Five things to consider if you’re Jewish and facing the college search

Choosing a college is hard. There is so much to consider. And when you’re looking for an environment that meets your Jewish needs, whatever they may be, it can be even more complicated. 

Here are five specific aspects of Jewish life that you should consider in order to make the best choice possible

1. Organized Jewish community on campus

It may be important to you to have an active Jewish community on campus that offers a space to celebrate Shabbat and holidays. Many campuses have such a community, and some don’t. 

Most often, if there is Jewish organization, it will be a branch of Hillel International or Chabad. While Hillel is a pluralistic organization that embraces Jews of different denominations, Chabad welcomes Jews from all denominations but is a Hasidic organization. In your research, make sure to find out if either or both of these organizations are active at the college, and look into the programming and resources they offer.

Depending on the size of the campus Jewish community and the resources it has at its disposal, Hillel may have its own dedicated space. Sometimes it even has its own building where students come to participate in Jewish programming and to hang out. Tufts Hillel is one such example. They have their own building, pictured below, and a robust staff, which included a chef at one point. As you research different colleges, you will find variation in this regard.

2. Relationships to Israel within the Jewish community

When it comes to organized Jewish life on campus, be aware that Hillel has a clear stance on Israel. As they state in their Israel Guidelines, “Hillel is steadfastly committed to the support of Israel” and “views Israel as a core element of Jewish life.” Depending on your relationship with Israel, this aspect of Hillel may or may not resonate with you. Even if it does not resonate, you may still find a home at Hillel for participating in rituals and traditions. You may just have to sit out the Israel-related programming.

At some colleges, students have created Jewish communities that better align with their political values. These are grassroots communities created and led by students. JGAF at Clark University and Alt-J at Tufts University are two examples. They are part of a broader network of like-minded organizations. If this sort of community seems like a good fit for you, it is something to look for when you research schools.

3. Size of the Jewish community on campus

There are some colleges where at least a quarter of the undergraduate population is Jewish, such as Tulane and Brandeis. These are campuses where you will run into Jews almost everywhere you go. 

On the other hand, there are universities where you’re unlikely to run into Jewish students in your courses and extracurriculars, and you will have to seek out Jewish programming to connect with Jewish peers. 

You may want a campus where the Jewish community is small because participation in Jewish life feels more meaningful that way. Conversely, you may want to be able to connect with Jewish peers wherever you go, even if you never step foot into Hillel or Chabad. 

Think about it, and figure out which of those options appeals to you the most.

4. Perspectives on Israel and Palestine across the student body

College campuses have long been hotbeds of political activism, and this has certainly remained the case with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There are vibrant and vocal anti-Israel contingents on many campuses, and some of them utilize inflammatory rhetoric.

Should you steer clear of any college where this is happening? Not necessarily. It is a significant restriction that may or may not make sense for you. But you should definitely self-reflect and consider how you might respond to this kind of culture.

When looking at colleges, it is important to be aware of your relationship with Israel and with Israel/Palestine as a political issue. 

What is your perspective? Are you looking for a community where people share your feelings about these issues? To what extent can you tolerate people who disagree with you? Can you stand to be around rhetoric that might make you uncomfortable? 

Having this self-awareness will help you find a campus environment that’s a good fit for you.

5. Antisemitism

In terms of antisemitism, I cannot tell you that X campus is safe and Y campus is not. There is no objective way to measure your level of comfort on any particular campus. There are no right or wrong choices. The most important thing is that you make an informed decision. 

Check out the Forward’s reporting on campus antisemitism, the Hillel College Guide, and each campus’s student newspaper. Student newspapers are an excellent way to learn about events on campus and elements of campus climate that professional news outlets do not report. 

Even better than reading the student newspaper is visiting the college and seeing how it feels. I especially recommend connecting with Jewish students and speaking with them about their experiences. While it is difficult to find a campus community that is completely free of antisemitism, it is easier to find a unified and resilient Jewish community.