<p>Although I am really excited and proud of my accomplishment of getting into UNC OOS, and have heard so many great things about it, I still have one reservation. As a jewish kid from NYC (not super observant or anything, but still), I wonder if i would have any problem fitting in because of the small percentage of jews at unc (5%?). Don't get me wrong, its not like most of my friends here are jewish (far from the truth), however i am still concerned that i may feel a little uncomftorable or maybe even "outcasted" or isolated. I know UNC is liberal (at least by southern standards), and is united by its strong love for its tar heels, but would being jewish have any negative impact on my experience..? Any insight is appreciated, thank you.</p>
<p>UNC has a very friendly, active Hillel. Why don’t you look it up and maybe communicate with some of its members?</p>
<p>Anonymous-</p>
<p>UNC is liberal by most standards, haha. You should check out another thread (I’ve forgotten which section) that really explains the extent of liberal influence on UNC’s campus. One student mentioned that she saw 300 in the line to vote for Barack Obama and like 20 for John McCain. Hahaha</p>
<p>However, I’m extremely liberal, so I don’t mind at all. I think you will fit in. :)</p>
<p>the jewish community is actually pretty active! we have jewish greek organizations, a very active hillel, and even a jewish a capella group. also, people at carolina are for the most part extremely accepting of diversity. i know several jewish students, and they’ve never expressed any signs of discomfort or persecution (my family is actually interfaith - one parent jewish and the other christian - as well, although i don’t practice).</p>
<p>Hmm. Well, I don’t practice a religion and I’ve always felt really comfortable telling people. In fact, in my friend group, most of the girls are episcopalian, but they’ve never ever acted like they had any kind of problem with that. In fact, if the subject comes up they usually just ask me how I feel about something out of curiosity.</p>
<p>I feel like UNC isn’t 100% liberal in terms of the students’ views, but I DO feel like, no matter what view a person may have, they’ll leave you alone with yours. The only time I’ve ever felt uncomfortable is when I saw a sign for free hot chocolate during finals, thinking that it was just there… for finals. But it was a campus crusade stand. Then this girl asked if she could ask me some questions, and when I told her my idea of Christmas she didn’t seem super pleased. But I can say I don’t think she wanted to offend me at all, and I didn’t want to offend her, so it was just really… really awkward.</p>
<p>Being Jewish in the south is a funny thing–To some extent, Jews are SO underrepresented that it almost makes it easier to fit in. Because lots of people in the south don’t know any Jews, it’s not really something on their radar, there aren’t stereotypes, etc. You’ll probably meet a good number of in-state kids who have never met a Jewish person in their life. While that may sounds like a negative thing, I think the result is that being Jewish isn’t really something that’s seen as being a big deal in NC, I don’t think you would have any problems. If anything, you’re much more likely to feel “different” for being a northerner than for being Jewish.</p>
<p>With the Northerner thing, it’s not that people will be unfriendly or unaccepting, it’s just that the two cultures are very different, so you might just feel a little out of place or experience some culture shock, especially at first. After a semester or so, this won’t seem like a big deal though.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t have any problems. One of my friends is actually Jewish, and he’s from Long Island. He hasn’t had any problems. His only complaint is that he misses surfing and snowboarding. :-P</p>
<p>UNC is only 5%? sounds low, anonymous…although with such a big school, could be…from what I’ve heard, you should be fine…</p>
<p>Thanks for the reassurance guys, because, UNC is on the top of my list. And yes i do believe the actual number is 5%, according to Hillel website (although it could be wrong?).</p>
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<p>Keep in mind that in the United States, the Jewish population makes up only around 2% of the overall population. :)</p>
<p>I agree with the above posters – there is a vibrant Jewish life at UNC-Chapel Hill. The population is not as gigantic as at other schools, but I don’t think you’d feel out of place at all.</p>
<p>thought…yea, obviously, but given the % at other top publics, i.e. Umich, UCLA, etc, just was a little surprised…but %'s don’t always tell the whole story anyway…absolute #'s are usually more significant…in any event, good luck at UNC anonymous…</p>
<p>true perhaps only 2%, but way more in most of the nations top colleges. haha my mom is worried about dating jewish girls… what would u say is the biggest difference between north and south culture?</p>
<p>As a Jew,( non-practicing)(native LI’er)(married to a catholic non-practicing) living in NC and having lived in the southwest for 13 yrs, I would have to say that a lot of people did not know anyone jewish before me, and a lot of people tried to get me to go to their christian churches. They just didn’t get it…It was very difficult at times, especially around holidays, but there was great opportunity for gently “educating” people. Every Hanukkah my kids each had christian friends over to light the menorah and say prayers. Each got a gift, and they all felt the holiday was magical. It has made my kids feel special to share their differences. Perhaps more so because they don’t know other jews.</p>
<p>I am sure you would encounter a few people at UNC who have not known Jews before, some who might try to convert you at first. But I expect that UNC, with it’s very intelligent student body, diversity is accepted, and you won’t feel different. Now as for the jewish girls and bagels… ( Oh, fyi…many, many of us instate people are actually transplants. I think 75% of the people in my neighborhood in Raleigh are from NY,NJ, Mass, and Fla).
Good luck with your decision! I hope my deferred, now waitlisted, born in Texas, 1/2 Jewish son will meet you at UNC!</p>
<p>A person I do business with here in Dallas has a son who is now a senior at UNC. They are very observant, conservative Jews. His son has thrived at UNC, has been very active in his primarily Jewish fraternity, is very involved in intramurals, Hillel, and even the campus Y. He was one of the finalists if not the winner in last year’s air guitar contest.</p>
<p>I had breakfast with his dad this morning and mentioned your post and asked if his son had had any difficulty fitting in. He unequivocally said no problems at all. He said that it has never been an issue and that he is very sadly counting down the days to graduation in May.</p>
<p>Like anything else, your situation will be dictated by you and what you put into it. Sure it won’t be like going to Penn with its 28% Jewish population but in all honesty that is an extreme as well and certainly doesn’t represent the overall population. FWIW, Duke has a more significant Jewish population and active Hillel as well and I believe that the two groups have some interaction from what I was told.</p>
<p>You will love UNC and Chapel Hill; as long as you don’t try to make the fact that you are from NYC and Jewish an issue, it won’t be one I assure you. One of my son’s closest friends at UNC was Jewish from Forest Hills!</p>
<p>^Lol i guess im not so anonymous after all- how did you know I lived in Forest Hills (unless you just mentioned it), did I put it somewhere? </p>
<p>Anyway thanks for all the helpful insight so far, but if anyone else has anything to say more is certainly welcomed.</p>
<p>I didn’t know it…I was just telling you my son’s story…small world. He also has another very close friend at UNC from Forest Hills who traveled to French West Africa with him one summer.</p>
<p>My father’s sister lived in Forest Hills when I was a kid; first in Forest Hills Gardens then later on Groton St. I spent several weeks to a month each summer visiting my cousin and friends that I’d made there when I was young and have many fond memories of concerts at the old tennis garden etc.</p>