Jewish Student Population At University Of Wisconsin: How Many?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a large Jewish student population, with 4,000 Jewish undergraduate students (11% of the undergraduate student body) and 1,000 Jewish graduate students (8% of the graduate student population). The University of Wisconsin is one of the top 60 public universities by Jewish population, and the Hillel Foundation provides a home for 5,000 Jewish students attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The University has a Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator and offers kosher dining options, religious services, and Jewish studies. Despite the presence of a robust Jewish community on campus, there have been reports of antisemitic incidents, including vandalism and disruptions of Jewish student organization events.

Jewish student population at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has a large Jewish student population, with around 5,000 Jewish students enrolled, according to Greg Steinberger, executive director of the University of Wisconsin Hillel Foundation. This accounts for 11% of the undergraduate student body and 8% of the graduate student population.

The University of Wisconsin Hillel Foundation, or UW Hillel, is a pluralistic organisation that supports all expressions of Jewish life and provides a home for Jewish students at the university. They offer a range of services, including kosher dining, religious services, Birthright Israel participation, and mental health counselling. They also run the Adamah Cafe, which provides kosher food and smoothies to students and the wider community.

The Jewish community at the University of Wisconsin–Madison takes many forms, some religious and some cultural, but all are an integral part of the school's history and identity. The community has faced some challenges, including anti-Semitic incidents and stigmas, but it remains a robust and vibrant part of the university.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is ranked among the top 60 public universities by Jewish population, according to the Hillel College Guide Magazine. The university has a range of resources and organisations to support Jewish students, including Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organisations, and the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies.

Jewish student organisations at the University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has a large Jewish student population, with 4,000 Jewish undergraduate students (11% of the undergraduate student body) and 1,000 Jewish graduate students (8% of the graduate student population). The university hosts several Jewish student organisations, including Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organisations, and the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies.

Hillel

Hillel is a pluralistic organisation that supports all Jewish movements as authentic expressions of Jewish life. The University of Wisconsin Hillel, or UW Hillel, provides a home for 5,000 Jewish students at the university. UW Hillel runs the Adamah Cafe, which provides kosher food and smoothies to students and the wider community. Hillel also offers kosher catering to the university and kosher meals at multiple university housing locations. Hillel hosts weekly Friday night services (Reform and Conservative) and dinners during the academic year, as well as a monthly student-led Shabbat morning service. The organisation also provides learning opportunities and cultivates a Jewish community, developing leaders and embodying Jewish values.

Chabad

Chabad is a Jewish student organisation present at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Jewish Greek Life Organisations

The University of Wisconsin–Madison also has Jewish Greek life organisations, which are fraternities and sororities with a Jewish focus.

George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies

The George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies is a Jewish student organisation at the University of Wisconsin–Madison that focuses on academic and cultural programming.

Incidents of antisemitism at the University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) has approximately 4,000 Jewish undergraduate students, making up 11% of the undergraduate student body, and 1,000 Jewish graduate students, making up 8% of the graduate student population. The university has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organisations, and the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies. However, there have been several incidents of antisemitism at the university in recent years.

In 2022, antisemitic messages were found written in chalk on campus on the first day of classes, calling Jewish students "racist" and "genocidal". The university has also documented other antisemitic incidents, including rocks being thrown at a vigil in support of Israel, students disrupting Hanukkah celebrations held by Hillel, and vandalism of the Hillel building. In addition, pro-Palestinian protestors were recorded chanting "Glory to the martyrs" during an October 2023 rally, which was interpreted as promoting violence and led to a federal investigation into the university's handling of the incident.

The presence of an active Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at UW-Madison has contributed to tensions on campus. The SJP chapter has classified Israel as an apartheid state and released statements calling for the university to reject Zionism, equating Zionism with racism and genocide. While free speech and diverse political views are important on college campuses, these expressions have contributed to a climate of antisemitism.

In response to these incidents, the University of Wisconsin-Madison administration has taken several steps to address antisemitism and support the Jewish community on campus. They have made statements in solidarity with Jewish students and worked with campus police to address reported incidents. The university has also clarified protest policies and the consequences for violations of the student code of conduct. Additionally, they have engaged Hillel to facilitate trainings for faculty and staff on antisemitism and the Jewish identity, and they will participate in Hillel's Campus Climate Initiative for the second time.

While the university's efforts to address antisemitism are encouraging, the incidents at UW-Madison reflect a broader trend of increasing antisemitism in Wisconsin and across the United States. According to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, incidents of antisemitism in Wisconsin increased by 459% between 2015 and 2021, with social media, political polarisation, and conspiracy theories contributing to the spread of antisemitic rhetoric and harassment.

Kosher dining at the University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has a large Jewish student population, with 4,000 Jewish undergraduate students (11% of the undergraduate body) and 1,000 Jewish graduate students (8% of the graduate student population). As such, there are several kosher dining options available on campus and in the surrounding area.

Adamah Neighborhood Table

Adamah is Madison's only kosher restaurant, located within the UW Hillel building on campus. It serves high-quality glatt kosher meats, as well as vegetarian and vegan options, including Madison's favourite matzo ball soup. The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, and on Fridays from 10 am to 3 pm. It also offers special event catering, with a range of different-sized rooms available for hire.

Rheta's

Rheta's is a newly opened cafeteria located at Chadbourne Residential College. It offers kosher selections prepared in a separate kitchen, a feature that no other University Housing food service facility has provided to date. The kosher station is open during all weekday lunches, serving freshly made dishes. Although it is closed for dinner, students can purchase kosher frozen foods and beverages from iceboxes next to the station whenever Rheta's is open.

In addition to these dining options, the University of Wisconsin also has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organisations, and the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies, which offer support and community for Jewish students on campus.

Jewish studies at the University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has a vibrant Jewish community, with 4,000 Jewish undergraduate students, making up 11% of the undergraduate student body, and 1,000 Jewish graduate students, making up 8% of the graduate student population. The University is home to a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organisations, and the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies.

The University of Wisconsin offers a Jewish Studies program as a major or certificate, exploring Jewish civilisation from a variety of perspectives. The program is interdisciplinary, allowing students to pursue majors or certificates in other departments simultaneously, including Art, Education, Geography, History, Music, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology. Given the broad history and geography of the Jewish experience, Jewish Studies pairs well with programs like African Studies, Classical and Near Eastern Studies, European Studies, German/Nordic/Slavic Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies.

As a student in Jewish Studies, you will study the intellectual and cultural values of Jews, their religious beliefs and practices, languages, literary creativity, and participation in the larger societies in which they live. The program aims to sharpen your ability to think critically, read closely, and write effectively. While learning about Jewish history and culture, you will gain a deeper understanding of the rich and varied Jewish civilisation.

The Jewish Studies major or certificate can prepare students for a variety of career paths, including education, library and information sciences, finance, international trade, journalism, social work, and the nonprofit sector. Additionally, graduates are well-prepared to apply for law school, graduate school, or rabbinical studies.

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