<p>My daughter is interested in applying to Georgetown. Academically, it seems perfect for her, she loves D.C, and she has the grades/scores that make her a strong candidate for admission. Our only concern is that she's Jewish and, whlle not Orthodox, her Judaism actually means a lot to her and she's a strong advocate for Israel. Given Georgetown's small Jewish population, will she feel comfortable there? She doesn't need to go to a school with a predominantly Jewish population, or to have all Jewish friends, but we don't want her to feel like she's the only one. Can anyone shed light on this?</p>
<p>G’town is barely religious. It is Jesuit. Sure, there will be Catholic stuff around, but no one will try to convert your D. I highly doubt your D would feel unwelcomed or uncomfortable. </p>
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she’s a strong advocate for Israel</p>
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<p>Many of us non-Jewish folks are as well. She will find kindred spirits at G’town</p>
<p>See: <a href=“Jewish Life at Georgetown | Campus Ministry | Georgetown University”>http://campusministry.georgetown.edu/jewish/</a></p>
<p>Yeah, there’s an active Jewish presence and population on campus. I’d be more worried if you were Catholic 
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<p>@fogcity’s link indicated around 10-11% Jewish student population at GU. This is similar in size to the Asian, African American, and Hispanic populations: <a href=“http://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/firstyear/studentprofile#Entering”>http://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/firstyear/studentprofile#Entering</a> Class, so percentage-wise I wouldn’t call that “small”. Maybe just in comparison to other top schools which are generally around 30%.</p>
<p>But statistics aren’t everything, I think it would be a good idea to try and get current student opinion if it is a serious concern.</p>
<p>Also, it does not speak necessarily to student experience but there is a Israel Studies institute that offers a minor: <a href=“http://pjc.georgetown.edu/”>http://pjc.georgetown.edu/</a></p>
<p>Catholic policy in general is to view Jewish peoples as people of the book. The Church does not actively evangelize (recruit) Jewish people.</p>
<p>Orthodox Catholics barely consider most American Catholic colleges to be Catholic at all. (Especially the Jesuit ones). Sure, the have the trappings of faith, but they do not actively support Church doctrine.</p>
<p>There should be no issue whatsoever unless seeing the cross in and of itself is upsetting.</p>
<p>Thank you, everyone, for your responses. It’s all really helpful.
We’ve been trying to gather as much information as we can, so if anything else comes to mind, please feel free…</p>
<p>She should be fine. If possible you should visit campus so she can see first hand if she feels comfortable. She will likely see some crucifixes on campus etc. And most Jesuit schools have a core curriculum that includes classes in theology (can often take non-Catholic theology) and philosophy so she has to be OK with that as well. My S went to a different Jesuit school and had friends who were Jewish, Muslim, atheist etc. who were all happy and comfortable there. The Jesuits are there to educate.</p>
<p>My childhood sweetheart was Jewish, and I was Irish-Catholic. We joked about how our colleges were a perfect role reversal: I went to Barnard (>50% Jewish, at the time), and he went to Georgetown.</p>
<p>Here’s a list of the theology courses taught at Georgetown – <a href=“http://theology.georgetown.edu/courses/”>http://theology.georgetown.edu/courses/</a> – it looks like a fascinating array of courses, including several your daughter could take which are focused on Judaism. (Though the course descriptions of most of the offerings look equally intriguing and there are surprisingly few focused on Catholicism) I think students are required to take 2 theology courses. </p>
<p>We plan on visiting in September. As far as the crucifixes go, she understands and is O.K. with that. She would be going to a Jesuit college, after all. (We don’t expect classes to be cancelled on Yom Kippur.
