FreshFest is an early move in orientation program designed for first-year students at the University of Pittsburgh.

FreshFest will take place on Thursday, August 15th and Friday, August 16th 2024. Your $250 payment covers all meals, transportation, and activities for these two days, including Friday night Shabbat dinner! There will be optional programming on the 17th and 18th of August. Students will be able to move in on Thursday, August 15th before programming begins.

Pre-Registration opens Friday, May 31st, 2024. Pre-registering will reserve your spot in the program!

Registration will open Monday, July 1st, 2024 and close Monday, August 5th, 2024. You can sign up here beginning on July 1st!

Parents: Please direct any inquiries to Jennifer Poller, Director of Development [email protected] or Lori Moorhead, Development Associate, [email protected].

First Year Students: Please direct any inquiries to Emily Smulewitz, Springboard Innovation Fellow [email protected] or Emily Levine, Director of Engagement [email protected].

Thursday, August 15th

11:00am-4:00pm: Move in any time during this block before 4pm! Please check in with Hillel staff any time during this block at the William Pitt Union.

4:00pm-5:15pm: Student Icebreakers

4:00pm-5:30pm: Parent Event

5:30pm-7:30pm: Student Dinner/Activity off-site

Friday, August 16th

10:00am-11:00am: Breakfast

11:00am-1:00pm: Tours and Conversation by Major

1:00pm-2:30pm: Own lunch on Forbes Ave. Please email [email protected] if you would like a Kosher provided meal.

2:30pm-4:00pm: Student panels

4:15pm-5:15pm: Optional Activity time

5:15pm-6:00pm: Break

6:00pm-6:45pm: Shabbat Services (Reform and Conservative options; Open to students and families)

7:00pm-8:30pm: Shabbat Dinner (Open to students and families)

8:30pm-10:00pm: Shabbat Oneg (Students only)

Saturday, August 17th

Optional programming with Chabad on Campus at Pitt. Contact Chabad for more info!

Havdalah with Hillel at Pitt at 9:00pm at Schenley Plaza.

Sunday, August 18th

1:30-3:30pm: Schmooze & Schmear (open to FreshFest students and families + non-FreshFest participants who want to visit Hillel)

+ other optional student-led programming to be announced at a later date

*Times subject to change. Locations will be available at a later date. Official FreshFest programming runs from Thursday, August 15th to Friday, August 16th.

When can I sign up for FreshFest?

There will be an option to pre-register before registration officially opens on July 1st. Pre-registration info coming soon!

Why does my move-in date still say August 19th or 20th?  

Don’t worry! Since we notify the University just a few weeks before FreshFest, your move-in date will not change from your assigned date. However, once you are registered and paid for FreshFest, you’re all set to move in with us! 

Ship2Pitt Info  

As an added service to our students who live in our residence halls, the University of Pittsburgh offers the Ship2Pitt program.  Each student may ship up to five boxes (maximum measurement 21 inches x 16 inches x 16 inches and up to 50 pounds each), and your boxes will be delivered to your room prior to your arrival. Students who are Early Arrivals and would like to utilize Ship2Pitt will need to send their packages no later than July 31. If a student who is an Early Arrival sends their items after July 31, Ship2Pitt cannot guarantee the items will be in the students room upon arrival. Students will receive information regarding Ship2Pitt directly to their email.  

Will my Ship2Pitt boxes be in my dorm room?  

Yes! Ship2Pitt boxes are placed in their designated dorm rooms on a rolling basis.

Are the dining halls open?  

Dining halls will open on Monday, August 19th so they will not be open for early-move in. Check out the different meals that Hillel is offering for those moving in early! 

What campus food options will be open early?  

At the time of FreshFest, on-campus dining will not be open. However, many restaurants accept Panther Funds, which can be put on your account before your arrival and can be used immediately at participating restaurants. *Please double check with these restaurants to confirm that they accept Panther Funds

• Jimmy John’s 
• Moe’s 
• Panera Bread 
• Piada 
• Primanti’s 
• Prince of India 
• Stack’d 
• The Porch 
• Viva los Tacos 

Will my RA be on my floor for early move-in?  

Yes! Your RA’s have spent the week preparing for resident arrival. They will be there and notified that you are moving in early, so they can help you with any questions that you may have. 

Will there be move-in helpers?  

Unfortunately, no. Since the move-in for FreshFest is earlier than the University’s move-in, they are not able to provide designated move-in helpers. However, many Hillel student leaders are happy to help move things if you need it! 

Will there be move-in carts in the dorm?  

Yes! There will be move-in carts in the lobby of every dorm. If there are not, you are able to call Panther Central and they can work to get carts to whichever dorm you are in. 

What if my PantherID doesn’t work when I get to my dorm?  

If your ID does not work upon arrival, bring your ID to Panther Central (inside the Towers lobby) and they will be able to reactivate it for you.  

