First Year Students of Hillel (FYSH) is a student-run initiative that empowers our first years to create a Jewish community on the Ingram Commons through social, religious, and academic programming, all while building relationships with those involved in Hillel and honing important leadership skills.

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First year students can apply to join the FYSH Board in September, which meets once weekly on the Commons campus for Jewish learning, leadership development, and fun trips around Nashville. Our Big FYSH/Little FYSH program gives our first years a hand-selected 1-on-1 upperclassman mentor. Big FYSH are their Little FYSH's go-to during their first year and beyond, and are there to help even before the fall semester begins with any questions the first year may have about school, social life, and Jewish life on campus.

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We also have a free pre-orientation program, FYSH Fest! Join us the Thursday and Friday in advance of first year move in for programming both on and off campus aimed at creating a network of Jewish friends for our incoming class, familiarizing new students with Vanderbilt's campus, and exploring fun spots around Nashville before the rest of their class has even arrived. Past program highlights include personalized campus tours, a private tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame, an axe throwing event, parent and student panels where our upperclassmen answer all the questions they won't cover on your university campus tour, amazing food, and more! More information about the 2024 FYSH programming will be available soon!

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Want to get involved now? reach out to Carly Payne here.