Founded | 1919 |
---|---|
Type | Student Union |
Location | |
Area served | The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland |
Members | c. 71 Jewish Societies, > 9,000 members |
Key people | Edward Isaacs (President) Arieh Miller (CEO) |
Revenue | 700,000 |
Employees | c. 12 |
Volunteers | 450+ |
Website | www |
Formerly called | The Inter University Jewish Federation |
The Union of Jewish Students of the United Kingdom and Ireland (UJS) represents Jewish students in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is a member of the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) and the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) and an associate member of the National Union of Students, and is represented on the Board of Deputies of British Jews. [1] The President for 2023/24 is Edward Isaacs.
The IUJF (Inter University Jewish Federation) was the creation in 1919 of the Manchester Jewish Association. They saw a growing pride in the Jewish Community and believed it was appropriate for Jewish students to have a national organisation to co-ordinate the activities of Jewish student Societies and represent Jewish students at a national level.
The first step was a conference in Manchester on 17 July 1919 at which four Jewish societies were represented: Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Oxford. Although not represented initially, the London University Jewish Society subsequently took an active and eventually a leading role.
With the rise to power in Germany of the Nazi Party, many Jewish students had their studies disrupted and sought refuge in non-occupied Europe and elsewhere; the International Students Service was in the forefront of providing advice to these displaced students and financial assistance was made available from communal funds. The Federation was active in supporting these efforts; almost £2,000 was raised from University students in Britain.
By 1946, the following Universities had societies affiliated to the Federation, in addition to those already mentioned: Belfast, Birmingham, Cambridge, University College, Cardiff, Dublin, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Reading, and Sheffield.
The two main activities of the Federation, from its inception, were an annual Summer School and an Annual Conference, held in the winter vacation.
Throughout its existence, the IUJF was involved with the Jewish community. It was represented on the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Zionist Federation and had an ongoing liaison with Jewish Youth Study Groups.
For the almost fifty years from its foundation until the creation of the Hillel Foundation, the IUJF had no office, no staff, no sabbatical officers and no assured budget other than money that students could raise themselves. The Federation was run from the rooms of the then Chairman or Secretary; all activities were organized by the students themselves on a voluntary basis; from time to time, small subventions were obtained from the general community.
It was the partnership with which B’nai B’rith set up the Hillel Foundation which provided the IUJF with its first permanent office and its first professional assistance. This enabled the Federation and its successor, UJS, to increase its works.
The organization was renamed UJS in 1973.
As of 2021, UJS represents approximately 8,500 students, with 4,000-4,500 being members of its 69 affiliated Jewish Societies (J-Socs) on individual campuses. [2] Expenditure in 2020/21 was under £1m. [2] It states that its core values are: cross-communalism, peer-leadership, representation and engagement with Israel. [3] Its communal partners and supporters include the Jewish Leadership Council, UJIA and the Community Security Trust. [2]
It provides training and funding for individual J-Socs; campaigns on specific issues; offers members the opportunity to participate in networking events, master classes and a summer placement scheme; runs national events to bring together Jewish students, including the JUEFA Cup football tournament, the UJS training Summit, the UJS Conference, the UJS Student Awards, Shabbat UK and Jewniversity Challenge, and; works with universities to secure Jewish student accommodation and spaces for J-Soc activities as well as sourcing kosher food and students' other religious needs. It also organises a range of trips to Israel. [4]
It has been active within the National Union of Students, including its Anti-Racism and Anti-Fascism campaigns. It has supported the campaigns of Wes Streeting, Aaron Porter, and Shakira Martin for the role of NUS President in 2008, 2010, and 2017, respectively. [5] UJS funds delegations of Students’ Union leaders to visit Israel. [6] [7]
In April 2019, the UJS called on Sheffield University to "take all actions necessary" against a lecturer who had signed a petition in support of suspended MP Chris Williamson. [8] In October 2019, the Union of Jewish Students demanded that the University of Nottingham cancel a planned lecture by Williamson. [9]
The UJS President is elected by Jewish students to represent their voices within the community, universities, colleges and wider society.
