Jewish Student Population At Washington University: What's The Number?

Washington University in St. Louis is known for its thriving Jewish community, with Jews making up approximately 25% of the undergraduate population. The university has a strong infrastructure to support Jewish life on campus, including kosher dining options, Jewish student organizations, and academic accommodations for Jewish students. The university's Hillel chapter plays a significant role in fostering Jewish pluralism on campus and creating a supportive environment for Jewish students. The large Jewish population at Washington University has led to a perception of a majority minority on campus, and the university's response to antisemitism has been an ongoing discussion.

Washington University's Jewish student population is around 25%

Washington University in St. Louis is home to a thriving Jewish community, with Jewish students making up around 25% of the undergraduate population. This percentage translates to approximately 1,850 Jewish students enrolled at the university, making it one of the most Jewishly populated universities in the country. The significant collective voice, resources, and institutional support have contributed to a vibrant and supportive Jewish community on campus.

The large Jewish student population at Washington University has a long history and has grown tremendously over the decades. The university's strong academic reputation has attracted a diverse pool of applicants, including a significant Jewish contingent from various geographic regions. The university's ability to support flourishing Jewish life on campus has been a significant draw for observant and secular Jewish students alike.

Washington University provides various resources and accommodations to support Jewish religious life and practices. The university has a kosher kitchen in a main dining hall and is familiar with the needs of Shabbat-observant students. It also offers a Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies department for students interested in pursuing Jewish studies academically. The administration is receptive to the needs of Jewish students, as evidenced by their rescheduling of fall course registration to avoid a conflict with Pesach.

In addition to institutional support, Jewish life at Washington University is enhanced by two off-campus organizations: WashU Hillel and Chabad on Campus. These organizations play a crucial role in fostering ritual and community and advocating for Jewish students. Hillel, in particular, has been instrumental in supporting and empowering Jewish students, offering a range of programs and services, including social justice initiatives, Birthright Israel trips, Shabbat and holiday meals, Israel engagement, Jewish learning, and social events.

Despite the strong Jewish presence and support at Washington University, concerns about Jewish safety and antisemitism persist. The conspicuous density of Jews at a wealthy, predominantly white institution can lead to the messy conflation of Jewishness, class privilege, and perceived power. Jewish students may find themselves grappling with internalized antisemitism and the challenging task of distinguishing between "actual" and "perceived" threats to their safety.

In conclusion, Washington University in St. Louis boasts a vibrant and diverse Jewish student population, comprising around 25% of the undergraduate community. The university and external organizations provide extensive support and resources to foster a thriving Jewish life on campus. However, the Jewish community also navigates complex dynamics of power, privilege, and safety within the broader context of rising antisemitism.

The university has a Hillel and Chabad on campus

Washington University in St. Louis has a Hillel and Chabad on campus, both of which play an important role in fostering Jewish life and community among students. Hillel, in particular, seeks to support and empower Jewish students, helping them connect with one another, and with Jewish culture and traditions.

Hillel at Washington University offers a wide range of programs and activities to engage students, including social justice initiatives, Birthright Israel trips, Shabbat and holiday meals, Israel engagement, Jewish learning, social events, religious services, and DIY opportunities for students to gather for meals with friends. Hillel also provides kosher dining options and has a Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator on staff.

The Hillel chapter at Washington University is part of Hillel International, connecting it to a vast network of Jewish college students worldwide. It serves approximately 1,850 Jewish undergraduates, which is around 24% of the undergraduate population. The Hillel chapter also engages students from other universities in the St. Louis region, and during the 2022-23 academic year, it reached almost 2,500 students, including over 1,000 Jewish undergraduates.

Chabad also has a presence on campus, further contributing to the vibrant Jewish community at Washington University. Both organizations provide a sense of belonging and a place for Jewish students to connect with their faith and traditions, enhancing their overall campus experience.

Jewish students have transferred to the university due to antisemitism at previous institutions

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) has approximately 1,850 Jewish undergraduate students, making up about 24% of the student population. The university offers Jewish student life on campus, including a Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life organizations.

In January 2024, a number of Jewish students enrolled at the university as mid-year transfer students, citing feelings of unsafety due to antisemitism at their previous institutions. This was the first time in recent history that students were accepted between semesters. Several of these students shared that they faced antisemitism at their previous colleges, with one student stating that they felt like an “outcast” due to their political views and Jewish identity.

