<p>Just wondering, is it active? thanks</p>
<p>very much so. as is the Chabad.</p>
<p>Between Chabad and Hillel, which attracts Freshmen more? My sister has been accepted, and my only experience is at GWU, where Chabad is far away, although but nevertheless I like to go because their Shabbos are the best. I used to attend the Hillel events, but as a Jr, I am stating to branch out a little, although the initial experience was great. I met cool people whom I am still friends with, and I want the same for her at Bing. Thank you for your reply.</p>
<p>not a student, so I can’t answer that. As a community member it SEEMS that Chabad is more active, but I am not certain. both get lots of publicity in the local jewish paper.</p>
<p>the last couple of years, hillel has run a “freshfest” program where freshmen can move into their dorm room a day early in august and go on a hillel retreat – great way to meet other freshmen interested in hillel. if your sister ends up going to binghamton, she may want to keep an eye out for info for freshfest.</p>
<p>chabad is just off campus - not a bad walk. hillel is right on campus in the university union. they co-sponsor some events. some students are attracted to one more than the other, some students go to both. both have friday night dinners.</p>
<p>Are you Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox? If Reform, then you’ll want to be a Hillel person more than Chabad, but from your posts I gather you are more religious. Chabad hosts a ton of events (not that Hillel doesn’t, but Chabad is better at advertising). The Chabad Center is a five to twenty (depending on where on campus you are) walk- not bad at all. </p>
<p>If you are religious, go to Chabad. More people go there than to the Hillel services simply because Chabad attracts a more serious element for Shabbat (in the sense that more people are going for the full Friday night/Saturday services, rather than for free food).</p>
<p>I am Conservative, a little of both I guess, my dad Orthodox and my mom Reform, so I am comfortable pretty much anywhere! Thank you all for this great, cool insight, I will tell her!!</p>
<p>if your sister is interested, she will have a choice among reform or conservative shabbat services on campus (both every friday night, conservative also a couple of saturday mornings a month) or orthodox shabbat services at chabad every friday and saturday. the Jewish community at binghamton is large enough and varied enough that there is something for everyone (religious or not religious).</p>
<p>Thanks again for the information! I am sure that she will like to hear that!
Have a great year!</p>