Shabbat Bereshit: A Ritual of Creation
4 p.m. | October 9 | The Kraft Center

Join the Grad Network community for an immersive art project inspired by the creation story (Bereshit). We will participate in the act of creation through art, ritual, and conversation. Following the art experience, attendees are welcome to join Megan for Kabbalat Shabbat Services at B'nai Jeshurun, a progressive and pluralistic synagogue on the UWS.

Reach out to Megan, The Grad Network Rabbinic Intern, with questions.

This experience is provided at no cost because of generous donations to The Columbia/Barnard Hillel Annual Fund.

Community Run for Coffee & Pastries
5 p.m. | October 13 | The Kraft Center —> Breads Bakery

Join The Grad Network community for a fun evening run. Our run begins 5 p.m. at The Kraft Center and ends at Breads Bakery, where we'll enjoy delicious pastries and warm beverages. This route is approximately 3 miles. We intend to stay as a group throughout the run and maintain a 9:30-10 min/mile pace. 

Students are welcome to drop off bags and other belongings at the Kraft Center prior to the run.  

Anyone is welcome to skip the run and meet up for treats at Breads Bakery. We expect to arrive at Breads Bakery around 5:30 p.m. 

Pre-Shabbat Flower Bouqet Making
3-5 p.m. | October 16 | The Kraft Center

Create a unique flower bouquet to help beautify our community Shabbat table or take it home with you to enjoy! 

Questions? Reach out to Sierra!

This experience is provided at no cost because of generous donations to The Columbia/Barnard Hillel Annual Fund.

The Grad Network Shabbat Dinner
7:30 p.m. | October 16 | The Kraft Center

End your week with the Jewish grad student community! Dinner will be served 7:30 p.m. at the Kraft Center, located at 606 West 115th Street.

This experience is generously subsidized by The Columbia/Barnard Hillel Annual Fund.

PhD Shabbat Dinner
7 p.m. | October 23 | The Kraft Center

Join us for a special Shabbat dinner just for PhD Students at Columbia and TC!

This Shabbat dinner is an opportunity for Jewish doctoral students to get to know each other. We’re excited about bringing PhD students together to foster connection among peers in similar phases of the PhD and provide a supportive community for those in earlier stages to lean on as they move through their doctoral journey.

This experience is generously subsidized by The Columbia/Barnard Hillel Annual Fund.

A Conversation with Jon Polin, Father of Hersh z”l
7 p.m. | November 4 | The Kraft Center

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s son, Hersh, was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023, after having his dominant forearm blown off. In the months that followed, the couple—dual American-Israeli citizens—became full-time hostage advocates, speaking worldwide about Hersh’s abduction and fighting for the release of all those who had been taken. Almost a year later, on day 330, the IDF announced that Hersh had been murdered by Hamas in a tunnel in Gaza, along with five other young people with whom he was being held. Despite the devastating loss of their son, Jon and Rachel remained tireless global advocates, continuing their efforts until the last hostage was recovered on January 26, 2026, Day 843.