One anonymous first-year transfer student shared that they had attended a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter meeting out of curiosity but felt uncomfortable when the meeting began with a prayer that called for the elimination of the Jewish people. The student also mentioned feeling that their previous school administration was taking sides and was asked to remove their Jewish star necklace and kippah for their safety.

Another student, sophomore Lauren Eckstein, shared that she had transferred from Pomona College due to feelings of unsafety and discomfort with her Jewish identity and views on the Israel-Hamas conflict. She became aware of WashU's transfer program through a Facebook page called "Mothers Against College Antisemitism" (MACA).

WashU's pilot transfer program was open to any student interested in transferring to the School of Arts & Sciences and was publicized through various channels, including emails, the Common App website, and College Confidential, a site offering advice to prospective students and parents. The university's supportive Jewish community was highlighted in these communications, with one post reading:

> WashU is about 25% Jewish and has been outstanding to their community during these difficult times. They have both a Chabad and Hillel and a Chancellor who truly cares about all students.

The university's administration has also demonstrated its commitment to addressing antisemitism on campus. Chancellor Andrew Martin issued statements denouncing the Hamas attack, condemning antisemitism and Islamophobia, and expressing concern over antisemitic phrases chanted and written on signs during on-campus gatherings. Additionally, the university has mandated antisemitism education for its campus community.

The university has a kosher kitchen in a main dining hall

Washington University in St. Louis has a significant Jewish student population, estimated at around 25% of the undergraduate body. The university has a strong infrastructure to support Jewish life on campus, including a kosher kitchen in a main dining hall.

The kosher kitchen has been in operation since 2010, catering to the needs of observant Jewish students who depend on the university to facilitate halakhic lifestyles. The availability of kosher dining options is a result of the collective power and voice of Jewish students on campus, who make up a substantial portion of the undergraduate population.

The kosher kitchen is just one example of how Washington University actively supports Jewish life. The university has a Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies department for students interested in Jewish studies. The administration has also shown their support by accommodating religious observances, such as rescheduling course registration to avoid a conflict with Pesach.

In addition to the kosher kitchen, the university offers a range of other amenities and accommodations for Jewish students. These include "shabbos keys" for Shabbat-observant students who need non-technological access to their rooms on weekends, as well as Jewish Greek life organizations and groups like Hillel and Chabad.

The presence of a kosher kitchen in a main dining hall at Washington University reflects the institution's commitment to meeting the dietary needs of its significant Jewish student population and fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for them.

The university has a Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies department

Washington University in St. Louis has a Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies department (JIMES), which is devoted to the study of the history and cultures of the Near East, and of the Jewish and Islamic civilizations, both individually and comparatively. The department offers an integrated curriculum that provides a focal point for cross-cultural academic exchange, highlighting the shared experiences and mutual influences of the two civilizations while paying close attention to the historical context of social change and cultural production. The interdisciplinary approach to teaching Jewish and Islamic studies helps students develop a holistic and nuanced understanding of complex global issues.

The JIMES department is unique among North American universities in its comprehensive scope, encompassing Jewish studies, Islamic studies, Arabic, Hebrew, and Hindi. The department's integrated curriculum facilitates cross-cultural academic exchange, fostering a profound understanding of the shared experiences and mutual influences between Jewish and Islamic civilizations. This approach is enhanced by the faculty's diverse research and teaching methodologies, offering courses in language, literature, history, religion, politics, and culture.

For undergraduates, the JIMES department offers two types of majors: Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies (JIMES) and Language and Culture. Within the JIMES major, students can choose from three tracks: Comparative Jewish and Islamic Studies, Islamic Studies, or Jewish Studies. The language and culture major offer two tracks: Arabic Language and Culture or Hebrew Language and Culture. Additionally, the department provides six minors, including Arabic, Hebrew, and Hindi languages and literatures, as well as comparative religious studies.

The graduate program in the JIMES department offers two terminal master's degrees: Jewish Studies and Islamic and Near Eastern Studies. While there is currently no home-based PhD program, graduate students can benefit from the department's encouragement to participate in the WashU study abroad program. The University has partnerships with institutions such as the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the American University in Cairo, and the University of Haifa, providing diverse educational opportunities for its students.

The JIMES department at Washington University stands out for its commitment to exploring the historical experience, literary, religious, cultural expression, and political and material life of Jewish, Islamic, and Near Eastern civilizations. Through its interdisciplinary approach and focus on cross-cultural understanding, the department equips students with a nuanced perspective on global issues, making it a valuable asset to the university's academic offerings.

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