FreshFest FAQ

What is FreshFest?
FreshFest is Maryland Hillel’s premier orientation program for new Jewish students at the University of Maryland. Taking place just before regular move-in begins in August, FreshFest offers the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow Jewish students, learn more about Hillel and Jewish Life on Campus, get acquainted with campus life, and explore local highlights.

When is FreshFest?
FreshFest will be Wednesday, August 26th to Friday, August 28th, 2026.

When is Move-In for FreshFest?

Official move-in begins Wednesday, August 26th in the morning, typically at 10:00 AM. In past years, students have successfully moved in as early as 8:00 AM. We’ll send out detailed instructions on parking, unloading, and logistics closer to the date — we don’t want anyone getting a ticket on move-in day!

How do I know if I signed up for FreshFest?
You’ll know you’re registered if:

1. You (the student) received a confirmation email, and
2. You see a charge from us on your bank account.

Reminder: The only official way to register is through the FreshFest page on our website.

How will I meet people at FreshFest?
FreshFest is designed to help you meet other Jewish freshmen and build meaningful connections right away. Students will be placed into Orientation Groups of about 15 peers, led by 1–2 upperclassmen mentors. In addition, you’ll be grouped with a mix of students for activities both on campus and in DC. With plenty of icebreakers and interactive programming, you’ll have many opportunities to get to know a wide range of students!

What does the schedule look like for FreshFest?

Some highlights of the schedule include orientation groups, engaging social programming (ex: Ice Cream Social), Jewish Life tracks that help you connect to the community, exciting activities in DC, and a large community Shabbat dinner!

I’m not religious / I’m very religious — is FreshFest (and Hillel) for me?
Absolutely. Hillel is a pluralistic community, welcoming Jewish students of every background and level of observance. Most of our programming is cultural — think sporting events, cooking classes, and service opportunities — but we also offer a wide range of religious options like Shabbat services, Jewish learning groups, and holiday celebrations. We like to say Hillel is a community of communities — you choose how to be involved.

My roommate isn’t doing FreshFest… should I still sign up?
Yes, you should! FreshFest is a personal choice and doesn’t require your roommate to participate. In fact, many students don’t have Jewish roommates — and FreshFest is a great way to build an additional friend group outside your residence hall. You’ll also have people to introduce your roommate to later!

Does FreshFest cost money?

Yes. Since FreshFest is a specialized, early move-in experience, there’s a fee to participate. It will be around $230. This includes your early move-in fee, so there is no need to pay anything extra to housing — we coordinate that directly. If the cost is a barrier, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to making sure finances do not prevent anyone from attending.

When can I sign up for FreshFest and what is the deadline to register?
FreshFest registration will be open early May. The final deadline to register will be mid-July. FreshFest registration is first come, first served. We recommend signing up early to guarantee your spot — space is limited!

I’m in an Honors or Living Learning Program (LLP). Can I still attend FreshFest?
Yes! We are coordinating with the University to avoid scheduling conflicts as much as possible.

Will there be food I can eat at FreshFest?
Yes! All food at Hillel is strictly kosher and provided by Varsity Kosher (Star-K), operating out of Hillel’s kitchen. The kitchen is nut- and sesame-free, and we are happy to accommodate additional dietary needs. For questions about allergies or kosher standards, feel free to reach out directly to our caterer at varsitykosher@gmail.com.

Where will I sleep during FreshFest?
In your dorm! Since FreshFest begins with early move-in, you’ll be sleeping in your assigned on-campus room. Don’t worry about the nights feeling too quiet — we’ve got late-night Hillel activities, and we’ll walk or drive you back when you’re ready to head in for the night.

Can my family participate in FreshFest?
Yes! Families are invited to select opening events on move-in day. These include a morning bagel brunch, afternoon info sessions, an optional kosher dinner, and an evening dessert reception featuring an update on antisemitism with our Executive Director, Ari Israel.
The evening programming is for parents only — students will be participating in their own events at that time.

I can’t attend FreshFest — can I still get involved with Hillel?
Definitely! While FreshFest itself is exclusive to participants, everyone is welcome at our first Shabbat dinner of the semester on Friday, August 28th. We can’t wait to meet you!

How do we get to D.C.?
We’ll be heading to Washington, D.C. together by bus. Depending on which activity you’re attending, we’ll also provide Metro passes for travel within the city. You’ll always be traveling in a group, so you won’t need to navigate anything on your own.

Is programming mandatory?
While attendance isn’t required, we highly encourage you to participate in as much of FreshFest as possible — it’s the best way to meet people and start feeling comfortable in our community. That said, we understand college is a choose-your-own-adventure. There’s no penalty for missing an event, but we don’t want you to miss out on everything we’ve planned!

• Days 1 and 2 are full of fun and meaningful programming.
• Days 3 and 4 are lighter, giving you time to explore other welcome events happening across campus.

Can I get a refund if I can no longer attend?
Yes. We offer full refunds through mid-July. After, we begin making individual purchases and preparations for each participant, so refunds will no longer be possible.