Jewish Life / Religous Diversity

<p>I know Middlebury has a very small (if that) Jewish community. It's something that's important to me in college, but I fell in love with the school when I visited and I don't want to give it up just yet. How is the religious diversity at Middlebury? How is the Jewish community? I'm a current high school senior. I attended a Jewish day school for middle school and am currently active in my USY chapter. I wouldn't call myself religiously observant, but I have been to Israel three times and plan on taking a gap year in Israel. If anyone has any information on the Hillel, Jewish life for non-observant Jews, or attitudes towards Israel on campus, that would be great. Thanks!</p>

<p>Not sure whether this will be helpful or not, but two of my best friends at Middlebury were (are) jewish. I never thought of them, however, as “jewish”. They were just “my buddies”. Religion was never what defined them. That’s how I think it is at Middlebury. You’re not defined by the boxes in which our greater society would like to place you. You’re defined by your interests and the things you do. If your interests are limited to your religion, then you will be defined that way, but overall I’m sure you’ll be perceived by how engaging you are, or how active you are, what things excite you. Not sure whether that will give you a better picture of life at Midd or not, but like any small community, people will get to know you as a whole, not just by one unique aspect of you.</p>

<p>I know I did read in the Middlebury Campus newspaper (May 6, I think----I don’t know how to patch in links to CC) that 7 members of Middlebury Hillel went to Israel on the Birthright program this summer. That seemed like quite a few to me and a number of others applied.</p>

<p>Here is a link to the Hillel website. While there is a newsletter, it seems it hasn’t been updated online since 2005. However, there is a place where you can contact current board members or the Rabbi and I would strongly suggest you contact some members for some direct answers. There has never been one person to whom I’ve asked a question or made an inquiry who hasn’t been extremely generous with their time in answering them. With a designation of a “school that runs like butter” I can also attest that my son has always gotten very good direction when he’s needed it. So… don’t be shy about asking. I honestly think your initial post is a perfect introduction where you can say you are strongly considering the school and would just like to know more.</p>

<p>[Middlebury</a> Hillel](<a href=“http://community.middlebury.edu/~hillel/index.htm]Middlebury”>http://community.middlebury.edu/~hillel/index.htm)</p>

<p>Also, here is a recent (Spring 2010) article from the Middlebury Campus (newspaper) you might find interesting.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.middleburycampus.com/2010/04/07/religion-realized-hillel-facilitates-the-merger-of-jewish-faith-and-culture/[/url]”>http://www.middleburycampus.com/2010/04/07/religion-realized-hillel-facilitates-the-merger-of-jewish-faith-and-culture/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I’m pretty sure hillel meets every week… not sure how many people go, but a couple of my good friends are in it and say its awesome. And Middlebury has a college rabbi in addition to the chaplain.</p>

<p>I’ve heard that approximately 10% of Middlebury students are Jewish–That’s around 240 students.</p>

<p>When my daughter visited Middlebury last spring she spent some time at the Charles Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life. [Ira</a> J. Schiffer | Middlebury](<a href=“http://www.middlebury.edu/studentlife/services/chaplain/staff/ira]Ira”>Our Staff | Middlebury)
It seems to be a very nice facility with lots of resources that are used to support activities of all the religions represented on campus. My daughter is a Baha’i and was interested in finding out about Baha’i activities on campus (there are none) but in the course of her investigation she had a nice chat with Rabbi Schiffer. With a full time Rabbi on campus, it seems there is commitment to supporting Jewish student life and in general the college seems very supportive of minority religions. She was told she could easily set up clubs or activities and the center would support her. (BTW she deferred a year and will be attending class of 2015)</p>