Student Organizations
The following list includes official clubs and informal groups. Some are religious in focus; others include religious and spiritual events in their overall programming. Groups are open to all students, regardless of background or religious identity, and often include members from a range of religious backgrounds who are interested in learning more about specific traditions. Current students: Check SkidSync for updates and more information about specific clubs. Prospective students: Contact our office or fill out our interest form if you would like to get in touch with student leaders from these groups.
Challah for Hunger
Bake challah bread, sell challah bread, raise money and awareness to fight food insecurity and hunger! Grounded in the rich Jewish traditions around challah and tikkun olam, this club is made up of students of different religious traditions and backgrounds who are all interested in addressing food insecurity. No baking experience required! Find C4H on SkidSync or contact the Jewish Student Life Coordinator, Martina Zobel, for more information.
Christian Fellowship
Skidmore Christian Fellowship (CF) is a member chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. CF meets weekly in large group (Ignite, on Fridays) and small group gatherings and
plans larger events, holiday celebrations, service projects, and retreats on and off
campus. Current students: Find CF on SkidSync or contact the ORSL for more information.
Hayat
Hayat is a South Asian cultural club that includes religious and cultural celebrations
and observances in its programming. Hayat explores and and raises awareness about
the diverse and common cultures, social trends, traditions, and politics of South
Asia. The club also hosts events at religious and cultural festivals (for e.g. Diwali,
Eid, Holi, Garba, etc) and collaborates with the Office of Religious and Spiritual
Life and other clubs to host events and provide spaces for exploring and learning
about a wide range of cultural identities and practices. Find out more about Hayat
on SkidSync or by contacting the ORSL or Office of Student Diversity Programs.
Hillel
Skidmore Hillel provides a community for Jewish students and serves as a resource
for those interested in Jewish culture and religion. All are welcome. Hillel hosts
weekly Shabbat services and dinners and provides opportunities to participate in Jewish
holiday observances. Skidmore Hillel works to create an open, accessible and vibrant
community. They host social, educational and Tikkun Olam (social action) events throughout
the semester and work closely with the Coordinator of Jewish Student Life and other
offices on campus to enrich Jewish life and interfaith engagement for the whole community.
Current students: find Skidmore Hillel on SkidSync. You can also follow Hillel on Facebook, Instagram, and contact the ORSL Jewish Student Life Coordinator for more information.
Mindful Movement Club
Mindful Movement Club is on "pause" as of 2021. Current students: Interested in getting it going again or participating in similar programming and events?
Contact our office . Mindful Movement is an all-inclusive meditative movement club. Through regular classes
and special workshops students explore a variety of movement-based practices including
improvisational, yoga, and meditative movement.
Muslim Students Association
The Skidmore MSA is one of our newest clubs working with the ORSL. The MSA, often
in partnership with other clubs and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, builds
community for Muslim students and raises awareness about Islam on campus while collaborating
in interfaith and cross-cultural programming as well. Programming includes social
gatherings, educational events (Islamic trivia, anyone?), prayer gatherings including
student-led Jummah, trips to mosques, Ramadan gatherings and support, Eid and other
holiday celebrations, and community service projects. Current students: find the MSA
on SkidSync. More information: ORSL .
Newman Club
The Newman Club provides means for the spiritual, intellectual and social development
of Catholic students (and those interested in Catholicism) at Skidmore. Newman Club
students help coordinated attendance at Mass off campus each week and help to plan
on-campus Mass (hopefully a few times each semester). The club also gathers regularly
on campus with past events including social outings (skating!), rosary walks through
the North Woods, Bible Study, invited speakers, Advent Wreath making, Ash Wednesday
observances, and more. Current students: find Newman Club on SkidSync. Contact the ORSL for more information.
Quaker Students
(Note: We hope to bring the opportunity back in Fall 2021. Contact the ORSL if you
are interested!) A group of students has gathered with members of local Quaker meetings every other week at Wilson Chapel for social
time and worship. The group is open to Quaker students as well as those interested
in learning more about the tradition. Contact the ORSL for more information.
What about other traditions?
Don't see your tradition listed here? Looking for something not offered by these clubs?
Some students choose to start their own clubs or informal gatherings focusing on specific
traditions or topics. Talk to the ORSL, and we can help you get started, join with
groups already in progress, and connect with advisors on and off campus. Gatherings hosted by the ORSL and its partners beyond these clubs include: Interfaith
Cafe, the Mindfulness Program (meditation, sound healing, yoga, and more), Jewish
Student Life programming (like the weekly Tea/Text/Torah discussions), weekly Zen
meditation gatherings and more!
