» Jewish Students

Welcome from Rabbi Cassi Kail, Director of Jewish Life and University Chaplain

Shalom, and welcome to your Jewish home at Chapman University, where we are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all Jewish students. Our diverse Jewish community makes up nearly 10% of the student population. Whether you are religious or secular, attended a Jewish day school or never stepped foot into a synagogue, we are so glad that you are here. 

In partnership with student groups including Hillel, Chabad, SSI, and AEPi, Chapman offers a wide variety of opportunities to explore and celebrate your Jewish identity, engage your curiosity, create lifelong friendships, and perhaps even have some of the most meaningful experiences of your college years.  

As the Director of Jewish Life, it is my pleasure to not only create enriching experiences, but to also be a resource, source of support, and spiritual guidance.

Please don’t hesitate to reach me at kail@chapman.edu or (714) 744-2123, or to stop by my office at the Fish Interfaith Center to introduce yourself. I look forward to seeing you around campus!

Jewish clubs and organizations

Click the links to learn more about each student organization and get contact information.

• Hillel: An inclusive community providing opportunities to celebrate Jewish culture, and learn about and practice traditions. From Shabbat dinners to salsa nights, and “Chillel” social events, Hillel offers a wide array of fun and meaningful programs for you to enjoy. 
  • Follow Hillel on Instagram.
• Chabad: Offers social, educational, and spiritual programs for Chapman’s Jewish community. Some of these activities include weekly Shabbat dinners, holiday meals and events, and cultural learning programs. 
  • Follow Chabad on Instagram.

You can also learn about and join clubs in person at the Student Involvement Fair, which takes place once every semester.

Jewish holidays and traditions

At Chapman, you have a welcoming place to join in religious, social, and cultural programming on a regular basis, including these major Jewish observances and celebrations:

• Shabbat: Whether hosted by Jewish Life, Hillel, Chabad, or a combination thereof, there is an opportunity to celebrate Shabbat every Friday night and enjoy a tasty kosher Shabbat dinner. 
• High Holy Days: Whether on campus, or at neighboring congregations, there are opportunities to celebrate the High Holy Days at Chapman. This year’s offerings include a Rosh Hashanah Seder, interactive Rosh Hashanah service, several events in the Sukkah during Sukkot and a musical Simchat Torah celebration. We also partner with several local congregations who warmly welcome Chapman students for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.  
• Passover: ​​Each Year, Chapman University hosts a Passover Seder with kosher-for-Passover food. Throughout the holiday, you can enjoy fresh cooked kosher-for-Passover food, provided on campus at the Caf (Randall Dining Commons).  
  • If you’re on a meal plan, simply show up as usual and there’s no extra cost to you. If you’re not on a meal plan, review Passover FAQs for information about how to purchase food.
• Hanukkah: Although Hanukkah occurs when many students and faculty are off campus, Jewish Life at Chapman often coordinates a campus-wide “It’s (Almost!) Time for Hanukkah Fest” in the Attallah Piazza.

Academic opportunities

There are many academic opportunities that are notably enriched by our on-campus Holocaust Library. Some of these options include:

Holocaust History minor

The Holocaust History minor allows you to study the origins and history of the Holocaust within the context of European and Jewish history and explore the central themes and topics in Holocaust research.

Students may declare a minor once the semester begins and before they reach 60 units. For further instructions on how to declare a minor, visit the Change or Add Majors and Minors page.

Jewish Community internships and careers

There are local, national, and international internships and post-graduate fellowships in Jewish nonprofit work, social justice, spirituality, and education – and Jewish Life at Chapman can help get you connected to these opportunities. 

If you are interested in pursuing an internship, connecting with Jewish Chapman alumni, or traveling abroad to Jewish communities, contact the Director of Jewish Life at kail@chapman.edu. 

Study abroad opportunities

All Chapman students can choose to go abroad for a semester, a full year, or a travel course, which is shorter and held over the winter or summer terms. 

More details about study abroad opportunities are on the Religious Support Abroad page. 

Jewish life in Southern California

Within Orange County and the broader Southern California region, numerous Jewish organizations offer opportunities for involvement, such as:

Synagogues located in Orange County:

• Temple Beth Sholom, Reform (2 miles from campus) 
• Congregation B'nai Israel, Conservative (7 miles from campus) 
• Temple Beth Emet, Reform (7 miles from campus) 
• Temple Beth Tikvah, Reform (9 miles from campus) 
• University Synagogue, Reconstructionist (12 miles from campus) 
• Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot, Reform (12 miles from campus) 
• Temple Beth Ohr, Reform (13 miles from campus) 
• Temple Bat Yahm. Reform (14 miles from campus)

Local and Regional Jewish Community Organizations

There are extraordinary cultural resources to be found in the surrounding area of Chapman, such as:

• Jewish Federation of Orange County: Engages the Jewish community in Orange County by offering resources that enhance and sustain Jewish life, including various philanthropies and community projects. 
• Merage JCC of Orange County: Offers different programs and services that celebrate Jewish culture, foster health and well-being, embrace tradition, and create friendships amongst the community. 
• Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Newport Beach
• Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles
• Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas

Off-campus kosher food resources

As for off-campus kosher food resources, the following may be of interest:

• Nosh House: A Glatt Kosher café located next to OC Kosher Market in Tustin.
• Blueberry Hill Café: Located at the JCC in Irvine.
• Blessed Braid Bakery: Certified kosher by the Rabbinical Council of California; some products are vegan and/or gluten free. Located in Irvine.

Outside scholarships for Jewish students

Visit the Jewish Applicants page for more details about scholarships designed specifically for Jewish students, along with a list of options that can help financially support your college education.