Jewish Students At Ohio State University: How Many?

Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, has a large Jewish student population, estimated to be around 3,000, or 7% of the student body. The university offers a range of resources and support for Jewish students, including the Hillel International society, a kosher meal plan, and the Melton Center for Jewish Studies, which offers a variety of courses and scholarships. However, in recent years, there have been reports of antisemitic incidents on campus, prompting calls for increased security measures and efforts to deter antisemitism and protect Jewish students.

Jewish students make up 6.2% of the undergraduate population at Ohio State University

Ohio State University is home to a large Jewish student population, with Jewish students making up 6.2% of the undergraduate population. This translates to approximately 2,777 Jewish students out of a total of 44,617 undergraduates. The university is located in Columbus, Ohio, which has a Jewish community of around 25,000 people.

The university offers a range of resources and organisations to support Jewish life on campus. These include the Hillel International chapter, which provides kosher dining, antisemitism training, and an array of programs and events for Jewish students. Additionally, the OSU Hillel facility spans 28,000 square feet and includes a kosher restaurant, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner at subsidised prices. Friday night dinners are free to students. The Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator is also available to support Jewish students.

Beyond the Hillel, Jewish students at Ohio State University can engage in Greek life and various other organisations, such as the Wexner Jewish Student Center and OSU Chabad. The Melton Center for Jewish Studies offers a variety of courses and scholarships to enrich their academic experience. The university also provides a kosher meal plan, organised through OSU Hillel, with meals available at the Hillel's Bagel Cafe under the supervision of Buckeye Kosher.

The broader Columbus Jewish community is known for its warm hospitality, and members often open their homes to students for Shabbat and holidays. The community boasts ten synagogues, two day schools, the Columbus Community Kollel, Schottenstein Chabad House, Jewish preschools, and three JCC locations.

The presence of these resources and organisations reflects the significant Jewish student population at Ohio State University, with Jewish students comprising 6.2% of the undergraduate community.

The university offers a Jewish Studies Major or Minor

Ohio State University has a large Jewish student population, with around 3,200 Jewish students, making up about 7% of the school's population. The university offers a vibrant Jewish community with a Hillel, Chabad on campus, an Olami rabbi, and a kosher meal plan.

The university also offers a rich academic programme in Jewish Studies, with both major and minor options available. The Hebrew and Jewish Studies programme is offered by the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and includes courses in language, culture, literature, and linguistics. Students can choose from two tracks: the Hebrew language track or the Jewish Studies track.

The Hebrew language track focuses on developing proficiency in the Hebrew language, starting with elementary-level courses and progressing towards oral and written proficiency. Students are introduced to the unique Hebrew writing system and basic patterns of speech and grammar. The programme also explores Hebrew literature, initially through English translations, and gradually transitioning to readings in Hebrew as language skills develop.

The Jewish Studies track, on the other hand, delves into the history, languages, philosophy, and literature of the Jewish people. Students can expect to take courses in Hebrew language and literature, cognate Semitic languages, Yiddish language and literature, Jewish history, rabbinics, and Jewish philosophy. Additionally, there are occasional offerings in other fields, such as English, sociology, and social work.

Both tracks encourage students to study abroad at institutions in Israel, such as Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The Melton Center for Jewish Studies at Ohio State provides a variety of scholarships to support these study abroad opportunities.

The Melton Center for Jewish Studies is a significant resource for students in the Hebrew and Jewish Studies programme. It is one of the largest and most diverse Jewish studies programs in the country and offers additional funding for graduate students. The centre also assists students in finding internships within the Columbus Jewish community, which is known for its warm hospitality.

There is a Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator on campus

Ohio State University has a Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator on campus. The Hillel facility is 28,000 sq. ft. of student-friendly space, serving all students with special residence hall programs for incoming students and pre-employment programs for graduating seniors. The Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator supports conservative and reform-based student-led services. All high holiday services are professionally led and all festive meals are served, including seders and all meals during Passover. Friday Shabbat dinner is free to all students.

The Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator is part of OSU Hillel, which has been rooted in Buckeye traditions since 1926 and is considered one of the finest Hillels in the country. Hundreds of students are involved in OSU Hillel's wide mix of formal programs, exciting campus-wide events, personalized interactions, and informal coffees. Jewish learning opportunities are abundant, and students are involved in all aspects of Jewish campus life, including a strong leadership development track.

OSU Hillel also offers a kosher meal plan, with meals arranged at Hillel's Bagel Café, under the supervision of Buckeye Kosher of the Vaad Ho-ir of Columbus, the central kosher supervision organization of Columbus.

In addition to the Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator, Ohio State University also has an Olami Rabbi, Rabbi Olgin, and a Chabad on campus (the Deitschs). The university is located in Columbus, OH, which has a Jewish community of approximately 25,000 people. The Columbus Jewish community is known for its warm hospitality, and members regularly open their homes to students for Shabbat and holidays.

Ohio State University has a kosher meal plan

Ohio State University has a large Jewish student population, with estimates ranging from 2,777 to 3,200 students, making up around 6-7% of the total student body. To cater to this significant population, the university offers a kosher meal plan.

The kosher meal plan is organised through OSU Hillel, which has a professionally operated kosher restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily at subsidised prices. Friday night Shabbat dinner is free for all students. Hillel also offers a Hillel meal plan at an extra cost.

Students can also find kosher options at various dining locations across campus. The Union Market Passport station offers certified Kosher options daily, and students can ask an attendant at the station or use the kiosk to order. The Curl Market is another location where students can ask an attendant to order a Kosher meal.

In addition, there are several dining plans available at Ohio State University, and students can choose the one that best matches their dietary preferences and needs. These plans offer flexibility and can be changed if needed. While these general dining plans do not specifically mention kosher options, they may provide further opportunities for kosher meals across campus.

Overall, Ohio State University's kosher meal plan, offered through OSU Hillel and various campus dining locations, ensures that Jewish students have access to kosher food options during their time at the university.

The Melton Center for Jewish Studies offers scholarships to support Jewish students

The Melton Center for Jewish Studies at Ohio State University offers a variety of courses and sponsors a wide range of events for students to engage in Jewish studies. The Melton Center also provides generous scholarships, grants, and awards to undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members. The purpose of these funding opportunities is to encourage and reward academic excellence in Jewish studies.

The Melton Center for Jewish Studies scholarships are open to students enrolled in the Jewish Studies program at OSU. The scholarships are worth up to $5,000 and are awarded based on academic performance and commitment to the goals of Jewish scholarship. Students can expect a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, with professors always accessible for support.

Ohio State University has a significant Jewish population, with approximately 3,200 Jewish students, making up around 7% of the student body. The university offers a range of resources and organizations for Jewish students, including Hillel, Chabad on campus, and a kosher meal plan.

The Melton Center for Jewish Studies is dedicated to fostering the multidisciplinary study of all aspects of the Jewish experience. The center offers an impressive selection of courses taught by respected scholars in their fields. In addition to scholarships, the center also provides support for internships and study abroad opportunities, further enriching the academic experience of Jewish students at Ohio State University.

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