Jewish Student Population At University Of Maryland: How Many?

The University of Maryland is home to one of the largest Jewish student populations in the country, with estimates ranging from 5,000 to 6,500 Jewish students on campus. The Orthodox Jewish community at the university is particularly prominent, with nearly 20% of the undergraduate population identifying as Jewish. This sizeable Jewish presence has had a notable impact on campus life, with residence accommodations and coursework extensions made for Shabbat and holiday observances.

Jewish students make up 19% of the undergraduate population at the University of Maryland

The University of Maryland is home to one of the largest Jewish student populations in the country. With 5,800 Jewish undergraduates, Jews make up 19% of the undergraduate population at the University of Maryland. This number has been reported to be as high as 6,500, or 5,000 depending on the source. The Orthodox Jewish community at Maryland is one of the largest collegiate communities in the US. Over the years, practicing Jews have made an impact on the university at large, with residence accommodations made for Shabbat and coursework extensions for holiday observance.

The University of Maryland offers a robust Jewish life on campus. There are 25+ Jewish student groups, including Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life organizations. Hillel serves approximately 4,000 Jewish students annually, offering leadership training, Shabbat meals, trips to Israel, service-learning trips, lectures, and classes. Hillel also provides kosher dining options and antisemitism training. The Jewish Studies Department offers 37 courses, including 10 Hebrew language courses. The Jewish Student Union (JSU) at the University of Maryland strives to create a space for Jews of all backgrounds and those interested in Jewish culture to come together and celebrate Jewish identity through social events and educational programs.

The Orthodox Union Heshe and Harriet Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC) is another program that helps Orthodox students navigate the college environment and balance their Jewish commitments with their desire to engage with the secular world. OU-JLIC offers many programs and events for Jewish holidays, such as movie nights, BBQs, and Chanukah Deep Fried Everything. They also provide weekly learning opportunities, such as a Cereal Chaburah following minyan and a morning Starbucks Chaburah.

The University of Maryland also offers a Jewish Studies major, which provides broad training in Jewish Studies, with specializations in History, Literature and Culture, and Philosophy. Yiddish, Hebrew, and Israel Studies are important subfields. The program offers two tracks: General Jewish Studies and Language Enhanced. The Jewish Studies program provides undergraduate majors with an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of Jewish Studies and helps students develop important professional skills in close reading, thoughtful analysis, interpretation, and intellectual problem-solving.

There are 37 courses offered by the Jewish Studies Department

The University of Maryland has a vibrant Jewish community, with around 6,000 Jewish students on campus, comprising approximately 19% of the undergraduate student body. The University's Jewish Studies Department offers 37 courses, providing a broad training in Jewish Studies with specialisations in History, Literature and Culture, and Philosophy. The interdisciplinary nature of the Jewish Studies curriculum allows students to develop crucial skills in textual analysis, critical reading, and persuasive argumentation, both in speech and writing.

The Jewish Studies major is structured into two tracks: General Jewish Studies and Language Enhanced. The General Jewish Studies track requires 36 credits and has no second language requirement. On the other hand, the Language Enhanced track requires 39 credits, including six credits at the upper (3xx/4xx) level. This track includes the study of languages such as Hebrew and Yiddish, which can count towards the major.

The Jewish Studies curriculum covers a diverse range of topics, from ancient archaeology to modern politics in Jerusalem, and from biblical narratives to medieval philosophy. Students can explore various areas of interest, including antisemitism, diaspora studies, contemporary Jewish institutions, and the nonprofit world. The University's Meyerhoff Program and Center for Jewish Studies play a pivotal role in promoting research and instruction in Jewish history and culture, from ancient times to the present.

The Jewish Studies Department offers a well-rounded education, enhancing students' understanding of Jewish literary texts, history, culture, and thought. This interdisciplinary approach equips students with important professional skills and a strong humanities foundation. The major can also be combined with another field of study, such as STEM, Business, Journalism, or Education, providing a versatile educational path for students.

The University offers a Jewish Studies Major

The University of Maryland is home to one of the nation's largest and most dynamic Jewish campus communities, with around 6,000 Jewish students, comprising nearly 20% of its undergraduate population. The university offers a Jewish Studies Major, providing broad training in Jewish Studies, with specializations in History, Literature and Culture, and Philosophy. The major has two tracks: General Jewish Studies and Language Enhanced. The former requires 36 credits, while the latter requires 39 credits, including six credits at the upper level. The Language Enhanced track will also fulfill the Global Engagement Requirement of the College of Arts and Humanities.