Title | Name | Years in office | University | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
President | Sami Berkoff | 2024-2025 | Durham University | |
President | Edward Isaacs | 2023-2024 | Bristol University | |
President | Joel Rosen | 2022-2023 | University of Cambridge, Trinity Hall | |
President | Nina Freedman | 2021-2022 | Bristol University | |
President | James Harris | 2020-2021 | Birmingham University | |
President | Esther Offenberg | 2019-2020 | Birmingham University | |
President | Hannah Rose | 2018-2019 | Bristol University | |
President | Josh Holt | 2017-2018 | University of Nottingham | |
President | Josh Seitler | 2016-2017 | London School of Economics | |
President | Hannah Brady | 2015-2016 | King's College London (BA); University College London (MA) | |
President | Ella Rose | 2014-2015 | University of Nottingham | |
President | Yos Tarshish (Joe Tarsh) | 2013-2014 | Manchester Metropolitan University | |
President | Alex Green | 2012-2013 | University of Birmingham | |
President | Daniel Grabiner | 2011-2012 | University of Leeds | |
Chairperson | Alex Dwek | 2010-2011 | University of Manchester | |
Chairperson | Adam Pike | 2008-2010 | University of Manchester | |
Chairperson | Jessica Truman | 2007-2008 | Manchester Metropolitan University | |
Chairperson | Jonathan Levy | 2006-2007 | University of Manchester | |
Chairperson | Wallace Rosenberg | 2005-2006 | University of Manchester | |
Chairperson | Dan Sacker | 2004-2005 | University of Manchester | |
Chairperson | Mark Ross | 2003-2004 | Queen Mary University of London | |
Chairperson | Alan Senitt | 2001-2003 | University of Birmingham | |
Chairperson | Ashley Hirst | 2000-2001 | University of Manchester | |
Chairperson | Ruth Bookatz | 1999-2000 | University of Manchester | |
Chairperson | Adam Dawson | 1998-1999 | University of Leeds | |
Chairperson | Danny Newman | 1997-1998 | University of Oxford | |
Chairperson | Susie Simmons | 1996-1997 | Manchester Metropolitan University | |
Chairperson | Nick Cosgrove | 1995-1996 | University of Hull | |
Chairperson | David Kaplan | 1994-1995 | University of Glasgow | |
Chairperson | Tony Danker | 1993-1994 | University of Manchester | |
Chairperson | Robert Sumroy | 1992-1993 | University of Cambridge | |
Chairperson | Ian Myers | 1991-1992 | Manchester Polytechnic | |
Chairperson | Howard Silverman | 1990-1991 | Keele University | |
Chairperson | Jonny Mendelsohn | 1989-1990 | University of Leeds | |
Chairperson | Stephen Kurer | 1988-1989 | University College London | |
Chairperson | Paul Frosh | 1987-1988 | University of Cambridge | |
Chairperson | Ashley Harshak | 1986-1987 | University of Newcastle upon Tyne | |
Chairperson | Adrian Cohen | 1985-1986 | London School of Economics | |
Chairperson | Simon Myerson | 1984-1985 | University of Cambridge | |
Chairperson | Matthew Kalman | 1983-1984 | University of Cambridge | |
Chairman | Sam Clarke | 1982-1983 | University of Sheffield | |
Chairman | Sam Jacobs | 1981-1982 | ||
Chairman | Danny Joseph | 1980-1981 | University of Leeds | |
Chairman | Rowel Genn | 1979-1980 | Queens University, Belfast | |
Chairman | David Waxman | 1978-1979 | ||
Chairman | Moshe Forman | 1977-1978 | ||
Chairman | Simon Caplan | 1976-1977 | University of Oxford | |
Chairman | Mark Dines | 1975-1976 | University of Manchester | |
Interim Co-Chairman | Melvyn Kay | 1974-1975 | ||
Interim Co-Chairman | Andrew Jacobs | 1974-1975 | ||
Chairman | Phil Shilco | 1974 | King's College London | |
Chairman | Alan Freeman | 1973-1974 | School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) | |
Chairman | David Bloch | 1972-1973 | University College London | |
Chairman | Rosalind Nysenbaum | 1971-1972 | Queen Mary University of London | |
Chairman | Arnold Wagner OBE [10] | 1970-1971 | Middlesex University | |
Chairman | David Rosenberg | 1969-1970 | University of Glasgow | |
Chairman | Alan Baker | 1968 | University College London | |
Chairman | Gordon Hausmann | 1967 | ||
Chairman | Alan Gold | 1966 | ||
Chairman | Leslie Wagner | 1965 | ||
Chairman | Mike Hunter | 1964 | ||
Chairman | Justin Phillips | 1963 | ||
Chairman | Prof Edgar Neufeld | 1955-1956 | ||
Chairman | Mr Benjamin | 1956 | ||
Chairman | Michael Saltman | 1954 | ||
Chairman | Geoffrey Silver | 1950-51 | ||
Chairman | *Chaim Herzog [11] | 1941-1942 | University College London | |
Chairman | Lionel Stoll | 1933-1934 |
The National Union of Students (NUS) is a confederation of student unions in the United Kingdom. Around 600 student unions are affiliated, accounting for more than 95% of all higher and further education unions in the UK. Although the National Union of Students is the central organisation for all affiliated unions in the UK, there are also the devolved national sub-bodies NUS Scotland in Scotland, NUS Wales in Wales and NUS-USI in Northern Ireland.