She’s involved in a group that fosters understanding between Jews, Christians & Muslims and she enjoys learning about all. My main concern is that she not feel out of place. She’s a practicing Conservative Jew and there needs to be enough of a Jewish population for her there. She’s been communicating with the Rabbi through email (hopefully we’ll meet her when we visit), and plans on contacting a student or 2.</p>
<p>Thank you all. I really do appreciate you taking the time to give me all this good information.</p>
<p>Given Georgetown’s small Jewish population? Hillel shows 8% of undergrad students are Jewish. That’s not small comparatively. That said, why Georgetown? If you have these concerns, why not stick to the many nonsectarian schools comparable to Georgetown?</p>
<p>It is good to discuss these things and decide if you want them to be part of your life. Events at G’town, such as meals, conferences, graduation will start with a prayer (if not a mass). Letters will be signed with religious words, such as ‘Yours in Christ’ if sent by one of the religious staff or faculty.</p>
<p>They will accept your religion but you have to be tolerant of Catholicism. “Don’t ask, don’t think about it” is alive and well, and while the Jesuits might not want to make a big deal out of some things, when push comes to shove they are going to side with the church, not with any student wanting the school to side with her (Sandra Fluke) . I think you will find they are very accommodating to other religions. Although classes will not be cancelled for Jewish holidays, a Jewish student will be excused and assisted in catching up with work. If a student needed a specific schedule (like no classes on Friday afternoon) I think they would make the accommodations without trouble.</p>
<p>Without going into detail, there are several things that make Georgetown uniquely suited to her talents/interests. That’s why we’re giving it such serious consideration. Again, it would be with eyes wide open. (Personally, I wouldn’t respect them if they had sided against the church and with Ms. Fluke.) As far as being tolerant of Catholicism, why would you think she wouldn’t be? I’m quite familiar with it, grew up with many Catholic kids who went to parochial school (including my best childhood friend), and have a healthy respect and admiration for the values that come with it. Worrying about proselytizing and mentions of Christ is not the issue.</p>
<p>I don’t think that she will have any problem being a Jewish student at GU. While it is a Jesuit school, I think she will find that the students and faculty are extremely respectful of the many religions and cultures which are represented on campus. It won’t be like Columbia, Tufts, Penn or Wash U, which have very large Jewish populations, but she will hardly feel isolated.</p>
<p>Georgetown is an international school that welcomes students of all faith backgrounds. At convocation, parents and students were addressed by Father Kevin O’Brien, SJ who heads ministry at Georgetown along side a Rabbi and I believe a Muslim Imam (not sure if this is the right word). Our daughter has been active in Greek Orthodox campus ministry at Georgetown and has made friends from a variety of backgrounds - not only Christian. I love that Georgetown provides so many options for students of faith. If Georgetown is a good fit for your daughter she will know when she visits campus - here is a campus ministry link which features two Jewish groups that might interest your daughter. Good luck in finding the right school!</p>
<p><a href=“Student Organizations | Campus Ministry | Georgetown University”>http://campusministry.georgetown.edu/studentorgs/</a></p>
<p>I attended a session about faith on campus the weekend of move-in and was so impressed by the diversity of religious thought. As someone who is not into organized religion, I also was worried what my ds was getting into, which is why I attended this particular pull-out session. I loved that the guy leading the session said, “A priest, a rabbi and an imam walk into the room. For most people, that’s the beginning of a joke. For me, that’s the beginning of my staff meeting.” :)</p>
<p>It’s important to remember that one of Georgetown’s founding principles, first promulgated by Bishop John Carroll and subsequently the Jesuits, is that of religious pluralism. I think you will find a very open and welcoming campus, with people of all faiths (or none, as the case may be). From the school’s website: “On any given week, more than 50 different religious services are taking place across our campuses, including Catholic Masses, Muslim prayer services, Orthodox Christian services, Jewish Shabbat services, and Protestant services and Bible studies.”</p>
<p>My $.02, having visited/toured and having sent my Jewish DD to summer HS program there: I would have no problem having my daughter attend (if she got admitted there). There was plenty of religious diversity on campus that the students are free to embrace or ignore as they see fit. </p>
<p>Plus, she’s be living in Washington, DC. Very cosmopolitan. </p>