Welcome to Jewish Life at Cornell!
Start your college career off right by spending an overnight with 60 other incoming students in the beautiful Ithaca outdoors! Spend the day at the Hoffman Challenge course, schmooze with your fellow students and get to know the upperclassmen and Hillel staff. Enjoy both the low and high ropes courses, team building activities, stargazing, a bonfire, s'mores, and camp out in a yurt. Kosher food will be provided! You'll find out the many opportunities to get involved with Jewish life at Cornell.
The program runs from 1:30 pm on Sunday, August 16th to 10:00 am on Monday, August 17th. Specific details including the itinerary, meeting location, packing list, etc will be emailed the week of August 10th.
Students who participate in First-Year Fest will be able to move in early on Saturday, August 15th. For those that are Shomer Shabbat, they will be able to move in on the previous Thursday or Friday. A community Shabbat dinner for all students who are back on campus will be held on Friday, August 14th. The latest a student can move in is the morning of Sunday, August 16th.
The total cost of the event amount for First-Year Fest is $360.
Wondering how early move-in works? Grinspoon Hillel will request early arrival for you. You will then receive a confirmation email from Cornell Residential Life.
Hurry! The deadline to sign up is July 19, 2026.
By filling out this form, you are acknowledging that you will be staying overnight at the Hoffman Challenge Course with Grinspoon Hillel.
Questions? Email: cuhillel@gmail.com
** We don’t want cost to be a barrier—it's important to us that any Jewish student who wants to participate is able to. If cost is a concern, scholarships are available. Please reach out to Grinspoon Hillel at cuhillel@gmail.com to inquire.