The Jewish Agency for Israel, formerly known as the Jewish Agency for Palestine, is the largest Jewish non-profit organization in the world. It was established in 1929 as the operative branch of the World Zionist Organization (WZO).
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) until 2003, founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in North America. The other two arms established by Rabbi Wise are the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. The current president of the URJ is Rabbi Rick Jacobs.
Eric David Fingerhut is an American politician, attorney, and academic administrator, serving as the President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Prior to his appointment at JFNA, he served as president and CEO of Hillel International from 2013 to 2019. Earlier, he served as the corporate Vice President of Education and STEM Learning business at Battelle Memorial Institute, Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, Ohio state senator and member of the United States House of Representatives for one term.
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, also known as Hillel International, is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, working with thousands of college students globally. Hillel is represented at more than 850 colleges and communities throughout North America and globally, including 30 communities in the former Soviet Union, nine in Israel, and five in South America.
Jewish Voice for Peace is an anti-Zionist left-wing Jewish activist organization in the United States that supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel.
Richard M. Joel is a Jewish scholar who was the fourth president of Yeshiva University (YU), a Modern Orthodox Jewish university in New York City. He has written on topics that include Jewish leadership, the BDS movement on college campuses, and civil discourse.
Sheffield Students' Union, officially known as the University of Sheffield Students' Union, is the representative body of students at the University of Sheffield. It is run by a team of thirteen elected officers.
The World Union of Jewish Students is the international, pluralistic, non-partisan umbrella organisation of independent Jewish student groups in 38 countries.
The Jewish United Fund of Chicago (JUF) is the central philanthropic address of Chicago's Jewish community and one of the largest not-for-profit social welfare institutions in Illinois. JUF provides critical resources that bring food, refuge, health care, education and emergency assistance to 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and millions of Jews in Israel and around the world, funding a network of 100+ agencies, schools and initiatives.
The Canadian Federation of Jewish Students (CFJS) or Federation Canadienne Des Etudiants Juifs (FCEJ), in French, was the representative organization of Jewish students across Canada. It was founded by leaders of Jewish student groups across the country in January 2004 in Ottawa and became defunct in 2011.
The Young Greens of England and Wales (YGEW) is the official youth branch of the Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW). All members of the GPEW who are under 30 years old and/or full or part-time students are members of the Young Greens and are allowed to get involved with their activities.
Orthodox Jewish student groups exist at many secular colleges and universities in the diaspora, especially in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The Israel lobby is a term sometimes used to describe individuals and groups seeking to influence the foreign policy of the United Kingdom in favour of bilateral ties with Israel, Zionism, Israel, or the policies of the Israeli government. Such individuals and groups may seek to influence politicians and political parties, the media, the general public or specific groups or sectors.
The Jewish Leadership Council is an organisation in the United Kingdom, founded in 2003, whose declared aim is to forward the interests of the organised Jewish community in Britain. The council was founded by its first chairman, then president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Henry Grunwald, and a number of other senior UK Jewish leaders. The council acts as an umbrella group for various Jewish community organizations, charities, Zionist and pro-Israel advocacy groups.
The Jewish Labour Movement (JLM), known as Poale Zion (Great Britain) from 1903 to 2004, is one of the oldest socialist societies affiliated to the UK Labour Party. It is a member of the progressive coalition of Avodah/Meretz/Arzenu/Ameinu within the World Zionist Organization. Its sister parties are the Israeli Labor Party (Havodah) and Meretz.
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria Inc (JCCV) is the main representative body for Victorian Jewry, representing 52 Jewish community organisations and over 60,000 Victorian Jews. The JCCV's mission is to represent the Victorian Jewish community, the largest Jewish community in Australia, and deal with matters that affect its status, welfare and interests. The JCCV was established in 1938 as the Victorian Jewish Advisory Board. It has been known as the Jewish Community Council of Victoria since 1989 and became incorporated in 2000.
Malia Mazia Bouattia is the former president of the National Union of Students (NUS) of the United Kingdom, elected at the National Conference in April 2016. She was the first female Black British and Muslim leader of the NUS. She attended the University of Birmingham. In March 2017, she was defeated in her attempt to run for a second term in office by NUS Vice-president Shakira Martin.
This is a timeline of LGBT Jewish history, which consists of events at the intersection of Judaism and queer people.
Albert S. Axelrad is an American Reform rabbi, author, educator, and community leader. He fostered the American Jewish counterculture of the 1960s-1980s. He also served as Jewish chaplain at Brandeis University and Executive Director of its B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation from 1965 to 1999.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)