The religious and communal needs of Jewish students at Connecticut College are served by the director of the Zachs Hillel House and College Chaplain, and Connecticut College Hillel. A wide variety of religious, educational, cultural and social activities are available to Jewish students, including weekly Shabbat dinners, holiday observances, lectures, study sessions and meals, like the popular Bagel Brunches.
Rabbi Jessica Goldberg
Director of Zachs Hillel House and College Chaplain
Rabbi Jessica Goldberg is a graduate of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College (MA in Jewish Education, MA in Jewish Studies, certificate in Interreligious Leadership, and rabbinic ordination) and Brandeis University (BA in Psychology and Religious Studies). Rabbi Goldberg has experience in multifaith chaplaincy and conflict education and is passionate about Jewish text and pluralistic community building.
The Zachs Hillel House, which opened in 2014, serves as a center for Jewish student life and related intercultural programming at the College. The 6,700-square-foot building, made possible by a $1 million gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Henry Zachs and his family, features a conference room, library, study space, kosher kitchen and social space.
Academic programming
Several Connecticut College faculty, including religious studies professor Sharon Portnoff, have unique expertise in Judaic studies and offer courses in Judaic subjects. The minor in Jewish Studies brings together faculty from a variety of academic disciplines who work closely with students to study and analyze topics related to Jews and Judaism in a variety of social and political contexts. Additionally, various academic departments and College offices sponsor programs of interest to Jewish students and faculty.
Learn more
For further information about Jewish life at Connecticut College or to be put on the Jewish community and/or Hillel mailing lists, contact Rabbi Jessica Goldberg, Director of Zachs Hillel House, at jgoldber1@conncoll.edu. To learn more about the Hillel student organization, visit the Hillel Facebook page.
Local places of worship
Congregation Beth El (Conservative) Services are being held at different locations. Please check website or call to confirm. Business address: 27 Shaw Street, New London 860-442-0418
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