The Cohen Center
The Margie K. and Louis N. Cohen Center for Jewish Life has been Illini Hillel's center of operations on campus since 2007.
In addition to housing staff offices, the Cohen center is home to many core Hillel programs and events, including Shabbat and Holiday services and meals, weekly Sunday Bagel Brunches, learning opportunities, and dozens of social events each semester! Our Kosher Dairy kitchen also is home to Cafe Sababa, open Monday through Thursday for lunch!
The building is an open social and study space featuring free coffee and tea, a pool and ping-pong table, plenty of seating, and free printing and wifi!
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Building Hours:
10 AM - 10 PM
Sunday - Friday
9 AM - 9 PM
Saturday
Find Us
Parking Information
Updated 7/31/2023
Parking Guide for the Cohen Center for Jewish Life - 503 E. John Street, Champaign
Public Transportation
Champaign-Urbana is blessed with the wonderful MTD bus system. The Cohen Center, on the corner on Fifth and E. John street, is surrounded by 5 MTD stops that two or less blocks away. To avoid searching and paying for parking, as well as reduce carbon footprint, we recommend taking MTD. You can find the fastest route to the 503 East John Street, Champaign here - https://mtd.org/maps-and-schedules/plan-trip/
Bicycle Parking
The Cohen Center is equipped with bicycle parking next to the accessible ramp at the front of the building. Parking at the Cohen Center with your bicycle is free and healthy. Hillel has bicycle pump available if needed. Please ask the intern at the front desk.
Cohen Center Visitor Parking (Free)
The Cohen Center has eight (8) visitor parking spots available for visitors of the building, including two accessible spots. The availability is on a first-come-first-served basis. People who park are required to check in at the front desk. People who park in visitor spots not for the use of the Cohen Center risk their cars getting towed.
Staff spots and Reserved spots are saved for Hillel staff, Federation staff and renters. Renters have permission to tow anyone who parks in their spot without permission and prior notice.
LOT C5 (Free after 5pm)
Lot C5 is located on Daniel Street just south of The Cohen Center’s block. Currently, some of the spots there are free for parking after 5pm (unless otherwise listed). People who seek free parking after 5pm may park there and walk north one block to access the Cohen Center.
Please note – this is a university lot and regulations may change. Please view the lot and specific spot signs to see whether or not you can park. Hillel and the Federation have no influence on this lot.
Metered Street Parking (enforced until 9pm)
All around the Cohen Center’s block there is metered street parking available. The cost for parking runs between $0.75-$1.00 for cash payment or these amounts plus a convenience fee if paid by app. These spots are run by the City of Champaign.
LOT C7
Just east of the Cohen Center on John Street is LOT C7. Paying by app is available in that lot. Please follow the instructions on the signage in that lot and in the specific parking spots.
Please note – this is a university lot and regulations may change. Please view the lot and specific spot signs to see whether or not you can park. Hillel and the Federation have no influence on this lot.
LOT C10
Lot C10 is located just south of the Cohen Center and is currently closed.
Please note – this is a university lot and regulations may change. Please view the lot and specific spot signs to see whether or not you can park. Hillel and the Federation have no influence on this lot.
Special Occasions
In special cases Hillel or the Federation can reserve street parking around the Cohen Center. This is done well in advance and will be announced accordingly. In such cases, the specific metered spots will be bagged. Non bagged spots will still require payment. Talk to a designated Jewish professional if you need spots leased.
Rented Spots
If you want to rent a reserved spot at the Cohen Center for a period of time, (overnight, week, month semester etc..) please contact Office Manager Virni Bryson at virni@illinihillel.org. The best time to secure your spot is early in the summer.
Need more free parking?
A major capital gift to Hillel can help us expand parking availability in our area. Contact Hillel’s Executive Director Erez Cohen at erez@illinihillel.org to discuss ideas and opportunities.