<p>Can anyone tell me about Jewish life at W and M? I know there is a Hillel, but what is Jewish presence like?
Also, does the campus feel like a Southern school, or more Northeastern?</p>
<p>My Jewish friends on campus all seem to love the Hillel group on campus. There isn’t a huge Jewish population but it is pretty sizable and W&M Hillel is very active.</p>
<p>To answer your second question, W&M does not feel like a typical southern school. I would say that it’s more northeastern especially since there are tons of students from New Jersey, New York, and other northeastern states.</p>
<p>As already stated, the Hillel organization is super active. They tend to hold regular Friday-night services as well as events for all of the major holy days. They generally hold a Passover Sedar open to the entire campus and in years past, W&M’s President has attended. Hillel has an events page and a blog at [William</a> and Mary Balfour Hillel](<a href=“http://wmpeople.wm.edu/site/page/hillel/home]William”>http://wmpeople.wm.edu/site/page/hillel/home)</p>
<p>There also used to be a Jewish sisterhood but not sure that group is still active.</p>
<p>Because W&M attracts students from 48 states and 43 countries, there isn’t one pervasive culture or feel to the campus. Williamsburg itself is in a very transient area (lots of military families) so there’s no one distinct culture native to Southeastern VA. You’ll meet students here from Southern backgrounds, urban backgrounds, rural backgrounds, and international backgrounds all of which contribute to a very dynamic and cosmopolitan experience.</p>
<p>^Thank you for your prompt and thorough response!</p>
<p>just another vote for active Hillel with very nice people.</p>
<p>W&M obviously has a wide variety of people, but a strong number of them come from northern va (which is a lot more like the northeast than rural virginia), and NJ/PA/MD/NY are all well represented. It definitely doesn’t feel southern like an Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, or USC (carolina, not california). The campus feels like a private NE school, IMO, especially on old campus. Only a lot warmer.</p>