Transitions: - The Jewish Theological Seminary

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services are held at JTS
for students and members of the surrounding community. Registration takes place via the JTS
website. Information about High Holy Day services at JTS, in local synagogues and at
Columbia/Barnard Hillel is available to all students in advance of the holidays. Jewish Life
Directors also coordinate meals for students staying on campus for the high holy days.
Sukkot/Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah: Sukkot at JTS is not to be missed. JTS constructs two
large sukkot in the courtyard that include beautiful decorations from Women’s League for
Conservative Judaism and students from local Hebrew schools. Subsidized meals are available
in the Sukkot on Yom Tov which adds to the celebratory atmosphere, and the dining hall offers
dinner for purchase during Hol HaMoed. Each residence hall also houses its own sukkah.
The Upper West Side offers festive synagogue celebrations on Simhat Torah; information about
hakafot and prayer services at local synagogue and Columbia/Barnard Hillel is available to
students in advance of the holidays.
Purim: Students enjoy festive services at JTS, Columbia and synagogues on the Upper West
Side on Erev Purim. Purim Day, WLSS hosts Shaharit and the reading of the Megillah while the
Office of Student Life organizes a Purim se’udah with student entertainment. Students must
reserve a seat at the se’udah at a subsidized price.
Pesah: There are no classes at JTS during Pesah, and the Dining Hall is closed. Many students
go home for the sedarim; the Office of Student Life helps find home hospitality for students
looking for a place to attend sedarim. Many kosher restaurants are open in New York City
during Hol HaMoed, and grocery stores are stocked with food that is Kosher for Passover.
What options are available at Columbia and Barnard?
Students in the Joint and Double Degree Programs are also very active in Jewish life at
Columbia and Barnard. Many List College students attend services on a regular basis and are
involved in a variety of activities through the Columbia/Barnard Hillel. The Kraft Center for
Jewish Life offers a variety of minyanim. Many undergraduates daven there as well as in
synagogues throughout the vibrant Upper West Side community. The Kraft Center can be
contacted at (212) 854-5111 or through its website: www.hillel.columbia.edu.
Community Outreach
Va’ad Gemilut Hasadim: Susan and Jack Rudin Center for Community Outreach
Unterberg 209, Box 105
(212) 678-8915, rudecalo@jtsa.edu, www.jtsa.edu/vaad
Ruth Decalo, Director of Student Life and Community Outreach
What is the Va’ad Gemilut Hasadim?
The Va’ad Gemilut Hasadim (“the Va’ad”) operates under the auspices of the Office of Student
Life and provides the JTS community with a variety of opportunities to volunteer in the local
community. The Va’ad’s motto, “Helping out for heaven’s sake,” underscores the fact that
although Va’ad volunteers are not paid for their efforts, the rewards they receive are substantial.
Through deeds of loving-kindness (gemilut hasadim), the Va’ad brings the Talmud to life as it
transforms learning into action (Talmud mavi l’yedai ma’aseh).
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