Unparalleled growth

[Editor's note: This is the second part in an occasional series that will explore the religious lives of university students.]

When senior Abigail Mintz began searching for colleges, her father obtained a copy of Hillel's "Guide to Jewish Life on Campus," which outlined Jewish resources at colleges across the country. For Mintz, who practices Orthodox Judaism, and her family, a strong Jewish presence was "pretty much a requirement" in her college decision, she says.

Her desire to stay on the East Coast, combined with this university's large number of Jewish students and programs geared toward the Jewish community, led Mintz to choose Maryland.

Within the past decade, the university has earned a reputation for having a large, diverse Jewish community and accommodating services that continue to attract prospective Jewish students from around the nation and the world (including such places as Israel and South America), who come with varying religious backgrounds and knowledge about Judaism, said Rabbi Ari Israel, executive director of Hillel.

The Hillel Center for Jewish Student Life recently ranked this university as the No. 1 public university in the country for total Jewish students enrolled, tied with the University of Florida, Gainsville - an accolade students and officials say is representative of growing accommodations for Jewish students.

"This school has become a magnet; it's marketable," Israel said.

Because Judaism is very community-oriented, the size of a community is very important in attracting more community members, said various campus Jewish officials and students. As more members arrive on the campus, even more are drawn to it.

Often the social ties among students are just as or more important than strict religious ties, students emphasized.

Hillel estimates there are more than 6,000 Jewish students on campus, though Jewish Student Union President Zvi Band noted, "The majority of Jewish students are students who will never set foot in Hillel ... or a JSU event.

More than 500 students attend weekly services, though Israel said that includes students who are there primarily to socialize.

"I'm not that religious, but I do show up at Hillel," Band said. "That is where all my friends are. ... Being around Jewish kids is important for me, both for social and dating purposes."

Israel said Hillel estimates they reach about 40 percent of the Jewish population semi-regularly. He also said the university has one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities of any university in the nation. He described the progressive reform Jewish community as "vibrant," with around 30 to 35 members, and the conservative Jewish community contains about 80 members. There are also some Hillel-goers who are not religiously identified.

On the campus, Jewish life encompasses everything from student organizations, such as Jewish-based fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, to the specialized kosher meal plans for students who observe traditional Jewish dietary law. Israel said more 200 students are on the kosher meal plan at Hillel, and even more keep kosher in on-campus apartments or dorms near Hillel.

Off-campus centers, Hillel and Chabad, offer religious services, service groups and other programs such as weekly Shabbat dinners. More than 40 student organizations keep the religious aspect of Judaism in mind and in their missions under Hillel's umbrella, including groups such as the a capella group Kol Sasson.

Kol Sasson, for which Mintz serves as president, accommodates students who observe Shabbat and may abstain from doing any type of work on Saturday.

Rabbi Eli Backman, director of Chabad, said he has seen many changes in the university's accommodation of the Jewish community since moving into his Hopkins Avenue house with his family in 1995 - where he runs the campus Chabad. Traditionally, Chabad houses are run by a family, while Hillel is run by staff members. Growing numbers of Jewish students, as well as vocal support from Hillel and Chabad, have pushed to increase the number of programs geared toward Jewish students.

"The university has made itself very accommodating to traditional students who have slightly different needs at times," Backman said, adding that upon request, Resident Life provides students with keys to use during Shabbat, as many students avoid using electronics then.

Both Israel and Backman noted that many Jewish students come from out of state, particularly from New Jersey and New York, where there are large Jewish populations. Many are also attracted by the Jewish studies major that not all schools offer.

Israel emphasized that while Hillel's main focus is on Jewish students, its mission is far more widespread. "[Our goal is] to inspire Jewish students so that they in turn will enhance their own Jewish identity and enhance the world."

Contact Bethonie Butler at butlerdbk@gmail.com.