Heroes of Our Community
If Student Chaplains did not exist we would have to invent them. I never cease to be amazed by the sheer energy,
dynamism and commitment of our small team of student chaplains whenever I meet with them.
I know how much their work is valued by the Union of Jewish Students at a national level, and indeed by every single
campus J-Soc across the country. Often in small or isolated campuses, the chaplain will be the only link between
Jewish students and the Jewish community, the only source of kosher food, the only sympathetic ear or the only source
of assistance to counter anti-Jewish activity on that Campus.
Our chaplains are the unsung heroes of Jewish student life. Over the course of an academic year hundreds of Jewish
students experience a Friday night Shabbat meal in the home of their chaplain, this often acts as a lifeline –
keeping their Jewish affiliation alive in an environment in which it would otherwise die.
Whenever I travel to communities around the country I try to make a point of spending time with students in the
local community. It never fails to impress me that on each and every occasion I hear nothing but praise from these
students for the work of their own local chaplain. It is significant that often the loudest student advocates for
chaplaincy are those students who are not particularly observant or involved in Jewish life. Campus can be compared
to the last chance saloon of Jewish life. If we are not able to engage with young, thoughtful Jews during their university
life, there is every opportunity that they will be lost to the community for the future. It is our chaplains who
are charged with the task of maintaining this connection and it is the responsibility of the entire community to
ensure that they are properly supported in discharging this immense responsibility.
Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks
March 2003/Adar Sheni 5763
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Chaplaincy
Aims
To retain, strengthen and inspire Jewish identity amongst all Jewish students;
To increase the number, quality and diversity of Jewish activities
on campus;
To increase students’ participation in those Jewish activities;
To provide high quality education in Judaism to as many students
as possible.
Chaplains are there for:
- Student Welfare
- Practical Support
- Educational Resources
- Spiritual Guidance
President
The Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks
Chairman
Ian Myers
Director
Ruth Marriott
Chief Executive
Rabbi Yoni Sherizen
Contact
PO. Box 47824
London NW11 9YA
Tel: 020 8731 7471
Fax: 020 8209 0927
Email: office@jchaplaincy.org
Charity Registration Number: 261324
Supported by the United
Synagogue and the UJIA
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