Leap of faith: University students need us now more than ever

Right now, our university students really need us. As well as the stress of exams and the general pressures of being away from home, since October 7 they have also had to cope with Israel being at the forefront in the news and in student politics.

At present, the vast majority of Jewish chaplaincy at UK universities is Orthodox. It is offered by Chabad, Aish and University Jewish Chaplaincy. These organisations do an excellent job in catering for students who seek an Orthodox form of Jewish life. But this is not sufficient. A recent UJS survey showed that one in four Jewish students identifies as Progressive. For many of them, the form of Jewish life available at university is not their Jewish home.

Young Progressive Jews often can’t find a prayer space or study space that meets their needs, one that echoes the rich, inclusive, musical Jewish life in which they grew up. This can be especially alienating for the thousands of young people whose Jewish identity is not recognised by existing organisations – those who may have grown up secular, who have converted, who are from mixed-faith families, who are queer. Those who have nuanced or critical views on Israel can also feel Jewishly homeless, now more than ever.

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One of the things that can get lost in the current conversation about the campus experience is the diversity of views. Some Jewish students are involved in the current protest camps. To others they are alienating, threatening or unnuanced. And many sit in an ambivalent space in between their more certain peers to either side, or hold multiple, competing views within themselves.

This spring, we relaunched Progressive Jewish Students. Building on the excellent work of UJS and JSocs, our goal is to create a Progressive Jewish life on campus that is meaningful, robust, diverse, inclusive and safe, creating a positive space for students to explore their Jewish identity and practice with peers.

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We are working to ensure that students can continue to practice their Progressive Judaism on campus – through university visits for Shabbat services, pastoral care and lunch and learns; posting out festival packs, as we just did for Pesach; and seeking to ensure that students are in touch with their nearest of our 80+ Reform and Liberal communities.

We aim to offer students opportunities for Jewish learning, experience and pastoral support that will give them resources in this period of their lives, so that they are equipped during their time at university with the leadership skills to organise and take responsibility for their Jewish life as adults. We aim to make sure that every student has a safe Jewish space.

It is especially important that there is a diversity of Jewish culture and religious practice visible on university campuses, that all our students have access to the practical and emotional support that they need, and that whatever their identity and background, every student can be part of a community that cares about their belonging and wellbeing.