Welcome to the University of Michigan Hillel family, we are so excited to share in these next 4 years with you!
On this page you will find information on our programming and opportunities for First Year Students of Hillel (FYSH).
The “Early Move-In” First Year Students of Hillel Retreat
Each Fall we are lucky to access a limited number of early move-in spots from the University to be able to offer a First Year Students of Hillel Retreat (August 19-21, 2024) – hosted by our amazing sophomore leadership. Our Retreat offers opportunities to learn about campus life and Hillel, meet other new freshmen, ask questions and gain insight from seasoned sophomores and upperclassmen leaders, and find community well before the first day of classes. Membership to our “Club Mem” provides guaranteed spots for the first 70 signups for students to join the Retreat. The balance of available Retreat spots are offered to students through a lottery system in early June. If you are a parent interested in joining Club Mem, contact Sarah Balis for more information and to get on the early bird list for 2024-2025. You can join Club Mem at any time, however registration to guarantee access to the Retreat closes at 5PM on May 31. Early Retreat Access for Club Mem opens at 8AM on June 3. Interested students can contact Sarah Balis.
FYSH Programming
FreshConnect Fellows are a dedicated group of students committed to supporting freshmen during their first year at Michigan. Throughout the first semester and specifically the first month of school, the FreshConnect fellows will be offering a variety of programs specifically for freshmen through our First Year Students of Hillel (FYSH) programming. Please join the Michigan Hillel Class of 2028 Groupme, fill out the Student Info Form, and follow us on Instagram (@MichiganHillel) to stay up to date on these events and other freshman-specific happenings.
The Jewish Learning Fellowship
JLF (Jewish Learning Fellowship) is unlike any Jewish learning you have done before! Each week we focus on a topic relevant to navigating college life and what Judaism (and you, and your peers!) have to say about them. Taking part in JLF is a great way to make friends, explore Judaism, and enjoy a free dinner each week. This opportunity is open to anyone from any Jewish background or level of experience with Jewish learning. JLF meets once a week over the course of 8 weeks with two additional Shabbat experiences just for your cohort! If you are looking for a weekly opportunity to get involved and find community then this is the opportunity for you!
Big FYSH/Little FYSH Mentor Matching
A Hillel mentor or ‘Big FYSH’ is an amazing resource whether you are looking for an upperclassman to answer all your burning questions or simply want another familiar face to say hi to around campus. Whether you are looking to break into Jewish community on campus or expand your current network, we’ve got you covered. Students matched can expect free coffee or lunch dates with their mentor, a resource to ask any and all questions, and a new friend to join at Hillel events. All first year students who apply will be matched. If you are interested in being matched with a FYSH mentor please fill out the following form.