Serving campuses across British Columbia, Hillel BC promotes Jewish life on campus and beyond, providing a warm, welcoming environment where British Columbia students are able to grow religiously, culturally, socially, and ethically. Whether it’s a monthly Shabbat dinner, our Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF), our holiday programming, weekly kosher Hot Lunch, or Lunch and Learn, Hillel BC has something for everyone.
About Hillel BC
About the Jewish faith
Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world. Much of its basis deals with engaging with the text of the Written Torah (the Torah, Prophets and Writings) and the Oral Torah, a rich tradition of laws, stories, and logic.
Another important aspect of Judaism is the “covenantal” relationship between God and the Children of Israel (later to be known as Jews) that is found in the Hebrew Bible. Judaism believes that that “covenant” is still very much in effect today.
As a religion, one of the most important aspects of Judaism is its theology that understands the Creator (God) as a single entity that has no human, animal, or physical aspects. In a word, God within Judaism is “unseen” physically but manifests as a presence in numerous ways through interaction with people and the world.
Although Judaism is for many, primarily a religion, it is also seen by many others as a culture, an ethnicity, and/or a peoplehood, in which elements of language (Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, Aramaic, and others), land (Israel as the foundational land of Judaism as well as a modern State), music, art, food, and literature also play a very important part.
Judaism can be seen also as a way of life that includes philosophy, psychology, diet, and perhaps most importantly our behavior towards one another.
Birthright Israel
If you’re a Jewish young adult between the ages of 18 and 32, you have the opportunity to visit Israel on a free educational trip. Check out Birthright Israel for more details and to find out if you are eligible.
Community organizations
About Rabbi Kylynn Cohen
Rabbi Kylynn Cohen is Hillel BC’s part-time Senior Jewish Educator. She hails from Michigan and claims Temple Beth Sholom as her home congregation. She spent undergrad studying languages at Northern Michigan University where she was active in a small and mighty Soref Initiative Hillel. Before attending Hebrew Union College (HUC), she lived in Chicago studying Talmud and Hebrew with Svara.
She has served at Kodesh V'Hol in Holon, Israel; United Hebrew Congregation in Terre Haute, Indiana; Temple Sholom in Blue Ash, Ohio; B’ShERT in Brooklyn, New York; The New Jewish Home’s Sarah Neuman campus, and virtually at Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis, Missouri. She is excited to be out west and the new adventure in Vancouver, where free time will be spent doing jigsaw puzzles and going on new and exciting Pacific Northwest walks with her wife Cantor Shani Cohen.
You can reach Rabbi Kylynn Cohen by emailing kylynn@hillelbc.com or calling 604 224 4748.
I searched a long time for a way to fulfill my spiritual needs. Judaism for me offers everything: history, community, questioning, answering, ritual, nature. I think that Judaism continues to be one of the best ‘toolboxes’ for navigating life.
Kylynn cohen, rabbi - jewish chaplain
