WHAT IS YAD B’YAD AT STANFORD?

Yad b’Yad means “hand in hand” in Hebrew. Yad b’Yad at Stanford is an alliance of Jewish and Israeli communities at Stanford University. Members include organizations such as Hillel and Chabad, as well as faculty, staff, student, alumni, and parent groups supporting Jewish and Israeli life and causes on campus. Academic programs and other University offices are not members of Yad b’Yad at Stanford; however, many faculty and Stanford staff are actively engaged with Yad b’Yad at Stanford.

WHEN AND WHY WAS YAD B’YAD AT STANFORD LAUNCHED?

Yad b’Yad at Stanford was launched in April 2025 by the Stanford Jewish Alumni Network (S-JAN).  Seizing on both the need and opportunity to bring together all Jewish and Israeli groups and voices at Stanford, S-JAN initiated outreach to build relationships, share information, and, where appropriate, collaborate on shared initiatives.

Yad b’Yad at Stanford was created after the University administration determined that it would not replace the Subcommittee on Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias.  As a consequence of that decision, there remained no entity whose purpose was to address the concerns and recommendations raised by both the Subcommittee’s Report as well as that of the 2022 Report of the  Advisory Task Force on the History of Jewish Admissions and Experience at Stanford.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF YAD B’YAD AT STANFORD?

To foster meaningful exchanges, connections and collaborations among Stanford’s Jewish and Israeli communities

FAQs

WHAT ARE ITS GOALS? Infused with Jewish values and employing best practices, Yad b’ Yad at Stanford member groups will engage in a range of activities.

Celebrating and Collaborating. Celebrate individual and group milestones and accomplishments together and identify to opportunities to collaborate on programming and events. Examples may include: Jewish and/or Israeli holidays such as Chanukah, Purim, Pesach, Yom Ha’atzmaut, etc.

Communicating. Taking into account the University’s actions, national and world events, as well as on-campus developments, the group may articulate and implement strategies to address student, staff, faculty, alumni and other community needs related to antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias. Information may be shared among Yad b’Yad at Stanford member groups and their constituents; between member groups and the University; and between member groups with Jewish and Israeli communities at other universities.

Connecting. Promote networking among leaders of member groups so that all participants may benefit from developing professional and/or personal relationships.

Learning and Listening. Learn from one another and from knowledgable experts about Stanford and about Jewish and Israeli matters relevant to members. Listen to members regarding matters or situations that may impact individuals in other member groups.

Problem Solving. Work together to identify issues of common concern among member groups, present options for resolution, and identify best courses of action.

Providing Service. Support member groups and allies on issues of concern.

Recruiting. Enhance efforts to recruit and encourage qualified members of Jewish and Israeli communities to apply to Stanford for undergraduate and graduate degrees, and choose to attend Stanford if admitted.

THANKS FOR ASKING…

Is there kosher food campus? Yes! Stanford has invested very significantly in kosher dining. Kosher meals are now served seven days a week, three meals a day. The University employs two mashgichim (religious experts in kosher laws), to enable daily coverage and ensure impeccable standards of kashrut. The kosher kitchen is adjacent to one of the main dining halls on campus, in the Florence Moore dormitory (a.k.a. FloMo), so that students who observe kashrut can eat their meals in the same location as other students. In addition, Stanford dining provides kosher meals at Hillel on Friday nights and for Shabbat lunch. Learn more here.

I am Shabbat observant and considering attending Stanford. Will I be able to get into my dorm without an electronic key card? Are there other accommodations I should know about? Yes! The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life works closely with Student Housing to ensure that students’ religious needs are met, including obtaining a manual key for any Shabbat-observant students who require it. But it is important that you make your need known when completing the University’s housing application form. The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life also collaborated with Stanford Libraries to allow Shabbat-observant Jews to gain access to the book stacks on Shabbat.

Is there an eruv on campus? Yes, the Palo Alto eruv includes all of Stanford campus. See the map here. For information about the eruv, call 650-796-4185.

What if I need to miss classes for Jewish holidays? Will the university support me? Yes! The important thing to know is that you must requrest a religious accommodation in advance of the holiday by sending an email to your professor.

Who can I contact about observance questions? You can reach Rabbi Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon, Associate Dean in the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life, at rabilana@stanford.edu.