“Chatham University prepares its students to build lives of purpose, value, and fulfilling work. Through professional skill development and liberal arts learning, Chatham prepares its graduates to be informed and engaged citizens in their communities; to recognize and respect diversity of culture, identity, and opinion; and to live sustainably.”
These words from our mission statement point to the essence of the Jewish experience at Chatham. From our inception based on equality of access, Chatham has been inspired to promote diversity and inclusion among our community members. We are committed to feeding the intellectual curiosity, promoting the spiritual development, and celebrating the vibrant culture of Jewish students on campus through both curricular and co-curricular programs and services.
Along with challenging academics in over 40 majors in health, sustainability, and the arts and sciences, Chatham offers over 45 minors, including those in Jewish Studies and in Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies. Courses include History of Judaism, the Holocaust, and Jewish Pittsburgh, among others.
Explore Academics : Checkerboard 1 - Jewish Studies Minor
Chatham is on the border of Pittsburgh’s Jewish neighborhood, Squirrel Hill. Squirrel Hill features synagogues, day schools, various Jewish organizations such as the Jewish Community Center, kosher restaurants, a kosher grocery store, and plenty of other businesses.
Chabad House provides an array of programs and services to educate, inspire, and uplift Jewish students from all walks of life with unconditional love and acceptance, offering a variety of social and learning opportunities.
Learn About Chabad House : Checkerboard 3 - Chabad House at ChathamThe Hillel Jewish University Center (JUC) provides Jewish opportunities for students throughout Pittsburgh. With social, educational, political and social justice programming, the JUC provides students with a holistic college experience including a home away from home and extensive leadership training and opportunities
Learn About Hillel JUC : Checkerboard 4 - Hillel Jewish University Center
Chatham students participate in Birthright Israel through a partnership with Hillel JUC in Pittsburgh, expanding their knowledge about culture and religion while building lasting friendships.
Explore Birthright Israel : Checkerboard 5 - Birthright Israel
Chatham partners with local Jewish organizations including the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh on programming and internships to provide opportunities for students to gain valuable knowledge and experience.
Chatham holds a multitude of events around Jewish identity and culture, including an intersectional Shabbat dinner and conversations and lectures with individuals including Magda Brown, Holocaust survivor, and Bari Weiss, author of “How to Fight Anti-Semitism”.
View Events : Checkerboard 7 - Events
This community of faith-based campus liaisons helps connect students with religious and spiritual resources in the greater Pittsburgh area. Members of this network attend Chatham's involvement fair each semester and often meet with students on campus for spiritual support.
Download the Brochure (PDF) : Checkerboard 8 - Chatham Worldview Network
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers to all of your questions about Jewish life at Chatham University.
View FAQ : Checkerboard 9 - Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question you don’t see answered here? Feel free to get in touch by emailing us at chathamadmissions@chatham.edu.
In 2019, Leah Berman-Kress ’22 (marketing and communications) founded Chatham’s Jewish Student Association (JSA).
Chatham borders on the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill—the city's primary Jewish hub with over 20 synagogues.
Follow Chatham's Jewish Student Association on Instagram to stay updated on Shabbat dinners, campus events, and more.
There are over two thousand Jewish university students in Pittsburgh.
The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh provides educational public programming for audiences of all ages, reaching more than 10,000 students, adults, and educators per year across the region.
Thanks to CHUTZ-POW!, a comic book series developed by the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, readers can reimagine Holocaust survivors and resistance fighters as the superheroes they were and are.
