<p>My Jewish son is thinking about applying to Fordham this fall. Being Jewish is, for him, an ethnic identify. He is not religious at all.</p>
<p>I wonder if Fordham is a right environment for him, given the Jesuit origin.</p>
<p>Your input will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>All the Jesuit schools have students of many different religions. The core requires some religious studies courses, but they are not proselytizing. Fordham has a Jewish Student Organization. The possibility that he would find a Catholic girl and ultimately end up converting is a valid concern :). Otherwise, the religion question is probably not an issue.</p>
<p>I would agree. The Jesuits are educatiors and the school is not used to push the Catholic religion on anyone. My S would say that the biggest influence of the Jesuits is the large core curriculum. My S has a very good friend who is Jewish and it isn’t a problem for her (but her boyfriend is Catholic). Of the two religion classes,one is required (and the content seems to vary based on the prof.) and the other is an elective so there are classes like The Old Testament, Religions of the World to pick from. If your S likes to be with a lot of Jewish kids, it may be an issue because there are just not that many. However, if that is not a problem I would say that it certainly is worth looking at Fordham. You will get a good feel for your comfort level at Fordham (or any school) by visitng the campus. Good luck with the search.</p>
<p>lizmane – Have you checked this page from the Fordham website?</p>
<p>[Jewish</a> Faith](<a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/mission/mission_and_ministry/campus_ministry/campus_ministry_at_f/religious_traditions/jewish_faith_72037.asp]Jewish”>http://www.fordham.edu/mission/mission_and_ministry/campus_ministry/campus_ministry_at_f/religious_traditions/jewish_faith_72037.asp)</p>
<p>There are not only MANY Jewish students at Fordham (who LOVE IT by the way!) but also many Jewish FACULTY members. MY D1 has had 4 Jewish professors, all of whom were fabulous and two of whom are now mentors! OUTSTANDING people. There is NO ISSUE for Jews at Fordham. None. They are welcomed on the same footing/stage/credentials as any other student. Fordham has Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Atheists, as well as Orthodox Christians and Protestants. </p>
<p>Fordham has a LONG history of serving the Jewish community, with welcome arms.</p>
<p>Oh…and on the interfaith dating thingie…well that depends on the individual students. There are many who choose to do so and work through their cultural/religious differences. There are some who prefer to stay within their own circle of comfort. Neither position is right or wrong, it just is. Nobody will force your kid to date a Catholic or Christian or any person. Nobody will judge you for dating whom you love. Fordham is very accepting. </p>
<p>My D1 has several jewish friends and is proud to consider them mench.</p>
<p>Yeah the only problem would be if he wants a large jewish population. Although he wouldn’t be alone, that’s for sure.</p>
<p>thank you very much for your replies.</p>
<p>It’s not like he was looking for a large Jewish student body. The concern was more about how open minded the school and the majority Jesuit/Catholic student body is toward any other religion or non-religion. </p>
<p>Regarding dating… We are on no high moral ground to insist that he dates within his faith - though we chose to raise our kids Jewish, we are multi racial, multi faith family. As long as they avoid religious fanatics of any kind, we are cool. The party line between me and my husband is, moderate Muslim in laws are preferable to in laws who are militant West Bank settlers :)</p>
<p>That being said, I think you should certainly consider Fordham.</p>
<p>I am Jewish at Fordham. I think I have met more Jews than Catholics, really. No one religion (whether Catholic or Muslim or anything else) has been pushed upon me.</p>
<p>I am currently a memeber of RHS and a sophmore here at Fordham and I am also Jewish and non-religious. I did not have any worry going into Fordham because I knew being Jewish or not would not be a problem. I have met many other Jewish kids and also have 2 friends who are in the same boat as me. Your son should not be hesitant at all because of that, don’t worry.</p>
<p>My husband was a non-religious Jew who attended Fordham. He loved it! He met and married me, a Catholic girl, though, so keep that in mind. 
We were married in the University Church by our favorite Jesuit, who never so much as blinked an eye at our different religions. He also directed our pre-cana studies (required preparation for marriages in the Catholic Church), which were quite fascinating. :)</p>
<p>^^^ kudos to you two, PMcMScot! Bravo!</p>
<p>As a Catholic with a secular education, I can vouch for the very liberal view of the world of the Jesuits. Jesuits take a theologians view of religion - they see it as something to discuss and debate, even advocating taking opposing opinions to argue (which is why so many Jesuit schools have great debate teams and law schools!).</p>
<p>Plus, Fordham is in “da Bronx” - rather hard to be closed-minded living in New York! And the Bronx has a large Jewish community, particularly in the Riverdale section, so your son will see decorations for Chanukah on a par with Christmas trees, and get the greatest bagels in the country. Of course, having gone to college myself in the Bronx, don’t be surprised if he also learns words to Christmas carols from his Christian friends, etc. - 35 years later, my Jewish friends from college still come to my house every Christmas to celebrate and take turns playing Santa for our kids! (and, in turn, I know the questions to ask at their seders).</p>
<p>Good luck to him!</p>
<p>I was married by a Jesuit in a university chapel (at Fairfield University) also to a non-Catholic. He didn’t even blink! And like you, his assistance with the marriage prep was priceless!</p>
<p>I’m a sophomore at Fordham and Jewish. I’m not religious at all either. To be honest, I have only met the few odd Jewish students, not that many… but I haven’t sought them out either. In my experience there is a LARGE majority of catholic people, but all of my friends are extremely open minded and we can talk all about religion and it’s never a problem. I love the Jesuits… and I love studying religion… however, I WAS the only jew/athiest in my religion class (which I didn’t get to choose). My teacher was Presbyterian and so he taught the class through that perspective (I know other teachers teach it differently), but I spent a large part of that class debating as the only one on my side. It was tough, but kind of fun and I got a good grade. If your son wants a Jewish community, I’m sure he can seek it out with success… I didn’t though and have still had a good experience.</p>