The Jewish Studies Major is designed to provide students with an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of Jewish Studies. Students will gain an understanding of the chronological development and major themes of Jewish history and culture, examining historical and interpretive problems in core fields. The program offers courses such as "God, Land, Power, and the People: Moral Issues in the Jewish Historical Experience" and "Why the Jews? Historical and Cultural Investigations". Yiddish, Hebrew, and Israel Studies are important subfields, and students can test for Hebrew proficiency through the World Language Placement in Hebrew.

The Jewish Studies Major also encourages research and provides instruction in the rich history and culture of the Jewish people, from earliest times to the present day. Regular course offerings introduce students to the Jewish Bible, the Rabbinic tradition, and modern Jewish literature and languages. The university's faculty strengths include Hebrew and Yiddish language instruction, modern Jewish history, and cultural studies, including film and literature.

The major further explores contemporary issues such as antisemitism, diaspora studies, and contemporary Jewish institutions. These topics are addressed in seminars and lecture courses that foster small student-teacher ratios and lively discussion. Additionally, internships and independent studies provide Jewish Studies majors with additional opportunities to learn in vibrant and relevant ways.

The Jewish Studies Major, with its interdisciplinary approach, serves as a powerful humanities education. It prepares students for a range of careers and a lifetime of intellectual exploration, providing them with humanistic grounding that complements other fields of study they may pursue.

There are 25+ Jewish student groups affiliated with Maryland Hillel

The University of Maryland is home to one of the nation's largest and most dynamic Jewish campus communities, with around 6,000 Jewish students out of a total of 30,246 students. The Jewish students make up 19.2% of the undergraduate population, with 5,800 Jewish undergraduates and 800 graduate students.

Maryland Hillel is a hub for Jewish life on campus, offering a wide range of social, cultural, religious, and educational programs. There are 25+ Jewish student groups affiliated with Maryland Hillel, serving the diverse needs and interests of Jewish students. These groups include:

• Jewish Student Union (JSU): JSU strives to create an inclusive space for Jews of all backgrounds and those interested in Jewish culture. They organise social events and educational programs to celebrate Jewish identity, fostering a sense of community and cultural appreciation.
• Orthodox Union Heshe and Harriet Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC): OU-JLIC is dedicated to supporting Orthodox students as they navigate the college environment. They help balance Jewish commitments with secular life, offering diverse weekly learning opportunities and social events like movie nights, BBQs, and Rosh Chodesh celebrations.
• Kedma: Kedma is the Orthodox student organisation that works closely with OU-JLIC to ensure a rich and accessible Orthodox Jewish life on campus. They collaborate to provide residence accommodations for Shabbat, holiday observance, and exam rescheduling.
• Jewish a cappella groups: Musical expression is also part of the Jewish student experience, with a cappella groups performing at notable venues like the White House.
• Avirah: Avirah is a student group that performs and teaches traditional Israeli folk dance and original choreographies across the campus and at Israeli Dance Festivals on the East Coast.
• Terps for Israel: This group is specifically mentioned as being part of the OU-JLIC and Hillel groups, but no further details are provided.

These groups and communities provide Jewish students at the University of Maryland with a strong support network, enabling them to celebrate their cultural and religious heritage while also engaging with students from diverse backgrounds. The University's Jewish Studies Department further enhances the academic exploration of Jewish history, literature, culture, and philosophy, offering 37 courses and 10 Hebrew language courses.

Hillel International provides antisemitism training at the University of Maryland

The University of Maryland has a large Jewish student population, with around 6,000 Jewish students enrolled out of a total of 30,246 students. This includes 5,800 Jewish undergraduates (19.2% of the undergraduate population) and 800 Jewish graduate students (7.8% of the graduate student population). The Orthodox Jewish community at Maryland is one of the largest collegiate communities in the US.

Hillel International, the world's largest Jewish student organization, provides antisemitism training at the University of Maryland as part of its Campus Climate Initiative (CCI). The CCI is a comprehensive program aimed at ensuring Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identities free of antisemitism, harassment, and marginalization. The initiative is a collaboration between Hillel International, higher education administrators, and campus-based Hillel professionals. The University of Maryland is one of 50 colleges and universities across the US participating in the CCI.

The CCI includes training for university administrators on best practices to respond forcefully to antisemitism when it occurs. The program also focuses on developing an action plan to improve the campus climate and address antisemitism. The University of Maryland's CCI cohort has developed measurable action steps tailored to the needs of its Jewish students to enhance inclusion and address antisemitism as part of its comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

In addition to the CCI, Hillel International works to confront antisemitism on college campuses through a range of other initiatives and programs. They empower Jewish students to speak out against hate and educate broader campus communities to ensure that antisemitism is not tolerated. Hillel also responds to antisemitic incidents, safeguards Jewish students and staff, champions their rights and security, and provides free legal assistance to Jewish students impacted by antisemitism.

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