Religious & Spiritual Life

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) helps students to live their faith, explore spiritual practices, and make meaning within themselves and the world. We strive to meet each student where they are—whether continuing within a religious or humanist tradition, seeking among them, or exploring outside of them. We work to support personal wholeness, interfaith understanding, and collective wellbeing.

"We Still Have Hope" - chaplains from across the nation respond to the January 6 Capitol siege with reflections and prayer.

For detailed programming info, please refer to our RSL calendar.

RSL programs will likely occur remotely in the early spring of 2021, continuing the shift we initiated in March of 2020. One on one spiritual counseling, mindfulness coaching, and general support is available via phone or Zoom. Some limited events and one on one spiritual counseling will occur in person on campus. Contact RSL Director Harrison Blum (hblum@amherst.edu) to learn more about these offerings, or one of our RSL Advisors. 

Please always let us know how we can best serve you in these different times. We're here for you.

Here's a snapshot of regular programs for spring 2021. Visit our Student Organizations page to learn more about any group, and email the group Advisor for any Zoom links or more info.

• Amherst Buddhist Group, Guided Meditation and Discussion on Tuesdays 5-6pm over Zoom (Interim Buddhist Advisor: Harrison Blum)
• Dinner Church, Mondays 7-8pm over Zoom (Protestant Advisor: Rev. Anna Woofenden)
• Hillel Zoom Shabbat, Fridays 6pm (Jewish Advisor: Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer)
• Newman Catholic Student Association Mass on campus 5pm Sundays, remote offerings forthcoming (Catholic Advisor: Deacon Tom Lynch)
• Muslim Student Association Weekly Gatherings Sundays 1-2pm on  Zoom, Spiritual Reflections and Discussion Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom (Muslim Advisors: Liza Lozovaya and Mohammed Abdelaal)

Our Religious and Spiritual Advisors look forward to meeting you and are available for individual counsel and advice. Most have office hours (posted on this site) and all are available by appointment. All Advisors are offering remote one on one sessions, and some are offering outdoor sessions on campus.

Our offices are located in The Cadigan Center for Religious Life at 38 Woodside Avenue (south of Newport House and behind the President's House). Visit our campus map to see where the Cadigan Center is in relation to the rest of campus. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the building is closed until further notice. Look for us on the first year quad under our pop-up tent some mornings and afternoons.