosher BBQ to kick off the year with Jewish students on campus. Vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
WELCOME BACK SHABBAT DINNER
Services at 6 PM (optional)/Dinner at 7 PM | Hillel Building
Unwind after the first week of classes with Hillel's annual Welcome Back Shabbat Dinner! Schmooze with other first years and meet returning students over a delicious classic Shabbat meal. Groups will meet at the Clocktower at 5:45 PM to walk over for services and at 6:45 PM to walk over for dinner. RSVP here!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
FRESHFEST: CARDINALS GAME!
1:30 PM - evening | Meet at Lopata Great Hall before traveling to the Metro Link together
Join friends, new classmates, and WashU Hillel student leaders to cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals as they take on the Washington Nationals! We'll meet up on campus to get to know one another and travel to Busch Stadium together. Event is $18 per person and includes your ticket to the game and your choice of a kosher hotdog, pastrami dog or veggie/gf option, plus chips and a drink. Register here by August 29!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
COOL DOWN WITH WASHU HILLEL
5:00-7:00 PM (or until we run out!) | Lien-Gregg Porch on the South 40
Come by for free Kona shaved ice and meet other WashU Jews!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
SABABA: JEWISH ARTS AND CULTURE FESTIVAL
10:00 AM – 5 PM | Parking Lot outside Simon Hall
SABABA is an outdoor St. Louis festival showcasing the vibrancy of contemporary Jewish culture both locally and nationally. We’re thrilled it will once again take place on the WashU campus! Enjoy visual art exhibitions from near and far, culinary experiences, and musical performances from SIX13, Sheldon Low and Friends, and more!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
FRESHFEST: APPLE ADVENTURE
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM (‘ish)
Do you love apples and fun fall days in the country? Join First Year Students of Hillel for an adventure at Eckert’s! Pick some apples to enjoy with friends and more to donate to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Event is free, but bring $ if you want to purchase or donate apples, or get other items at the gift shop. Register here by September 28!
