Events & Programs

The Smith years are ones of growth and change. The time you spend here as a student allows for new experiences, new directions, new challenges, and often, questioning. We offer weekly programming and other religious and spiritual events to foster learning and dialogue. These programs may combine reflection, discussion, prayer and self-discovery, giving students encouragement for a lifetime of spiritual development. If you have an idea for a program, please contact Maureen Raucher or Kim Alston.

Religious & Spiritual Events on Campus

Observing Holidays

It can be both a joy and a challenge to take the time to observe your religious holidays during college. The Center for Religious & Spiritual Life offers on-campus programming for several religious holidays, and we can help you find services in the community for other holidays. College policy states that any student who is unable to attend classes, exams or work due to a religious observance will be excused and given an opportunity to make it up. This information can be found under the Religious Expression section in Campus Life on the Course Catalog.

Local Congregations & Places of Worship

Local congregations are very welcoming to students, and offer worship and other programs that are open to the public. See our list of local congregations and places of worship.

Weekly Programming Fall 2024

Mindful Mondays

Mondays 12:15-1 p.m., Campus Center 205

If you are looking for a place to make connections and practice self-awareness, come check out our drop-in Mindful Mondays program, every Monday in-person in Campus Center Room 205, 12:15–1 p.m. We serve a hot, simple vegetarian meal, and practice mindfulness with light meditation, embodiment practice, and discussion. Absolutely zero experience is necessary, and all students are welcome. Email aostow@smith.edu with questions.

Jummah Prayer

Fridays 12:30-2:30 p.m., Off Campus

Join us for Jummah at the Hampshire Mosque in Hadley. Meet in front of the Helen Hills Hills Chapel at 12:25 pm. Van will leave by 12:30 pm and return to campus no later than 2:30 pm. Bring a prayer rug and complete your ablution beforehand. We have extra prayer rugs if you need one! To RSVP, email crsl@smith.edu. If you are interested in attending a mosque of other various traditions, contact Kim Alston, Muslim Student Adviser at kalston@smith.edu.

Soup, Salad, & Soul

Fridays 12:10-1 p.m., Bodman Lounge

Come get cozy and enjoy a hot, delicious vegetarian soup made by awesome student cooks while taking part in reflective, student-led discussions on spirituality and life! Students of all religious, spiritual, and nonreligious/nonspiritual backgrounds are welcome. Limited to Smith OneCard holders. For details on food and other general accessibility questions, email aostow@smith.edu or mcantwel@smith.edu

SCJC Shabbat

Fridays 5:30 p.m., Kosher Kitchen, Jordan House

Celebrate Shabbat with Smith College’s Jewish Community every Friday evening. Please email scjc@smith.edu for more information. All students are welcome.

Catholic Mass

Sundays at 3 p.m., Sanctuary

With Smith College Newman Catholic Club and Fr. Valentine Nworah. Members of the Smith community and Five College students are welcome! Contact crsl@smith.edu for mass details.

Special Programming

Al Nur Spiritual Gatherings

Thursday, September 26, October 24, November 21, 2024

Bodman Lounge

All are welcome to the Al Nur Spiritual Gatherings! "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth...Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light." - Al Nur 35
To RSVP, email kalston@smith.edu.

Generating Justice and Joy

Thursday, October 17, November 14, 2024

The Generating Justice and Joy (GJJ) series brings together the campus community to respond to disruptive events -- globally, socially or politically -- through community gatherings, which involve ritual, collaboration, and mutual support.

Erev Rosh Hashanah Services

Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 6:00 - 7:15 p.m., Chapel

All are welcome to celebrate the Jewish New Year at Rosh Hashanah Evening Services. Services will be led by Smith’s Jewish Student Advisor, Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer, Rabbinic Intern Abby Allen ‘19, Lux Onigman, and other Smith students. Services at Smith are campus-style (more informal than most synagogues, dress up or down, arrive late or leave early) and a combination of Conservative, Reform, and creative practice. Students from most traditions, and even students with no background, will find them welcoming and comfortable. Followed immediately by a Kosher dinner (RSVP for dinner at https://forms.gle/5JwtCdr7swT4AYdZ9)

Rosh Hashanah Dinner

Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 7:30 p.m., Chapel

Smith College Jewish Community and Center for Religious and Spiritual Life invite you to a festive Kosher dinner to celebrate the Jewish New Year. All are welcome to the meal cooked by Kosher Dining but reservations are required. Join us for sweet challah, apples and honey, salmon, and more. Dinner will begin at approximately 7:30pm following the conclusion of Rosh Hashanah Services. Come just for dinner or come at 6pm for services and stay for dinner. RSVP: https://forms.gle/5JwtCdr7swT4AYdZ9

Rosh Hashanah Morning Services

Thursday, October 3, 2024, 9:30 a.m., Chapel

All are welcome to celebrate the Jewish New Year at Rosh Hashanah Morning Services. Services will be led by Smith’s Jewish Student Advisor, Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer, Rabbinic Intern Abby Allen ‘19, Lux Onigman, and other Smith students. Services at Smith are campus-style (more informal than most synagogues, dress up or down, arrive late or leave early) and a combination of Conservative, Reform, and creative practice. Students from most traditions, and even students with no background, will find them welcoming and comfortable. Shofar will be sounded after 11:30am. Followed immediately by a Kosher lunch.

Rosh Hashanah Lunch

Thursday, October 3, 2024, approximately 12:45 p.m.

Join us for a light Kosher lunch following morning services. RSVP required https://forms.gle/5JwtCdr7swT4AYdZ9

Second Day at Ohel Minyan

Friday, October 4, 2024, Time Varies

Join students from SCJC and Rabbi Bruce at the Ohel Minyan (traditional egalitarian) services. Contact scjc@smith.edu to arrange to go with students.

RSVP here https://www.ohelminyan.org/high-holidays-20245785

Reflection and Tashlich with CRSL Rabbinic Intern Abby Allen

Friday, October 4, 2024, 4:00 -5:15 p.m.

A theme of the Jewish New Year is reflection on the past year to open ourselves to the new year to come. CRSL Rabbinic Intern Abby Allen, Smith College '19, will lead a reflective writing exercise followed by tashlich, the ritual of casting off the burdens of the previous year. We will meet by the boat house at 4pm and walk together to the Mill River at 4:10pm. (The walk along the Mill River is not fully accessible.)

Learning to Meditate: Practices from Tibetan Buddhist Tradition

Wednesday, October 9 & 23, 2024, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Bodman Lounge, Helen Hills Hills Chapel

Sponsored by the Center for Religious Life and hosted by Smith College Community Spiritual Partner Geshe Ngawang Singey. These twice monthly interactive sessions will include instruction on and practice of breathing meditation, concentration meditation, blessing meditation, and tong-len (exchange of self and other), concluding Q&A with light refreshments. All are welcome!