Jewish at Boston College

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Seems like there were protests at plenty of colleges with larger jewish student populations than BC, which did not have them. (Example, Northwestern, 15-20%, had an encampment.)

The sensitivity about crosses is in the eye of the beholder.

Politically, the campus is largely apathetic, with a few small, very outspoken groups on the far left.

OP, it depends on what your student is looking for. I would suggest a visit for getting a better sense of the vibe. Do the info session with the student panel. Contacting the Hillel sounds like a good idea.

Also, the surrounding neighborhoods in Brighton and Brookline, locations where students who live off campus reside, include significant Jewish communities.

BC did have vandalism of its Hillel and BC students ripped down posters of the hostages.

DP. I was trying to Google this and I could only find news stories of such events at BU, Northeastern, and the Unoversity of British Columbia (UBC). Links?

[Anonymous]

Think about your least favorite politician or celebrity and imagine if a picture of that person was in every single classroom— and rather than argue with me about the analogy just try to learn something from it.

If I went to Trump University and I was offended by the pictures of Trump in every single classroom, I would not say "wow that is so obnoxious, they should take those down just to make me more comfortable and as a sign they want to be welcoming and inclusive".

Instead, I would say, "you know, Trump University isn't right for me, I knew about the affiliation with Trump and the Trump pictures before I even came here, why did I make the poor choice to come here when there were so many other places I could have gone?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Seems like there were protests at plenty of colleges with larger jewish student populations than BC, which did not have them. (Example, Northwestern, 15-20%, had an encampment.)

The sensitivity about crosses is in the eye of the beholder.

Politically, the campus is largely apathetic, with a few small, very outspoken groups on the far left.

OP, it depends on what your student is looking for. I would suggest a visit for getting a better sense of the vibe. Do the info session with the student panel. Contacting the Hillel sounds like a good idea.

Also, the surrounding neighborhoods in Brighton and Brookline, locations where students who live off campus reside, include significant Jewish communities.

BC did have vandalism of its Hillel and BC students ripped down posters of the hostages.

DP. I was trying to Google this and I could only find news stories of such events at BU, Northeastern, and the Unoversity of British Columbia (UBC). Links?

Not seeing any such articles in the student newspaper (bcheights.com)

[Anonymous]

Our Jewish DC is a current student at BC. Exactly zero issues, no antisemitism experienced. Jewish professors for 2 of 5 classes first semester freshman year. Several peaceful vigils for Israel and the hostages in the weeks that followed Oct 7. Took an excellent course focused on conflict in the Middle East last year: very engaged, civil discussion. Does not participate in Hillel but has friends who do. Chestnut Hill/Newton/Brookline have sizable Jewish populations, FYI. Attended a holiday service at Sinai Brookline and found it welcoming

[Anonymous]

My cousin's stepson is a professor at BC and is Jewish. I spent some time with him over the summer and we discussed BC often (my son applied last year, but withdrew his app when he got into his ED pick.) He mentioned nothing about antisemitism at BC (granted, I did not ask - but given that we talked about BC for hours, I think he would have mentioned it if he believed it were an issue.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our Jewish DC is a current student at BC. Exactly zero issues, no antisemitism experienced. Jewish professors for 2 of 5 classes first semester freshman year. Several peaceful vigils for Israel and the hostages in the weeks that followed Oct 7. Took an excellent course focused on conflict in the Middle East last year: very engaged, civil discussion. Does not participate in Hillel but has friends who do. Chestnut Hill/Newton/Brookline have sizable Jewish populations, FYI. Attended a holiday service at Sinai Brookline and found it welcoming

Same poster as 14:21. Forgot to add that DC is very involved in community service at BC and loves that aspect of the Jesuit school experience

[Anonymous]

I don’t know about the undergrad but I went to the law school and it was about 30% Jewish. So it’s not at all hostile to Jewish people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Think about your least favorite politician or celebrity and imagine if a picture of that person was in every single classroom— and rather than argue with me about the analogy just try to learn something from it.

If I went to Trump University and I was offended by the pictures of Trump in every single classroom, I would not say "wow that is so obnoxious, they should take those down just to make me more comfortable and as a sign they want to be welcoming and inclusive".

Instead, I would say, "you know, Trump University isn't right for me, I knew about the affiliation with Trump and the Trump pictures before I even came here, why did I make the poor choice to come here when there were so many other places I could have gone?"

