Oxford University's Jewish Student Population: How Many?

Oxford University has a long and complex history with Jewish students. While the university now has a Jewish Society that organises social and educational events, interfaith and social action projects, and meals, the history of Jewish students at Oxford has been marked by periods of exclusion and discrimination.

Jewish students were barred from Oxford for over 500 years, and even after this ban was lifted in 1856, the number of openly Jewish students remained low due to snobbery and prejudice. Jewish students have also faced anti-Semitism and accusations of antisemitism on campus in recent years, with some reporting that the university failed to adequately address their safety concerns.

Jewish students at Oxford University have reported experiencing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on campus

Oxford University has a long and complex history with its Jewish students. While the university was founded on land sold by a Jewish man, Jacob the Jew, Jews were barred from studying at Oxford for over 500 years. Even after this ban was lifted in 1856, the number of Jewish students remained low due to snobbery and prejudice. Today, Jewish students at Oxford continue to face antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on campus.

In recent years, there have been reports of Jewish students experiencing harassment and intimidation at Oxford. In one instance, an Israeli student whose family members were murdered in a terror attack was told by their college welfare officer, "Oxford is often not a nice place for Israelis and Jews, and there is nothing we can do about it." Displays and vigils for hostages and victims of the massacre were also reportedly vandalised, and those who organised these events were met with derogatory and violent comments. Other incidents include an Israeli fellow being told by a colleague that "Jews run all the banks in the world," an Israeli student being told by classmates, "You guys control the American government," and a Jewish student being told that someone "wouldn't date a Jew."

In addition to these individual incidents, there have also been disputes between Jewish students and the university administration regarding accusations of antisemitism. In one case, Jewish students and faculty challenged the university's accusation that pro-Palestinian encampments at the Radcliffe Camera and the Pitt Rivers Museum were antisemitic. They argued that such allegations undermine the student right to protest and that the university's characterisation of Jews as a uniform mass with a single viewpoint is itself an antisemitic trope. They also expressed concern about the university's use of rhetoric to justify government interference and repression of student protest.

Jewish students have also reported experiencing anti-Israel sentiment on campus. For example, during an Oxford Union debate on Israel, pro-Israel speakers and Jewish students reported feeling terrified and intimidated by the crowd's display of hatred towards them. They cited slogans such as "Zionists are not welcome at Oxford" and accused the Union of inviting inflammatory speakers to spark division and alienate Jewish students. An open letter sent to the university authorities in May 2024 cataloged over 100 antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents that had occurred on campus in the previous six months.

While the university has stated that it is "unequivocal in its position that there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia, or unlawful discrimination of any kind," Jewish students continue to call for more to be done to address these issues.

The Oxford University Jewish Society organises social and educational events, interfaith projects and meals for Jewish students

The Oxford University Jewish Society (JSoc) is a society that caters to the needs of the Jewish student population at Oxford University. It is a hub for Jewish life on campus, organising social, cultural, and religious events for students of all observance levels. The society is not solely focused on religion, and its varied events are open to all Jewish students, from those who attend religious services three times a day to those who go three times a year.

JSoc provides a unique opportunity for Jewish students to connect and socialise with each other. They host prestigious speakers, cocktail parties, bagel brunches, and Friday night meals. The Friday night dinners are a highlight for many members, with up to a hundred attendees each week. These dinners provide a sense of community and a break from the college bubble, especially during the pandemic when many students felt isolated.

In addition to social events, the society also organises educational and religious events. They provide kosher meals every night during term time at the Oxford Jewish Centre, ensuring that kosher food is accessible to Jewish students. They also hold daily discussion groups, meditation sessions, and even a Zoom Challah bake during the pandemic. The society is involved in interfaith projects, such as the Friendship Interfaith Walk, and participates in inter-society events like barbeques and football matches.

JSoc plays an important role in the lives of Jewish students at Oxford, offering a sense of community and connection to their Jewish identity. They adapt to the needs of their members, as seen during the pandemic when they organised COVID-safe events and provided virtual social and educational opportunities.

Jewish students at Oxford have disputed accusations of antisemitism levelled at pro-Palestinian protesters, arguing that such claims undermine the right to protest

Oxford University has a long and complex history with its Jewish community. While the city was once home to a flourishing Jewish population, there was a time when Jews were barred from the university and subjected to anti-Semitic bullying and violence. Today, Jewish students are an integral part of the diverse student body at Oxford, with organisations like the Oxford University Jewish Society providing a hub for Jewish life on campus.

