San Fernando Valley Campus Life
Since the majority of Jewish students at CSUN, Los Angeles Valley College, and Pierce College live at home and commute to campus for class, OU-JLIC offers Torah study and innovative social activities for the students both on campus and at home in the Jewish community. The Borensteins are true role models for Jewish students of all backgrounds, and students appreciate their analytical approach to Judaism and their advice on issues both personal and religious. Most on campus programming takes place at CSUN.
California State University at Northridge
Through holiday programs, monthly shabbat dinners, weekly torah classes, social justice activities and other religious experiences, Hillel 818 strives to give students a broad range of opportunities to learn about their Jewish heritage, establish relationships with other students and to create ways to involve themselves in Jewish life. Torah at CSUN includes mishmar, many shiurim, Lunch and Learns, Q&A sessions, and chevrutah study with Rabbi Bryan and Sondra. OU-JLIC offers game nights, challah bakes, ladies Rosh Chodesh events and other social programming. Chabad works to have weekly Friday night and Shabbat morning services, there is a Young Israel walking distance from campus.
Shabbat in the Valley
OU-JLIC’s Shabbat programing takes place off-campus in Encino/Tarzana or sometimes in other cities throughout the greater L.A. area. The Borensteins host students for Shabbat and chagim meals and give a shiur Shabbat afternoon before Mincha, followed by seudah shelishit and Maariv. Sometimes there is a froyo melaveh malkah to start off the week with something sweet, an opportunity to socialize, and to fulfill the mitzvah of havdalah for students that are in need. There are occasional OU-JLIC shabbatonim across various Southern California locations, with minyanim, meals, an oneg, and other activities.
Kosher On Campus in the Valley
At CSUN, there are pre-packaged kosher meals on campus, local grocery stores have an abundance of kosher foods, and Brami’s Kosher Pizza is located a short distance from campus. Also, Hillel and Chabad regularly provide kosher food to students on campus each week. L.A. Valley College is located in the heart of the largest Orthodox Jewish community in the Valley. There are many kosher restaurants, kosher butchers and kosher bakeries. There are a multitude of kosher markets, which house endless kosher products and hot food daily. Pierce College is a short drive from kosher restaurants, a kosher supermarket and a kosher bakery.