Choosing a College with a Jewish Life on Campus
Is there kosher food on campus? Will other students keep Shabbat or daven? Will there be a Sukkah available? All of these are questions that an Academy student must consider in order to choose a college where he or she will feel comfortable and be happy.
The best way to find out about a prospective school is to talk to students on campus, contact the campus Hillel and talk to ICJA counseling staff.
Here are some important questions to consider:
- How large is the Jewish student population?
- What percentage of the Jewish students are involved in religious activities?
- How active is the Hillel organization?
- What are the different Jewish groups on campus?
- Where are the Jewish groups on campus?
- Are there separate gender dorms on campus?
- Are there social action groups emanating from Jewish organizations?
- If the school is recognized as a commuter school, are out-of-state students invited into area homes for Shabbat? For holidays?
- What is the university policy regarding Jewish holidays?
- Have there been scheduling conflicts (exams and graduation) with Jewish holidays? If so, how were these handled?
- Is there any anti-Israel sentiment on campus?
- Are Jewish faculty members involved in Jewish activities?
- What Judaic courses are offered on campus?
- Are there Jewish study opportunities on or off campus?
- What synagogues are near the campus?
- How hospitable are the local synagogues to college students?
- Will students be able to observe Passover on campus?
- Is there a kosher kitchen/dining room on campus; under whose hashgacha and who does the cooking?
- How many students keep kosher?
- Will there be a sukkah on campus?
