Welcome to Jewish life at Bowdoin College. From weekly Shabbat gatherings to High Holy Day services, from scholarly talks to “latke v. hamantashen” debates, and from on-campus courses to study away opportunities, Jewish life at Bowdoin College is diverse and rich.
Bowdoin is committed to promoting a learning, living, and working environment in which Jewish members of our community—as with all members of our community—can thrive.
Bowdoin has students, staff, and faculty who are Jewish in all the dynamic and different meanings of the word.
A diverse range of programming is focused on ensuring that Jewish students from all backgrounds are embraced and supported in their journeys here at Bowdoin.
Hate, ignorance, and intolerance stand in the way of our goals of inclusion and service to the common good, and Bowdoin is committed to taking action against antisemitism in all forms.
The Bowdoin Jewish community is supported by a campus rabbi and a Jewish life advisor, Bowdoin College Hillel, and a host of area organizations and houses of worship providing students with opportunities to lead engaged Jewish lives and further explore Judaism.
On campus, Jewish religious holiday observances, communal gatherings, and Shabbat programs are supported through Jewish life programming coordinated by the Jewish life advisor, our campus rabbi, and student leaders.
These events are opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to gather in celebration and observance.
I was born and raised in Vermont and I’m thrilled to return to northern New England to serve as Bowdoin College’s Jewish life advisor. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in History from Smith College, Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and most recently my Rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City.
Before entering the rabbinate, I worked for fourteen years in the greater Boston area, first as an elementary school teacher and later as a social justice organizer. As a social justice organizer, I worked with a team to engage thousands of clergy and lay leaders in a campaign to win expanded access to quality, affordable healthcare for nearly half a million low income people in Massachusetts. I also organized a campaign to stop the devastating effects of home foreclosures in Lawrence and Lowell, Massachusetts.
As a Jewish life advisor, I support students in creating vibrant Jewish religious and cultural life here at Bowdoin. I serve students in helping to build community, work for justice, explore various aspects of Judaism and engage in spiritual and religious practices. I also serve as the advisor to Hillel. When I’m not at Bowdoin, you can find me jogging, biking, cooking or trying to catch a glimpse of a moose or two in Baxter State Park. I also love to drink coffee and look forward meeting you for coffee or tea or at one of our events!
Contact Rabbi Vinikoor: lvinikoo@bowdoin.edu
pronouns: they/them
I am a Jewish educator and ritualist, originally from New Jersey and now in Portland. I am the co-founder of the Portland Wandering Minyan, a ritual laboratory to explore all facets of Jewish spirituality and practice, including song circles, meditation, and learning, all of which I can't wait to share with this community. As a teacher, I'm excited to bring texts about mysticism, the future, spiritual audacity, and so much more.
I love the outdoors, especially foraging to feed my equal loves of cooking and baking, making art and music, as well as a really good cup of tea. I am thrilled to be at Bowdoin as a Jewish life advisor and I hope to meet you soon!
Contact Connor Dedrick: c.dedrick@bowdoin.edu
Bowdoin College Hillel, a student organization, aims to provide students with a Jewish home on campus by celebrating Jewish holidays, planning Jewish educational events, and offering a social hub.
The Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life provides support and guidance for students and groups around religious observance, religious pluralism, and spiritual practice.
The College often hosts visiting lecturers and artists, journalists and scholars, and film screenings that engage with Jewish living and learning.
Browse a few examples of the event posters below, and learn more about academic and learning opportunities at Bowdoin »
The College observes Jewish holidays and makes religious accommodations for Jewish students and students of other faiths. No student is required to take an examination or fulfill other scheduled course requirements on recognized religious holidays. Instructors are encouraged to avoid scheduling examinations on recognized major religious holidays.
Bowdoin publishes a three-year interfaith calendar that includes major Jewish holidays. While faculty are encouraged to design syllabi taking into account Jewish holidays and other religious observances, if situations arise, Bowdoin works with students and faculty to facilitate appropriate accommodations.
For additional information about accommodations and how to make a request, please visit this page.
