About Melton Center

Jewish Life at Ohio State

The best available estimates suggest that there are between 2,500 and 5,000 Jewish students at Ohio State. Many wonderful opportunities are available to those who wish to participate in Jewish life in the campus area. Even more can be found in the larger Columbus Jewish community, about which you can read in the previous section.

We boast one of the country's best known and most loved Hillel organizations. The state-of-the-art Hillel Wexner Jewish Student Center is directly next to campus and features a full kosher eating facility, Shabbat services, workout facilities, meeting rooms, a full-time rabbi, numerous clubs and groups, social action opportunities, and exciting activities throughout the school year. Hillel also affords a venue for musical performances by student groups, from rock bands to our choral group, Meshuganotes. Ohio State’s Hillel is often viewed as a model for those at other universities to emulate. Find out more about Hillel through their Web portal www.osuhillel.org.

Ohio State has a full range of Greek life for Jewish students as well. The traditionally Jewish fraternities are Alpha Epsilon Pi, Zeta Beta Tau, and Sigma Alpha Mu. The traditionally Jewish sorority is Alpha Epsilon Phi. These organizations provide another avenue of social life for Jewish students, with an emphasis on social activities and benevolent projects in the community.

Students interested in experiencing observant Jewish life also enjoy the hospitality of the Schottenstein Chabad House and Jewish Student Center near campus, with its vibrant leaders, Rabbi Zalman and Sarah Deitsch. The Deitsch family lives next to campus and they are always available for study, Shabbat and holiday meals, services, social events, counseling, and Israel action activities. Students love to visit Zalman at his kosher hot-dog stand on High Street and to stay up late for the fun at the Chabad House on Friday nights. Find out more about Chabad at www.osuchabad.com/home.php.

Students who wish to keep kosher can now opt for a kosher meal plan, organized through Hillel. Meals are arranged at Hillel's Bagel Café, which is under the supervision of the Kosher Va’ad of Columbus.