<p>I just visited the campus and interviewed today, and absolutely fell in love with it. However, there is one question which is still weighing on my mind. I am not Jewish, and I am aware of the schools heavy Jewish population and identity. So much so, that when I tell people I want to go to Brandeis, the first question is always “Why?” So, my question is: how is life for non-jews at Brandeis? Is the Jewish presence noticable, and is there an exclusion factor, since it is a small school to begin with?</p>
<p>i have heard estimates of Brandeis being between 40-50% Jewish. That means that about half are not Jewish. With respect to those who are Jewish, their backgrounds range across a very wide spectrum -- from very religious observant Jews to those for whom Judaism is merely an identifying family label with everything in between.</p>
<p>When Brandeis was built, they built 3 chapels -- not just a synagogue. Those 3 were built so that none casts a shadow on either of the other two. That was a very deliberate statement about Brandeis' position on the acceptance of different religions -- and they were built at a time when Brandeis was much more predominantly Jewish than it is today.</p>
<p>Jewish culture will be much more prevalent than at other schools - the school is closed on holidays you may never have even heard of. If you eat in the Sherman dining hall (the traditional all you can eat cafeteria that has a separate kosher line) you are likely to see more men wearing kippot (skull caps) than you've seen your whole life -- but unlike other schools with kosher dining facilities, they're there in the regular dining hall, often mingling with their non-Jewish classmates (the kosher line is separate for getting your food, but students can then sit anywhere - i've known observant Jews who have chosen to attend Brandeis for the very reason that they can be observant without having to isolate themselves from others). </p>
<p>Some people who are so used to their own culture being the dominant one that they don't even realize it, can find this takes some getting used to -- but is that a bad thing? Jewish students at virtually every other college live in an atmosphere in which their culture is not prevalent. Should an approximately 50-50 split make a non-Jew feel uncomfortable? I think you really need to examine your own feelings to reach a conclusion as to how it would make you feel.</p>
<p>^brandeismom, good response (to a question that seems to come up time and again, on this forum), especially the fourth paragraph which pretty much sums up the issue, IMO.</p>
<p>it's pretty annoying when people bring it up.
there is plenty of diversity on campus. yes, there are jews. but there are jews everywhere. </p>
<p>think of it this way: BOston College is more CATHOLIC than deis is Jewish.</p>
<p>Thank you for your responses. I already have made my decision to apply, but the culture difference was a source of concern to my parents; your responses are very reassuring. I don't feel I'll have any problems at Brandeis, but this certainly goes a long way towards convincing my parents that I won't be the odd man out or anything like that.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind (many people easily lose sight of this): Brandeis is both officially and in practice a 100% secular school.</p>
<p>You will not be required to take religion classes, attend services or activities, etc.</p>
<p>The education you receive will be a well-rounded liberal-arts education, not a Jewish one.</p>
<p>Jews are in the minority at every school other than Brandeis and Yeshiva University--and yet there are very few schools where Jews feel unwelcome or isolated. They are just used to being a minority. If you never experienced being a minority, it will be a worthwhile educational experience.</p>
<p>It's already been said, but it is often misunderstood. Unlike many universities (Boston College, Notre Dame, Georgetown, SMU, TCU, Brigham Young---just to name a few)--Brandeis is not a religious affiliated institution but is instead a non-sectarian, secular one that happens to have been founded by Jews. It receives a lot of voluntary support by the Jewish community, attracts a large number of Jewish students, and accommodates Jews with the schedule and availability of Kosher food--but it is not a Jewish institution.</p>
<p>I perhaps should add that Harvard and Yale were founded by and for Puritans (Congregationalists today), Princeton by Presbyterians, Brown by Baptists, Duke by Methodists----Brandeis is really no different from them.</p>
<p>People ask this question because there is this impression that Brandeis is the BYU of Judaism. Obviously, it isn't.</p>
<p>byu of judaism would be Yeshiva.</p>
<p>i would actually say about 45% are jewish, 20% christian, 5% hindu, 10% muslim and 20% atheist/humanist</p>
<p>Doug, last year my (non-Jewish) d visited the campus, fell in love with it, and decided to apply.</p>
<p>She began Freshman year about 2.5 weeks ago. She loves it so much, she hasn't even called home for cash. In fact, so totally engaged was she, she even forgot my birthday (ok - so she did manage a facebook post before midnite).</p>
<p>She reports the coursework is demanding, but crazy engaging. The course readings are insane, but she loves all her profs. Apparently no one in her dorm goes to bed before 1am, as social activities have been running to the wee hours. To the disgust of veteran players, she reports she has discovered a new talent in poker. Although in h.s. she had a budding interest in SCA sword fighting and Brandeis recently gained a Olympic silver-medalist alum in fencing, she's opted to skip the fencing scene for a dizzying array of other extracurriculars.</p>
<p>In an apparent little-known mind-meld phenomena, all sophomores jump into the pond for a impromptu swim when it rains cats and dogs in September. The food is edible. The people are fascinating. Boston rocks.</p>
<p>That's all I got. Glad 2 hear you've decided to apply, and I sure hope I haven't dissuaded you. <em>smile</em></p>