I’m not disagreeing at all. I’m just saying that is a legit reason not to go somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are quite a few Jewish professors at BC, & the area surrounding the campus is heavily Jewish. It’s just not the type of place where antisemitism would be condoned.

Many of the Catholic students there come from ancestry (Irish, Italian, Polish, Hispanic etc) which was harassed. It would be considered very very uncool to turn on Jews there.

This analysis is just nuts.

I understand what they mean. They are point out Catholics that come from immigrant backgrounds whose family members were discriminated against (very much so in their time). The PP is suggesting that their communities/families carry that history with them would not want to be divisive - especially as Catholics choosing a Jesuit order, they are more likely to be inclusive of others.

Uh, hardly! These students’ great grandparents immigrated. Kids of Irish/italian descent do not feel discriminated against. They are not particularly sensitive to discrimination because their great grandparents may have experienced it 🙄

Many Catholic kids come from Democrat families and Catholic schools so in that sense they’re more willing to understand others’ perspectives, hardships and struggles. But, many a Catholic boy have made anti-Semitic comments to each other in “joking” - I hope things have improved and this isn’t the case today. But they can live insular lives in their Catholic towns and at their Catholic schools. That’s reality.

Who’s the bigot again? Look in the mirror

I’m half Catholic and half Jewish, and have been around many Catholic boys throwing around Jewish insults. Just saying.

BC is a good college, but if you’re Jewish there are so many better options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our Jewish DC is a current student at BC. Exactly zero issues, no antisemitism experienced. Jewish professors for 2 of 5 classes first semester freshman year. Several peaceful vigils for Israel and the hostages in the weeks that followed Oct 7. Took an excellent course focused on conflict in the Middle East last year: very engaged, civil discussion. Does not participate in Hillel but has friends who do. Chestnut Hill/Newton/Brookline have sizable Jewish populations, FYI. Attended a holiday service at Sinai Brookline and found it welcoming

Same poster as 14:21. Forgot to add that DC is very involved in community service at BC and loves that aspect of the Jesuit school experience

Thank you - and the PP at 14:26 - for actually answering the Q. Appreciate your time.

Everyone else could just toddle over to Religion or Politics with your unsurprisingly useless “discussion.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BC is a very welcoming place - not super diverse admittedly (neither are most towns in metro Boston, by the way). The community and camaraderie are excellent. Jesuit education is great for lifelong learners and they care about fostering students to become good people who will graduate and live a life that is compassionate to others and helps others. Lots of school spirit for sports. Non-Catholic alum.

Will add here that political or social activism is not part of the school culture at BC. Never a single protest or rally in the time I was there. The student body is predominantly (and selected to be) outgoing, well rounded, open minded kids who do well in school but also have other interests.

Yes - I [b]believe there were crucifixes in classes. They are not huge, they are not revered...they are just there. I didn't feel impacted by them any more than I would feel affected by a mezuzah at every entrance. To me these are no different than having churches, mosques, synagogues in my community.

Via education and my career, I have been part of several college communities. The Jesuit ones at BC and Georgetown were the most explicitly open and welcoming - facing head on the acceptance of all (and with no religious rhetoric - the Jesuits are all about education and learning and caring for each other and the world). At other secular institutions, there was far less care for community and acceptance - only reactionary (and sometimes lack of) responses to "incidents". Little guidance on having students leave with a moral compass.

OP - if your DC loves BC - please let them consider it.

The most salient point made of any of the PPs is how you (and your child) feel about dating outside of your faith and how religious they will want to be. If attending regular services is important, Brighton and Brookline will provide a selection of synagogues and congregations that should be easy to attend using the shuttle, T, or even walking. Newton Campus also has multiple within walking distance. Your child will not be surrounded by many Jewish students but I'm sure they will find them via Hillel.

On that point - reach out to BC Hillel and find some students to talk to. I guarantee you will find students willing to share and gush about their school. It's that sort of place.

We had divestment protests and encampments in my day. Protests are part of the social justice movement and wouldn’t be out of place on campus.

And the crucifix comment is odd. Not revered? Do you think Catholics kneel before every cross? I’m not sure if you’re an alum, but if you are, this is a big misreading of Catholic religion and culture.

I think anyone of any faith would be welcome at BC. I think BC is still pretty provincial - I wouldn’t send a trans kid there for example. But generally welcoming. But spending 4 years on a Catholic campus and not being open to learning about Catholic culture seems weird to me.

