Jewish Life at ChathamU

“Chatham University prepares its students to build lives of purpose, value, and fulfilling work. Through professional skill development and liberal arts learning, Chatham prepares its graduates to be informed and engaged citizens in their communities; to recognize and respect diversity of culture, identity, and opinion; and to live sustainably.”

These words from our mission statement point to the essence of the Jewish experience at Chatham. From our inception based on equality of access, Chatham has been inspired to promote diversity and inclusion among our community members. We are committed to feeding the intellectual curiosity, promoting the spiritual development, and celebrating the vibrant culture of Jewish students on campus through both curricular and co-curricular programs and services.

Photo of a long line of Chatham University community members marching with signs reading Âé¶¹ÒùÔº Stronger Than Hate

Jewish Studies Minor

Along with challenging academics in over 40 majors in health, sustainability, and the arts and sciences, Chatham offers over 45 minors, including those in Jewish Studies and in Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies. Courses include History of Judaism, the Holocaust, and Jewish Pittsburgh, among others.

Explore Academics : Checkerboard 1 - Jewish Studies Minor
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Squirrel Hill

Âé¶¹ÒùÔº on the border of Pittsburgh’s Jewish neighborhood, Squirrel Hill. Squirrel Hill features synagogues, day schools, various Jewish organizations such as the Jewish Community Center, kosher restaurants, a kosher grocery store, and plenty of other businesses.

Photo of activities fair on Chatham University's Shadyside Campus, showing the Chabad House table

Chabad House at Chatham

Chabad House provides an array of programs and services to educate, inspire, and uplift Jewish students from all walks of life with unconditional love and acceptance, offering a variety of social and learning opportunities.

Hillel Jewish University Center

The Hillel Jewish University Center (JUC) provides Jewish opportunities for students throughout Pittsburgh. With social, educational, political and social justice programming, the JUC provides students with a holistic college experience including a home away from home and extensive leadership training and opportunities

Photo of a group of Jewish students posing with Israel, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of Pittsburgh flags while on Birthright

Birthright Israel

Chatham students participate in Birthright Israel through a partnership with Hillel JUC in Pittsburgh, expanding their knowledge about culture and religion while building lasting friendships.

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Community Partnerships

Chatham partners with local Jewish organizations including the on programming and internships to provide opportunities for students to gain valuable knowledge and experience. 

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Events

Chatham holds a multitude of events around Jewish identity and culture, including an intersectional Shabbat dinner and conversations and lectures with individuals including Magda Brown, Holocaust survivor, and Bari Weiss, author of “How to Fight Anti-Semitism”.

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Chatham Worldview Network

This community of faith-based campus liaisons helps connect students with religious and spiritual resources in the greater Pittsburgh area. Members of this network attend Chatham's involvement fair each semester and often meet with students on campus for spiritual support.

Download the Brochure (PDF) : Checkerboard 8 - Chatham Worldview Network

Jewish Life at ChathamU

Portrait of Leah Berman

In 2019, Leah Berman-Kress ’22 (marketing and communications) founded Chatham’s Jewish Student Association (JSA). 

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Chatham borders on the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill—the city's primary Jewish hub with over 20 synagogues.

JSA

Follow to stay updated on Shabbat dinners, campus events, and more.

2,200

There are over two thousand Jewish university students in Pittsburgh.

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The  provides educational public programming for audiences of all ages, reaching more than 10,000 students, adults, and educators per year across the region.

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Thanks to , a comic book series developed by the , readers can reimagine Holocaust survivors and resistance fighters as the superheroes they were and are.

Photo of Chatham University community member gathering after the tragedy at Tree of Life Synagogue

Chatham Holds Interfaith Service and Vigil for Tree of Life

On Thursday, November 1, 2018, hundreds of members of the Chatham community gathered at Chatham’s pond for an Interfaith Service and Vigil to commemorate the lives lost in the Tree of Life Synagogue shootings, and to recognize Chatham’s enduring ties and friendship with the Jewish community.