S H E F A W e l l b e i n g
Hillel at Stanford's SHEFA initiative focuses on supporting student health and wellbeing through a wide array programming, resources, and fellowships.
SHEFA (Hebrew for abundance) stands for Spiritual resilience, Holistic health, Emotional wellbeing, Food security, and Abundance. We know that Stanford, while being an incredible University and experience, can also be stressful.
Hillel is here to help our students take care of themselves as whole people, outside of the academic and professional sphere.
Through SHEFA, we hope you find space to breathe, practice self-care, and learn how important wellbeing is through a Jewish lens.
The SHEFA Fellowship is an opportunity for students to get involved in health and wellbeing at Hillel by working with a cohort of fellows to plan programs and initiatives in these areas for their peers. Examples of SHEFA Fellow initiatives have included doggie de-stress during finals, study and spa night, student support day in main campus, and holiday-themed wellbeing programming. Applications open at the end of each quarter and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Hillel Student Support Fund
The Hillel Student Support Fund is a one-time financial support up to $250 for Hillel community members with an unexpected and/or burdensome expense related to health and wellbeing. Examples include: medical or mental health fees, transportation costs related to an urgent need, or certain other unforeseen expenses. To apply for student support funding, visit: https://forms.gle/CGNC6dncRiKokHqG8.
Wellbeing Shabbat
Once a quarter, the SHEFA fellows plan a wellbeing-themed Shabbat. Past themes have included mindfulness and meditation, mental health resources, and self-care activities and giveaways.
Discover a richer approach to wellness. In a culture that often reduces self-care to consumption, this course explores holistic wellbeing through Jewish wisdom, practical skills, and thoughtful engagement with the social, cultural, and identity factors that shape our lives. Whether you're looking for greater balance, resilience, or purpose, you'll gain tools that can enrich not only your own wellbeing, but also the broader Hillel community. Offered every Winter Quarter.
The Brief Therapy Center
The Hillel-Sponsored partnership with the Brief Therapy Center of Palo Alto is a targeted therapy program provided at no cost to Hillel-affiliated Stanford students. This program includes the ability to choose from a number of therapists for up to five sessions via telehealth. For more information on the Brief Therapy Center, visit: https://www.brieftherapycenter.org/en/. To make an appointment, visit: https://www.calendly.com/brief-therapy-center (you can select any therapist).
Yoga on the Farm
Join Hillel for weekly yoga sessions on the farm during fall and spring quarters. Sunday evenings, we practice yoga infused with Jewish content in the beautiful setting of the O’Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm.