Jewish Student Population At Columbia University: How Many?

Columbia University has a significant Jewish student population, with estimates placing the number of Jewish undergraduates at around 1,500, or 22.8% of the total student body. The university's main campus is located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and it is affiliated with the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. However, in recent years, rising antisemitism on campus has been a cause for concern, with Jewish students facing harassment and discrimination. There have been reports of unlawful encampments, protests, and antisemitic rhetoric, which have disrupted campus life and led to fears for the safety of Jewish students.

Columbia University has around 1,500 Jewish students, making up 22.8% of its undergraduate population

Columbia University is a private institution founded in 1754, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,902 students as of fall 2022. It is ranked 13th in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. Located in New York City, Columbia has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies. The university also offers a range of student activities, including 28 Greek chapters, and more than 90% of students live on campus.

According to Hillel International, Columbia University has around 1,500 Jewish students, comprising approximately 22.8% of its undergraduate population. This makes Columbia one of the top colleges by Jewish population. The university is affiliated with the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and offers various opportunities for Jewish students, including trips to Israel, student internships, Jewish education programs, and religious services.

However, in recent years, there have been reports of rising antisemitism at Columbia and other Ivy League campuses. Protests and unlawful encampments by student groups have disrupted campus life and raised concerns for the safety of Jewish students. These incidents have prompted discussions about the role of university administrations in addressing antisemitism and protecting Jewish students.

Despite these challenges, Jewish students continue to seek out the best education, including at Ivy League institutions. The decline in Jewish enrollment across the Ivy League has been attributed to various factors, including the impact of protests and rising antisemitism. Nevertheless, the pursuit of excellence in education remains a priority for Jewish students.

The university has been criticised for its handling of antisemitism on campus

Columbia University has been criticised for its handling of antisemitism on campus. In April 2024, student protesters set up an unlawful encampment to voice their displeasure with the Israeli response to the Hamas terrorist attack on the Jewish nation. The encampment disrupted campus life and jeopardised the safety of Jewish students. While Columbia University President Minouche Shafik directed the New York Police Department to arrest the student protesters and disband the encampment, it reappeared the next day, with protesters spewing antisemitic rhetoric and even calling for physical violence against Jewish students. In response, the university administration switched to a hybrid class model for the rest of the semester and deactivated key card access to the main campus for its most vocal Jewish professor. This response has been criticised as inadequate, with some calling for the university to lose federal funding and have its tax-exempt status revoked.

The university has also been criticised for failing to adequately address the distribution of an antisemitic newspaper called "The Columbia Intifada" on campus. The newspaper, launched by students who are part of an anti-Israel club, contained articles with titles such as "Zionist Peace Means Palestinian Blood" and "The Myth of the Two-State Solution". While the university issued a statement condemning the publication and asserting that it was investigating the incident, some have called for stronger consequences. Rep. Mike Lawler posted on social media that "If @Columbia cannot protect Jewish students on their campus, they should lose federal funding and have their tax-exempt status revoked".

In addition to these incidents, there have been reports of harassment and intimidating behaviour targeting Jewish and Israeli students on campus. For example, in April 2024, anti-Israel protesters claimed that Israeli Defence Forces veterans had doused them with skunk spray, requiring hospital treatment for some protesters. However, these allegations were proven false, and a Jewish student who was suspended for the incident was later paid a settlement by the university. Additionally, a Columbia University law professor, Katherine Franke, left the university after an investigation found that she had discriminated against Israelis in violation of university policies. Franke had stated in an interview that Israeli students at Columbia had been known to harass Palestinian and other students, and an investigation found that these comments violated the university's anti-discrimination policy.

The university has implemented some measures to address antisemitism on campus, such as forming a task force on antisemitism and enhancing campus security. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to protect Jewish students and create a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Columbia is affiliated with the Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Columbia University is affiliated with the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) of America, which is a Conservative Jewish education organization in New York City. The JTS is one of the academic and spiritual centres of Conservative Judaism and is home to one of the most significant collections of Judaica in the world. The Seminary was founded in 1886 by two rabbis, Sabato Morais and Henry Pereira Mendes, along with prominent lay leaders from Sephardic congregations in Philadelphia and New York. Its mission was to preserve the knowledge and practice of historical Judaism, in response to the growing Reform movement in North America which was alarming more traditional Jews.

The JTS has a close affiliation with Columbia University through the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies, which is the undergraduate school of the Seminary. Almost all List College students are enrolled in dual-degree programs with either Columbia University's School of General Studies or Barnard College.