I noted this because others comments about a "crucifix being present" was so off base to how that plays out in day to day life in a classroom. It had zero impact.

Are you Jewish? Because it’s not whether people are bowing to a crucifix that’s the issue for some people (obviously not everyone).

Think about your least favorite politician or celebrity and imagine if a picture of that person was in every single classroom— and rather than argue with me about the analogy just try to learn something from it.

I work in a federal building and therefore I have this at work during any 4 yr administration when the president is someone I didn't vote for.

I am not Jewish - but I am also not Catholic. And I am not a practicing Christian either. The crucifixes don't bother me. Neither do other religious symbols that are not meant to foster anything divisive.

You are perfectly entitled not to be bothered by them and BC is perfectly entitled to have crucifixes all over campus. But the implication that anyone who feels otherwise is overly sensitive is just ignorant.

Or that it never fails to surprise me how intolerant and divisive people can be and that they don't open themselves up fully to others. You learn a lot when you listen and you don't make assumptions about people who and customs that are different from you/yours. I choose to expose myself to differences - I get that many don't.

And, I never said anyone is overly sensitive. You are saying that.

Actually you seem to be not very open to listening what others’ experiences are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Seems like there were protests at plenty of colleges with larger jewish student populations than BC, which did not have them. (Example, Northwestern, 15-20%, had an encampment.)

The sensitivity about crosses is in the eye of the beholder.

Politically, the campus is largely apathetic, with a few small, very outspoken groups on the far left.

OP, it depends on what your student is looking for. I would suggest a visit for getting a better sense of the vibe. Do the info session with the student panel. Contacting the Hillel sounds like a good idea.

Also, the surrounding neighborhoods in Brighton and Brookline, locations where students who live off campus reside, include significant Jewish communities.

BC did have vandalism of its Hillel and BC students ripped down posters of the hostages.

And you know it was BC students, how??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our Jewish DC is a current student at BC. Exactly zero issues, no antisemitism experienced. Jewish professors for 2 of 5 classes first semester freshman year. Several peaceful vigils for Israel and the hostages in the weeks that followed Oct 7. Took an excellent course focused on conflict in the Middle East last year: very engaged, civil discussion. Does not participate in Hillel but has friends who do. Chestnut Hill/Newton/Brookline have sizable Jewish populations, FYI. Attended a holiday service at Sinai Brookline and found it welcoming

Same poster as 14:21. Forgot to add that DC is very involved in community service at BC and loves that aspect of the Jesuit school experience

Thank you - and the PP at 14:26 - for actually answering the Q. Appreciate your time.

Everyone else could just toddle over to Religion or Politics with your unsurprisingly useless “discussion.”

Ok - you do realize that BC has a theology requirement and that the options are quite large and cover many religions, right? The classes I chose to take were not about Christianity - I learned a lot. I like to expose myself and be open to learn about others. This is exactly what Jesuits encourage. You are the one being useless and single minded.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe there were any encampments on the BC campus against Jews/Israel.

The MIT and Harvard encampments were allowed to go on for a long time.

The Northeastern encampment was shut down within 2 days, and there were plenty of BU students attending/attempting to camp at Northeastern.

Tufts had an encampment that went on for a long time, almost a month I believe.

The Emerson College protest was allowed to fester (for which they are paying a heavy economic toll due to a drastic reduction in enrollment)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our Jewish DC is a current student at BC. Exactly zero issues, no antisemitism experienced. Jewish professors for 2 of 5 classes first semester freshman year. Several peaceful vigils for Israel and the hostages in the weeks that followed Oct 7. Took an excellent course focused on conflict in the Middle East last year: very engaged, civil discussion. Does not participate in Hillel but has friends who do. Chestnut Hill/Newton/Brookline have sizable Jewish populations, FYI. Attended a holiday service at Sinai Brookline and found it welcoming

Same poster as 14:21. Forgot to add that DC is very involved in community service at BC and loves that aspect of the Jesuit school experience

Thank you - and the PP at 14:26 - for actually answering the Q. Appreciate your time.

Everyone else could just toddle over to Religion or Politics with your unsurprisingly useless “discussion.”

Ok - you do realize that BC has a theology requirement and that the options are quite large and cover many religions, right? The classes I chose to take were not about Christianity - I learned a lot. I like to expose myself and be open to learn about others. This is exactly what Jesuits encourage. You are the one being useless and single minded.

Ok?