Penn State Resources for Jewish Students

Penn State Resources for Jewish Students

Whether you’re looking for kosher food, need to miss class for a holiday, or need to report something that happened to you, here’s where to go. If you’re ever in immediate danger, call 911.

Get Help Now (24/7)

  • Emergency: Call 911
  • Penn State Police: 814-863-1111
  • Penn State Crisis Line: 1-877-229-6400, or text “LIONS” to 741741. Open to all students, including if you’re worried about a friend.
  • Safe Walk (University Park): 814-865-WALK (9255)

Report Antisemitism, Bias, or Discrimination

  • Bias Response: Use this to report any bias incident you experience or witness, including antisemitism. Reports can be made by students, faculty, staff, and guests, and Bias Response connects you with support and the right office.
  • Penn State Hotline: 1-800-560-1637 (24 hours, reports can be anonymous)
  • Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA): Handles formal discrimination and harassment complaints under Penn State Policy AD91, which prohibits discrimination based on religion, creed, ancestry, and national origin. 328 Boucke Building | 814-863-0471 | [email protected]
  • Hillel is here for you too. If something happens, reach out to any Hillel staff member and we’ll help you figure out next steps.

Title IX: Sexual Misconduct and Gender-Based Harassment

Mental Health and Well-Being

Student Care and Advocacy

  • Student Care and Advocacy: If you’re dealing with something unexpected, like a family emergency, a hospitalization, academic trouble, or food or housing insecurity, a case manager can help you navigate the university. 222 Boucke Building | 814-863-2020 | [email protected]

Missing Class for Jewish Holidays

Penn State policy (R-4 and Senate Policy 42-27) says instructors should make reasonable accommodations, like excused absences, rescheduled exams, or deadline extensions, when classes conflict with religious observance.

  • Email your professors at the start of the semester with the holiday dates you’ll miss.
  • You’re still responsible for the work, so make a plan to complete it early or arrange a makeup.
  • Penn State’s Faith & Religious Observance Calendar lists major holidays. Instructors are encouraged to check it before scheduling exams.
  • Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development: 111 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Keeping Kosher at Penn State

NOSH Kosher Deli
Nosh is Penn State’s certified-kosher deli, located in Warnock Commons (North Food District). It is supervised daily by a certified Mashgiach. The menu includes specialty sandwiches, matzo ball soup, potato latkes, fresh-baked cookies, and chocolate rugelach.

  • Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM (closed Friday and Saturday)
  • Ordering: Mobile order only through Penn State Eats in the Penn State Go app
  • Payment: Meal plan, commuter meal plan, or LionCash+
  • Nosh is closed during the summer. Check LiveOn for current hours.

Grab-and-Go in Campus Markets
 Pre-packaged kosher salads and sandwiches are available at the convenience store in every dining commons:

  • Market East: Findlay Commons (East Halls)
  • Market North: Warnock Commons (North Halls)
  • Market Pollock: Pollock Commons (Pollock Halls)
  • Louie’s Market: Redifer Commons (South Halls)
  • Market West: Waring Commons (West Halls)

NOSH (North Food District, Warnock Commons)
Nosh is Penn State’s certified-kosher deli. It is supervised daily by a certified Mashgiach. The menu includes specialty sandwiches, matzo ball soup, potato latkes, fresh-baked cookies, and chocolate rugelach. is an allergen-friendly station that also serves kosher-friendly meat options.

  • Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM (closed Friday and Saturday)
  • Ordering: Mobile order only through Penn State Eats in the Penn State Go app
  • Payment: Meal plan, commuter meal plan, or LionCash+
  • Nosh is closed during the summer. Check LiveOn for current hours.

Off-Campus Groceries

  • Wegmans: 345 Colonnade Blvd., State College. Has a kosher meat selection at the butcher counter.
  • Trader Joe’s: 243 Patriot Lane, State College. Carries many kosher-certified packaged products. Look for the hechsher on the label.

Shabbat with Penn State Hillel

Every Friday night, join us for Shabbat dinner at the Gutterman Family Center, 180 S. Garner Street. Optional Reform & Conservative services begin at 6:00 PM and dinner begins at 7:00 PM. All Shabbat meals are free for students!

Holidays with Penn State Hillel

  • High Holidays: Hillel hosts kosher meals for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
  • Passover: Hillel hosts certified Kosher for Passover Seders and offers Kosher for Passover lunches during the week of the holiday. Nosh also offers a special Passover menu.
  • Host your own! Want to host a holiday meal or Shabbat for your friends? Check out JewPAC.