However, recent events have sparked debates about the line between pro-Palestinian activism and antisemitism. In May 2024, students and staff at Oxford and other UK universities established "Liberated Zone" encampments to protest against the war in Gaza and call for their institutions to cut ties with Israel. The protests sparked accusations of antisemitism, with some claiming that the characterisation of Jews as a uniform mass with a single viewpoint is itself an antisemitic trope.

Jewish students and faculty at Oxford disputed these accusations, arguing that such allegations undermine the student right to protest. In an open letter to the Vice Chancellor, they expressed their support for students, especially Jewish ones, who supported the international movement protesting the Gaza conflict. They objected to the university's reductive and misleading claims to speak on their behalf.

The Jewish Students for Justice (JSJ) also released a statement rejecting the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, arguing that conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism silences legitimate discourse and has been used to silence criticism on campuses across the US and the UK. They called on the university to create a working group to find an alternative definition that connects the fight against antisemitism with the fight against all other forms of hate.

The university, while reiterating its commitment to freedom of expression and zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, responded by clarifying its use of the IHRA definition as a guide to interpreting and understanding antisemitism. It also stated that all complaints related to harassment or discrimination are taken seriously and investigated formally if they occur within the university context.

Jewish students and faculty at Oxford have criticised the University's use of rhetoric to justify government interference in higher education

Jewish students and faculty at Oxford University have a long and complex history. The University town was once home to a thriving Jewish community, which included distinguished rabbis and scholars. However, over the centuries, Jewish people were barred from attending the University and faced significant discrimination and violence. It was not until the 19th century that these barriers began to break down, and even then, prejudice kept the number of openly Jewish students very low.

Today, Jewish students and faculty at Oxford continue to face challenges and have criticised the University's response to recent pro-Palestine protests on campus. In an open letter published in May 2024, Jewish faculty members expressed their concern about the University's portrayal of the protests as creating an "intimidating environment" for Jewish staff and students. The letter, signed by twelve prominent Jewish academics, stated that they were "deeply disturbed" by the University's rhetoric, which they believed was used to "justify government interference in higher education and repression of student protest."

The letter also objected to the University's claim to speak on behalf of all Jewish staff and students, arguing that portraying Jews as a "uniform mass with a single viewpoint" is an "insidious antisemitic trope". It urged the University to engage in meaningful dialogue with the protesting students and to listen to and learn from them.

Jewish Students for Justice (JSJ) at Oxford also released a statement, calling on the University to explore alternative definitions of antisemitism and to connect the fight against antisemitism with the fight against all forms of hate. They argued that conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism is "damaging to Jewish students" and undermines legitimate discourse. JSJ further emphasised that the University failed to address the assault on anti-Zionist and Jewish students within the pro-Palestine encampment, which they considered a threat to Jewish students.

The University of Oxford has reiterated its use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and stated that it is in active conversation with the authors of the open letter to address their concerns.

Jewish students have been allowed to study at Oxford University since 1856, but prejudice kept numbers very low

Oxford University has a long and complex history with Jewish students and the Jewish community. The city of Oxford was once home to a thriving Jewish community, which was one of the most significant in England. Jews came to England in 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded, and by the end of the 11th century, around 80-100 Jewish families lived in Oxford.

However, over the centuries, Jews faced increasing persecution and violence, and in 1290, King Edward I expelled all Jews from England. It wasn't until 1656 that Jews were allowed back into the country, and even then, prejudice and discrimination persisted.

Jewish students were finally allowed to study at Oxford University in 1856, but as the article notes, "snobbery and prejudice kept the number of openly Jewish students very low." One of the challenges Jewish students faced was that exams were held on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath. This meant that Jewish students either had to break their religious observance or miss their exams.

Even in more recent times, Jewish students at Oxford have faced obstacles and discrimination. The article mentions that Sir Isaiah Berlin, a renowned philosopher, was only the fifth openly Jewish teacher at the university when he started teaching in 1932. Additionally, Jewish students have faced accusations of antisemitism when expressing their support for the international student movement protesting the Gaza conflict.

Today, while there is a Jewish Society at Oxford University, which organises social and educational events, recent reports indicate that Israeli and Jewish students continue to experience hostility and anti-Semitism on campus, particularly amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Overall, while Jewish students have been permitted to study at Oxford University since 1856, the legacy of prejudice and discrimination has had a lasting impact, and Jewish students continue to face challenges and obstacles in fully participating in university life.

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