Who is Hillel House for?
Birmingham Hillel House welcomes Jewish students who want to live with other Jewish students attending any of Birmingham’s universities. Primarily 1st year accommodation, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students are also welcome. In recent years international Jewish students who have come to Birmingham to study for one term/semester as part of the course in their country of origin have come to live at Hillel.
Do you have to be religious to live at Hillel House?
Birmingham Hillel welcomes Jewish students from across the Jewish community. Respect and tolerance for each other is required as is an expectation and understanding that residents will keep basic kashrut. As each room has its own kitchenette, this enables residents to easily maintain this.
Can I come and see Hillel House before I apply?
Of course - visits are welcomed but should be pre-arranged via email or telephone.
When should I apply?
You need to apply as soon as you know you want to live in Hillel. Rooms are allocated in date order of receipt of application forms and deposit.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
A deposit is required together with the application form to secure your place at Hillel. It is retained to cover any damage during your time at Hillel and returned in full at the end of the academic year, unless there are deductions to be made.
Bank details:-
Account Name: Birmingham Hillel House Sort Code: 40-11-04 Account Number: 60166472
(From overseas: IBAN: GB05HBUK40110460166472. BIC: HBUKGB4102J)
What happens if I don’t come to Birmingham?
Providing you let us know by 24th August that you no longer are coming to university in Birmingham, your deposit will be refunded. We do not refund deposits if you decide to live elsewhere in Birmingham.
How is paying the fees organised?
We recognise that students need flexibility when paying accommodation fees. There are several payment options available from paying the whole year in advance to paying termly or monthly via bank transfer or direct debit.
Is there anyone responsible on-site?
There are two student wardens appointed each year who liaise with the management and do their best to provide support and information to new residents. A management/residents Whatsapp group is created at the beginning of each academic year so that information can be easily shared.
What happens if Hillel equipment breaks or something structural happens in my room?
The management has an excellent team of people who come promptly to deal with such situations.
Does Hillel have cleaners?
Residents are responsible for cleaning their own rooms but there are cleaners who clean the communal rooms, the shared bathrooms and toilets, the corridors and stairs.
Does Hillel have a TV?
Yes there is a large TV with Sky Sports and other channels in the main house lounge.
Can I watch TV in my room?
You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.
If you do any of the above without a valid licence, you risk prosecution and a maximum penalty of up to £1,000, plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay. You will also still have to buy a TV Licence if you need one.For up-to-date cost information and details on the many ways you can pay, visit the TV Licensing website www.tvlicensing.co.uk/info.
Do I need to register with a doctor whilst I am in Birmingham?
Yes- we recommend that you do and there is a medical and dental practice 5 minutes walk from Hillel House.
What support is available for Jewish students?
The University Jewish Chaplaincy West Midlands is represented on the Hillel House management by Rabbi Fishel Cohen, who is responsible for religious and pastoral support to Jewish students at all the Universities in the area – including those in Birmingham, Warwick, Wolverhampton and Coventry. Supported by his wife Esther, thousands of students have come into contact with the Cohens and benefited from their support and warm hospitality including Esther’s chocolate cake. Whether you need help sorting issues with your university or want to discuss all things Jewish or football, get in touch with Fishel now! His main responsibilities include: Student Welfare, Practical Support, Educational Resource and Spiritual Guidance.
Telephone: 07771 653717 E-mail: fishelcohen@gmail.com. For further information: http://www.mychaplaincy.co.uk/.
There are two other organisations which also offer support and friendship to Jewish students:-
1) Aish, which caters for all Jewish students via good food, good friends and great learning. "Enjoy your student days and come over to meet friends, learn about Jewish life and take a break whenever you want to in an atmosphere of mutual respect and open enquiry."
Telephone: 07778 825848. For further information: http://www.aish.org.uk.
2) Chabad on Campus. Rabbi Yossi and Rivki Cheruff and their children, moved from New York to open up the 14th Chabad Campus Centre in the UK. Chabad House is located in Selly Park and is a warm and friendly place where many Jewish students feel comfortable to go.
Telephone/WhatApp: +44 (0)7805367672 E-mail: rabbicheruff@gmail.com. For further information: birminghamchabad.com and Facebook.com/birminghamchabad Follow us on Instagram @brumchabad.
No answer to your question? Please ask us.