Meet the FreshFest Outreach Committee Leaders! Feel free to contact any of them with any questions prior to FreshFest!

Name: Madison Tell

Phone number: 5168509398

Instagram: madisontell_

Bio: Hi! My name is Madison Tell and I am the current VP of Engagement at Hillel at Pitt. I am a junior studying Psychology and I am also completing the American Sign Language certificate. I also am a part of greek life and I am on the Club Cheerleading team! I am looking forward to meeting you all. Please feel free to reach out with any questions 😊

Name: Caleb Unterlack

Phone number: 856-287-8281

Instagram: Caleb_Unterlack

Bio: I am a Junior in the school of public health. I also am the President of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.

Name: Ashley Mason

Phone number: 4107073615

Instagram: @ashleymason1818

Bio: Hi! I’m Ashley Mason from Columbia, MD, and am a sophomore Elementary Education major pursuing the CASE program at Pitt’s School of Education. I am a member and hold a leadership position in Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, as well as being involved with Chabad and of course, Hillel! In the fall, I’ll be working in both the Dietrich School Advising Office and Career Center on campus, on top of being a teaching assistant for the freshman programs classes. I’m planning on going on Birthright this December and studying abroad in Florence next May! I am so excited to be a small group leader and a member of the Freshman Outreach committee for Freshfest 2024! Please feel free to DM me on Instagram or email me at [email protected] with any questions and I can’t wait to meet you all!

Name: Kobi Einhorn

Phone number: 2162788292

Instagram: kobieinhorn

Bio: Hi guys my name is Kobi Einhorn, and I’m from Cleveland Ohio. I’ll be a junior in the fall and I’m majoring in Finance and Business Analytics. Can’t wait to meet you!

Name: Max Irish

Phone number: 7034890403

Instagram: Max_irish_

Bio: Hi I’m Max I’m a sophomore from Northern Virginia. I enjoy playing golf and spending time with my friends as well as traveling. I like to attend Hillel events and be an active participant in Jewish life on campus.

Name: Oliver Rosen

Phone number: 3123503317

Instagram: olly_rosen

Hi! I am a rising sophomore, a Biochemistry and English Writing (fiction track) double major, a Chemistry and German minor, and am getting a GSWS certificate! At Pitt, I’m in Ballroom Dance Club and German Club, and I also help run LGBTJew+ at Hillel. I am also currently studying abroad in Munich, Germany!
I can’t wait to meet all of you at FreshFest. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Name: Kyra Shevis

Phone number: 203-671-7824

Instagram: @kyrar.s

Bio: I’m a sophomore from Connecticut with a Social Work major and Spanish minor. Currently, in addition to Hillel, I’m involved in Empower, the Red Cross, and the BASW club.

Name: Emma Northman

Phone number: 7165158745

Instagram: emmanorthman

Bio: I’m from Buffalo, NY and live in Chautauqua, NY in the summer. I’m an Econ major and French Studies minor in Dietrich and the Honors College, graduating this spring (a year early). I spent the spring semester studying abroad in Florence and then solo traveled through Europe for 6ish weeks, allowing me to visit over 20 countries! Fun facts: I have triplet siblings that are entering their freshmen year of college and I’m genuinely terrified of fish! 🙂

Name: Caleb Epstein

Phone number: 4843782054

Instagram: Cbepi

Bio: Hi, my name is Caleb Epstein and I went to Lower Merion High School right outside of Philly and I’m an incoming Sophomore. During the school year during my free time, I enjoy playing catch with my friends when the weather is nice or playing video games. At Pitt, I’m apart of a frat called Sammy and work for Pitt intramural sports as a referee. I also enjoy to run and traveling the world with my friends. Can’t wait to meet you all this summer and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Name: Seth Klein

Phone number: 973-525-6826

Instagram: sethklein13

Bio: I’m an incoming sophomore majoring in political science. I plan on attending law school to become a personal injury attorney after undergrad. I participated in FreshFest last year as a freshman and it was a lot of fun, and I can’t wait for it this year.

Name: Doug Newell

Phone number: 6103149503

Instagram: doug_newell5

Bio: Hi, my name is Doug. I am a senior at Pitt studying political science. Some of the things I love to do are play my instruments, workout, and read. I am a huge fan of all Philly sports teams, especially the Phillies.

Name: Emma Madoff

Phone number: 201-248-7958

Instagram: emmamadoff

Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Emma and I’m a rising sophomore at Pitt from Westport, CT. I’m currently majoring in Biology on the Pre-Med track. At Pitt I’m involved in many different organizations such as Pitt Pathfinders, Chabad and Hillel, and Greek life. In my free time I love going to the gym, shopping with my mom, being at the beach, and hanging out with my friends. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, and I can’t wait to meet you all!