Lori Meadows
The University of Georgia is home to a large Jewish student population, with over 1,000 Jewish students, according to UGA Hillel. In April 2022, the university broke ground on a new Jewish center to accommodate the growing Jewish community on campus. The new Hillel Center on Baxter Street aims to provide a modern and inclusive space for Jewish students to connect, foster a sense of community, and participate in Jewish life on campus. This development reflects the university's commitment to supporting its diverse student body and ensuring that Jewish students can embrace their faith and cultural identity during their time at the University of Georgia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Jewish students | Over 1,000 |
| Jewish community | UGA Hillel |
| Hillel staff | 4 full-time staff members |
| Hillel groups in Georgia | 2 dozen |
| Hillel building cost | $8 million |
| Amount raised | $6.4 million |
| Hillel's vision | Exceptional and inclusive |
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What You'll Learn
Jewish students at the University of Georgia face antisemitism
The University of Georgia is home to over 1,000 Jewish students, according to UGA Hillel, a local community of an international Jewish student organisation. While the university condemns antisemitism and discrimination in any form, Jewish students at the University of Georgia face antisemitism on campus.
Jewish students at the University of Georgia have experienced antisemitic incidents, including swastikas drawn on the back of Pro-Palestine rally flyers and vandalism on Jewish college buildings. They have also been subjected to antisemitic speech, such as being called slurs or hearing statements like "Oh, Hitler didn't get them all". As a result, some students have felt afraid to openly express their Jewish faith and identity. In response to these incidents, Hillels of Georgia, which represents Jewish students on college campuses, held a fundraising event to raise awareness and call for more support from university leaders to address the issue.
In 2021, Jewish students at the University of Georgia took a proactive step to address antisemitism by advocating for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. Third-year students Kara Litwin and Sarah Martynov, co-presidents of the campus group Students Supporting Israel, authored a resolution that was unanimously approved by the Student Government Association. This resolution requested that the University of Georgia use the IHRA definition when evaluating claims of discrimination against Jewish students. The IHRA definition recognises antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews", including rhetorical and physical manifestations directed towards Jewish individuals, their property, community institutions, and religious facilities.
The University of Georgia acknowledged the importance of the IHRA definition and committed to reflecting this in its evaluation of discrimination claims and faculty, staff, and student training. This step was praised by Jewish students as a proactive measure to protect and support the Jewish community on campus. However, despite these efforts, antisemitism continues to be a concern for Jewish students at the University of Georgia, as evidenced by the recent fundraising event and reports of antisemitic incidents.
To address these issues, the University of Georgia Hillel broke ground on a new Jewish centre in April 2022. The new centre, located on Baxter Street, aims to provide a space for Jewish students to connect, foster a sense of community, and feel a sense of belonging on campus. Hillel offers various programs, services, and events that are largely student-led, allowing Jewish students to create and participate in a Jewish community within the university. The new centre is expected to make it easier for more students to get involved and feel welcomed and supported during their time at the University of Georgia.
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Hillel at UGA is a community for Jewish students
Hillel at UGA is part of an international organization of Jewish students on more than 600 college campuses worldwide. Hillel of Georgia oversees the operations and fundraising for two dozen Hillel groups across Georgia universities, including the University of Georgia. The University of Georgia's Hillel group is operated by four full-time staff members who manage day-to-day operations and budgeting, while many of the programs, services, and events are student-led.
Hillel at UGA provides a sense of community for Jewish students, allowing them to connect with other students of their faith through events, religious services, and student fellowship. For some students, Hillel provides a Jewish community that they may not have had access to previously. Hillel offers kosher Shabbat meals and kosher snacks at the Orkin Hillel Center, and there are also kosher dining options available nearby.
The organization is currently in the process of expanding and moving into a new location on Baxter Street. The new building is undergoing extensive remodeling and is expected to offer a modern and inclusive space for Jewish students at the University of Georgia. The vision for the new Hillel Center is to be exceptional and welcoming to all students, with the aim of breaking down barriers and building bridges, according to Jeremy Lichtig, the UGA campus director of Hillel.
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The Jewish student population at UGA is growing
The University of Georgia is witnessing a growing Jewish student population, with over 1,000 Jewish students, according to UGA Hillel. This thriving community is actively involved in fostering Jewish life on campus, with access to kosher meals, social events, and religious services.
