
Student Organizations

The Center for Religious & Spiritual Life supports a variety of student-run groups. Contact the organization heads to find out more, or propose an organization of your own!
CRSL-Supported Student Organizations
Al Iman
Al Iman is a Muslim Students’ Association affiliated with MSA National, dedicated to create an environment for Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and participate in social events. Al Iman’s goals include planning activities to better enable Smith students to understand Islam, its image in the world, and its political, spiritual, and human implications. The organization promotes values that circle around unity, a local and global community, and the value of humanity.
Meetings:
TBA
Contacts for 2022-2023:
Co-chairs: Selma Benmoussa and Tulip Daaboul
Treasurer: Ida Sy
Secretary: Boushilah Mata
Religious Chairs: Tahsina Riju and Anaan Choudhury
Publicity Chairs: Muneera Alshaghawi and Ramsha Rauf
Social Justice and Equity Chair: Sheher-Bano Ahmed
Animal Advocates
We love exploring all animal rights related and intersectional issues that people are interested in! We love to meet new people, host events and movies, go on field trips to visit animal sanctuaries and shelters, and cook/bake together. We are committed to doing what we can to decrease the suffering of animals, and of humans, and are in solidarity with all justice movements.
Check on Smith Social Network for information
The purpose of Blackappella is to celebrate the history of black people by singing traditional spirituals and contemporary music by and for black folks across the diaspora. In paying homage to those who came before us, Blackappella recognizes our connections to one another. Blackappella came into existence in the fall of 2016 out of the pain and trauma of black students grappling with the current state of anti-blackness in the country. Through music, this club creates a space to talk about faith, healing, community, and activism. Blackappella’s mission is first to empower black students through song, and secondly to use our collective voices to engage the larger community in the fight for black life. #BLACKLIVESMATTER always. 2022-2023 Contact Zora Danticat mdanticat@smith.edu
Catholic Club
The Newman Catholic Club a group dedicated to giving Catholic Smithies the opportunity to worship with their fellow Catholics. It strives to strengthen the Catholic community at Smith. Open to everyone.
Meetings:
For Fall Semester 2022, Mass is held at 3pm in the Helen Hills Hills Chapel Sanctuary.
Contact: Sam Waniewski (swaniewski@smith.edu)
First Baptist Church of Amherst Growth Group
Growth Group is a Christian small group that is affiliated with the First Baptist Church in Amherst. We meet for worship, fellowship, and bible study. We also participate in community events with other FBC five college members such as Agape night (student led worship), social events, and retreats. We welcome everyone who is interested in joining and learning more about the Christian faith!
2022 - 2023 Contact: TBA
Hindu Student Organization
Contact: Kim Alston (kalston@smith.edu)
Interfaith Alliance
Contact: Matilda Cantwell
International Student Bible Study
- Wednesdays 7-8pm in CC 102
- contact Kathia Masimbi Natete kmasimbi@smith.edu or Esther Mugeni emugeni@smith.edu
Black Campus Ministry Bible Study
- Sundays 7-8:30pm in CC 204
- contact Dorithy Barnieh dbarnieh@smith.edu
Prayer Meeting
- Fridays 12:30 - 1:15 in the CC 204
- contact Estel Arias emarias@smith.edu or Grace Huang ghuang@smith.edu
Large Group Gatherings
- Every other Friday 6-7:30pm in CC 103/104
- Contact Paula Ogalde Carmona pogaldecarmona@smith.edu
Sisters of the Yam
Sisters of the Yam is a closed space for black-identifying Smithies (those descending from the African diaspora). It was created by Fulani Oghoghome '17J, a student working on a project concerning themes around black womanhood, wellness, and vulnerability who saw a lack of spaces on campus for intentional reflection and healing at Smith. This space allows for writing, meditation, listening, self reflection and collective organizing to be done. Also events scheduled involving outside facilitation will be based in holistic and alternative healing and mental wellness.
Contact: Kim Alston (kalston@smith.edu)
Smith College Jewish Community (SCJC)
Smith College Jewish Community endeavors to address the needs of Jewish students on campus and to encourage a sense of community between them by being pluralistic, welcoming, and inclusive. It provides opportunities to explore and celebrate Judaism and Jewish culture, while enriching the lives of the Smith community. Smith College Jewish Community provides religious services, maintains a kosher kitchen, and sponsors educational events relating to Jewish issues.
Meetings:
Shabbat: 5:30 p.m. Fridays, Kosher Kitchen, Jordan House
Contacts for 2022-2023:
Co-Chairs: Vivian Jacobs and Jay Frothingham
Secretary: Hana Halff
Treasurer: Sydney Weisman