Developing J-Socs: it’s not the size that counts, it’s how you use it!
By Ben Salamon, UJS Developing J-Socs officer.
The myth that you have to go to just a small handful of universities to be part of active and exciting Jewish student societies is being totally destroyed by the incredible work of the new and developing J-Socs up and down the country.
From Edinburgh to Exeter, Dublin to Durham, Swansea to Sussex, and everywhere in-between, these J-Socs are proving that students can be part of thriving and interesting Jewish student communities wherever they decide to study.
Smaller J-Socs certainly face their own challenges. Getting enough people to form a 5-a-side J-Soc team, being able to provide kosher meat for Friday night dinners, even finding space to host their meals can be tricky.
However, the developing J-Socs also have their own unique charms and advantages.
With fewer numbers, these J-Socs cannot afford to form cliques and are always looking for more people to get involved, and so an extremely friendly and welcome atmosphere is created.
And of course putting in that extra effort to observe Yom Kippur, or host a Pesach seder meal, or light the Chanukah menorah, in a place which is hundreds of miles from a large Jewish community, is extra special and can be quite moving to those involved.
And if you are at a university which doesn’t even have a Jewish society, then do not fear!
Even if you just have two or three Jewish students, UJS will help you set something up.
We’ll help you speak to your Student Union to send out social networking messages promoting the new J-Soc, we’ll help you design leaflets and posters which ask for interested people to get involved, and we’ll help you get involved with UJS’ national events and training summits, helping you meet other Jewish students and feel part of your national Union.
It’s not the size that counts, it’s how you use it![divider]
Thinking about starting a J-Soc on your campus? Contact Ben at bens@ujs.org.uk to find out more![divider]
comments