UGA Hillel, the local chapter of an international Jewish student organization, plays a pivotal role in nurturing this vibrant Jewish community. Hillel provides a sense of belonging and a platform for students to connect with their faith and each other. Through a variety of programs and activities, Hillel helps students develop their Jewish identities and continue their Jewish journeys.
The construction of a new Jewish center further underscores the growing presence of Jewish students at UGA. The need for a larger and more accessible space was recognized as the existing Hillel house could no longer accommodate the burgeoning Jewish student population. The new center, located on Baxter Street, will offer a modern and inclusive environment, welcoming students from all backgrounds.
Hillel at UGA is committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere, breaking down barriers, and building bridges. It empowers students to take ownership of their programs and activities, fostering a sense of community and participation. The organization's dedication to student engagement and inclusivity is evident in its efforts to provide a home away from home for Jewish students.
The expansion of the Hillel program at UGA speaks to the increasing Jewish student population and their active engagement in shaping Jewish life on campus. With a strong donor base and a successful capital campaign, the new Hillel center will be a testament to the community's dedication to creating a vibrant and enduring Jewish presence at the University of Georgia.
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Jewish students at UGA have a new centre on Baxter Street
Jewish students at the University of Georgia now have a new centre on Baxter Street. The building, located at 360 Baxter St., was purchased in the initial stages of the Hillels of Georgia capital campaign. The campaign aimed to raise $8 million for the UGA Hillel expansion project, with $6 million going towards the purchase and renovation of the space, and $2 million for upkeep and programming. The former Baxter Street Bookstore has been remodelled and reimagined to create a modern space for Jewish students at UGA.
The University of Georgia is home to over 1,000 Jewish students, according to UGA Hillel. Hillel is an international organisation of Jewish students, operating on more than 600 college campuses worldwide. It provides a sense of community and allows Jewish students to connect with others of their faith through events, religious services and student fellowship.
The new centre will offer opportunities for students to embrace Judaism, give back to Athens through community service, and experience a feeling of familiarity at a large university. Hillel staff member, Jeremy Lichtig, commented:
> Any student that wants to come and hang out is welcome. We are a welcoming organisation, we break down barriers and build bridges [...] It is a way to show that Judaism is a part of this community [...] We want to give students the opportunity to live their best lives.
The new location will also make it easier for students to get involved with Hillel, with ample parking available and improved access to bus routes. The centre is expected to open in Fall 2022.
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Jewish students at UGA can access kosher food
The University of Georgia is home to over 1,000 Jewish students, according to UGA's Hillel, a local community of an international Jewish student organisation. UGA Hillel offers Jewish students the opportunity to embrace Judaism, give back to Athens through community service, and experience a sense of familiarity at a large university.
Hillel at UGA is committed to providing kosher food options for Jewish students. They offer kosher Shabbat meals and always have kosher snacks available at the Orkin Hillel Center. With a physical gathering space, Hillel creates a sense of community for Jewish students, enabling them to connect with fellow students of their faith through events, religious services, and student fellowship.
The organisation recognises the importance of kosher food accessibility for Jewish students and aims to make it more widely known and interactive on campus. Hillel's new location on Baxter Street, which was purchased with the support of philanthropists, is currently undergoing extensive remodelling to create a modern and inclusive space for Jewish students.
The new Hillel Centre will continue to offer kosher meals and snacks, ensuring that Jewish dietary laws are adhered to. This centre will be a space where Jewish students can feel at home and connect with their culture and identity. Hillel's commitment to providing kosher food options demonstrates their dedication to supporting the religious and cultural needs of Jewish students at the University of Georgia.
Jewish students at the University of Georgia can rest assured that their dietary needs will be met through the availability of kosher food options on campus. Hillel's efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive environment contribute to a sense of community for Jewish students, allowing them to thrive academically and socially during their time at the university.
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Frequently asked questions
There are over 1,000 Jewish students at the University of Georgia, according to UGA Hillel.
UGA Hillel is the local community of an international Jewish student organization. It offers Jewish students the opportunity to connect with other students of their faith and embrace their Judaism.
UGA Hillel provides kosher Shabbat meals and kosher snacks at the Orkin Hillel Center. It also offers Jewish students a sense of community and the opportunity to give back to Athens through community service.
UGA Hillel is located on Baxter Street, in the former Baxter Street Bookstore. The building was purchased by philanthropists Bernie and Billie Marcus to make Hillel's vision a reality.
The goal of UGA Hillel is to create a vibrant Jewish life on campus for students, helping them develop their Jewish identities and continue their Jewish journeys through various programs and activities.