The JTS offers a range of educational programs, including the Rabbinical School, the Cantorial School, the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education, and the Gershon Kekst Graduate School, which offers master's and doctoral degrees in Jewish Studies. The Seminary also has several institutes, including the Tikvah Institute for Jewish Thought, the Melton Research Center for Jewish Education, and the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies.

The JTS has a rich history, with many notable faculty members and alumni who have made significant contributions to Jewish scholarship, education, and leadership. It continues to be a vibrant centre for Jewish learning and community, offering unparalleled scholarship and resources to its students and the wider Jewish community.

Jewish students at Columbia have access to kosher dining and religious services

Columbia University has a vibrant Jewish community, with around 1,500 Jewish students out of 6,578 undergraduate students (22.8%) and 3,500 out of 22,000 students (15.9%) overall. The Jewish students at Columbia have access to kosher dining and religious services.

Kosher Dining

Columbia's kosher dining options are available to any student who participates in a dining plan. Students can enrol in the Kosher Dining Plan, which provides access to a Kosher cooler within John Jay Dining Hall. The cooler offers grab-and-go deli items, including sandwiches, salads, snacks, and desserts. Kosher items are also available at most retail locations on campus, including grab-and-go sandwiches and gourmet salads.

Additionally, there is a kosher restaurant/lounge called Café Nana, located on the second floor of the Columbia/Barnard Hillel - Kraft Center. This restaurant was launched and is managed by five Columbia and Barnard students.

Religious Services

The Center for Jewish Life at Columbia hosts over 30 student groups, including religious communities and student groups for Jewish students with different backgrounds and beliefs. These include:

• Kesher: An intentionally inclusive Reform Jewish community that connects students with a wide spectrum of Jewish practices, beliefs, and experiences. Kesher hosts weekly Shabbat services and various social and educational programs.
• Koach: The Traditional-Egalitarian community that serves Conservative Jewish students of Columbia, Barnard, and JTS. Koach hosts weekly Shabbat services and Saturday morning lunch, as well as social gatherings and educational opportunities.
• Yavneh: The Orthodox student community on campus, which aims to provide a welcoming and committed Orthodox community by infusing Modern Orthodox values into its social, educational, chessed, and religious programming. Yavneh has daily minyanim, with morning and afternoon services to accommodate everyone's schedule, as well as weekly Friday night, Shabbat morning, and afternoon services.

There are also other religious services available through Hillel, which hosts numerous religious services throughout the week, both daily and Shabbat.

Columbia's Hillel chapter offers trips to Israel, internships, Jewish education, and holiday celebrations

Columbia University is home to a vibrant and diverse Jewish community, with around 1,500 Jewish students enrolled as undergraduates, making up about 22.8% of the student population. The university's Hillel chapter offers a range of opportunities for these students to engage with their faith and connect with their Jewish identity.

One of the key offerings of Columbia's Hillel chapter is the opportunity to travel to Israel. The Birthright Israel program provides Jewish students between 18 and 26 years old with a free 10-day trip to Israel, allowing them to explore their heritage and connect with their culture. In addition to this, Columbia/Barnard Hillel offers an Israel Fellowship, which encourages students to engage in deep discussions about critical topics related to Israel and the Jewish state. The fellowship aims to address various topics, such as the challenges facing the Jewish state, Zionism, and the role of American Jews in shaping Israel's future.

Beyond trips to Israel, Columbia's Hillel chapter also offers internships and educational opportunities for Jewish students. Students can participate in student internships, gaining valuable work experience while engaging with their Jewish identity. Additionally, the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia provides academic programs, courses, and an undergraduate Israel Fellowship for those seeking a deeper understanding of Jewish history, culture, and contemporary issues.

Hillel at Columbia also plays an important role in celebrating Jewish holidays and religious traditions. Throughout the year, students can participate in Hebrew sessions, celebrate Israeli national holidays, and engage in discussions with Israeli students. The Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life, in collaboration with the Institute of Global Politics, also hosts events and speakers to foster dialogue and discussion on topics related to Israel and Jewish life.

Overall, Columbia's Hillel chapter offers a comprehensive range of programs and activities that enrich the Jewish student experience. Through trips to Israel, internships, Jewish education, and holiday celebrations, students can explore their faith, connect with their heritage, and build a strong sense of community during their time at Columbia University.

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