Commencement 2008
Helpful information for religiously observant Jewish families
who are planning to attend commencement
The University has again made certain arrangements to help religiously observant Jewish families who are planning to attend commencement activities on Friday and Saturday,
May 23-24, 2008.
On-Campus Lodging
The University will provide low-cost lodging in the Southwest Residential Area, within walking distance of all commencement venues, on Friday and Saturday nights. These rooms must be reserved in advance, no later than May 9th (but make your reservation early to ensure a room on a lower floor).
More information about lodging
Online room reservations or mail-in registration with payment, must be received
by 5:00pm on Friday, May 9th.
Families who cannot use elevators for religious reasons may request rooms on the lower floors. Use the "Special Needs" box at the bottom of the online reservation form to indicate this need.
Metal keys will be provided for individual rooms, and the buildings themselves will remain unlocked, to avoid the need for electronic card access.
A cash deposit will be required for keys, which will be refunded upon check-out.
If necessary, you may arrange for late check-out on Saturday evening. (Indicate this need in the "Special Needs" box on the room reservation form.)
Kosher Meals
Both CHABAD and HILLEL will provide kosher meals on Friday evening and Saturday. Arrangements for these meals must be made in advance, directly with Hillel or Chabad.
For meal reservations, contact ...
Hillel ...... Ms. Abigail Kulick (413) 549-1710 ext 203 (by Monday, May 19th)
Chabad ... Rabbi Chaim Adelman (413) 549-2008
Religious Services
Schedule for minyans and meals at HILLEL:
Erev Shabbat...
6:25pm Minchah
6:40pm Candles followed by Maariv
7:30pm Dinner
Shabbat day...
9:00am Shacharit followed by lunch
Minchah and 3rd meal time TBA
For more information about religious services, contact HILLEL or CHABAD directly.
(see contact info above)
Some families have inquired whether there will be an eruv on campus, and the answer is no, not for this year's commencement.
For more information about this year's commencement, including a detailed schedule of commencement activities, visit the University's commencement web page.
If you have any problems making arrangements for meals or lodging,
please email or call Larry Goldbaum in the Office of Jewish Affairs at 413-545-9642.
We will do our best to assist you.
