In the past year alone, the percentage of Jewish students nationwide who said they feel comfortable with others on campus knowing they are Jewish dropped by almost half. A plurality of Jewish students no longer feel physically safe on their college campuses. Talk to Jewish students at WashU, however, and you will find a community strengthened, not weakened, engaged, not discouraged. Brazenly proud. As this year’s High Holidays have come and gone, WashU students reflect on celebrating the year’s holiest days in a troubling national environment.

Student Union (SU) Treasury heard appeals from 11 clubs and organizations, including Chabad and the Black Senior Alliance, and approved appeals amounting to $57,832.57, Feb. 27. 

Washington University Chabad and Hillel held an event on Monday, Nov. 27 to raise awareness for hostages that were taken by Hamas on Oct. 7. 

Roughly 800 Washington University students and community members gathered for a candlelight vigil organized by multiple Jewish student organizations to honor those who lost their lives in the latest Israel-Hamas War over the past week, Oct. 12. 

When sophomore Scott Massey learned that students wouldn’t be returning to Washington University this semester, his immediate thought was to connect with his campus religious community. One of the main reform service leaders at Hillel, Massey quickly texted Rabbi Jordan Gerson to express interest in creating a form of worship experience over the internet.

Although midterm season may prevent many Jewish students from attending recent holiday services and gatherings, Chabad on Campus found a way to bring festivities to them last week.

After working with Wash. U. students for 17 years, I have observed a striking trend: Students find the most impact and meaning in the activities and communities in which they participate most intensively.

If you ask Chesterfield, Missouri, resident and Holocaust survivor Rachel Miller what to do when confronting those who continue to deny the genocide of the Holocaust, she will give you a very simple answer.

Students, faculty and administrators gathered outside of Francis Olympic Stadium to show support for the victims of Saturday’s shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Chancellor Mark Wrighton released a statement to the Washington University student body in an email later that afternoon. Twenty-two percent of the student body identifies as Jewish, according estimates by Hillel. In his statement, Wrighton directly characterized the attack as one driven by hate.