Commencement 2009
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 22-23, 2009.
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 8, 2009 (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 8, 2009.
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 and Services at HILLEL
Both HILLEL and CHABAD will provide kosher meals on Friday evening and Saturday. Arrangements for these meals must be made in advance, directly with Hillel or Chabad.
The schedule for minyans and meals at HILLEL is as follows:
Erev Shabbat...
6:45pm Candle-lighting followed by Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner
Shabbat day...
8:00am Shacharit services
10:00am Lunch
Dinner on Friday, May 22 ... $15 per person
Lunch on Saturday, May 23 ... $10 per person
Online registration for commencement meals at Hillel
(Sign up for meals before May 15th)
For additional information about meals or services at HILLEL,
email Rabbi David Ruderman or call (413) 549-1710 ext 209
Kosher Meals and Services at CHABAD
For information about meals and religious services at CHABAD,
email Rabbi Chaim Adelman or call (413) 549-2008
For More Information
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.
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