Leaving the JDS bubble

For most JDS students, the thought-process of determining what role Judaism will play in their lives in college starts when completing the Naviance Junior Conference Survey in junior year.

There, students consider whether they desire a Kosher meal plan in their respective campus dining halls, live near a Hillel or Chabad or if they seek a large Jewish community on campus.

In a recent survey of 73 juniors and seniors, 51 students said they prioritize having Jewish life on campus while 22 said they do not.

Director of Jewish Life and alumna Shoshanna Schechter (‘98) believes that students often feel they “need to exhale a bit” since they have “[had an] intense [Jewish education]” and that it is acceptable to have a break.

“Sometimes people come out [of JDS] ready to lead their Hillels. Sometimes people come out [of JDS] and they want a break, but [they] come back later,” Schechter said.