Boston College for Jewish kid

[Anonymous]

DS is Jewish, but not overly religious. Will he feel out of place at BC? He loves the school, but I worry?

[Anonymous]

Is this his choice? I am a Jew who went to Georgetown and I felt totally out of place. There were plenty of Jews who went to Georgetown who felt completely comfortable. So I would say it depends on your kid. If he has chosen this school himself, chances are he will really like it. I am guessing there is some sort of Jewish organization on campus that he could become involved with to meet other Jews in his position. Is BC near other Boston schools? I know that HarvRd has an amazing Hillel.

[Anonymous]

BC is a great school but as another Jewish parent who is not religious, I would have concerns that your child may be too young to appreciate. A lot of non-observant Jewish kids develop a deeper appreciation for Jewish cultural connections in college. And BC has a reputation for having a certain Catholic cultural campus vibe that may permeate other institutions on campus and alumni networks. I would probe why your DS loves BC and look for other options he may consider that present that same vibe.

[Anonymous]

honest question - if you don't go to an ivy (or equivalent) is that a 'black-mark' in the jewish community?

speaking of hillel's i stayed in a hotel in madison that's next to wisc's hillel and i was blown away by the size of the hillel building. Most impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this his choice? I am a Jew who went to Georgetown and I felt totally out of place. There were plenty of Jews who went to Georgetown who felt completely comfortable. So I would say it depends on your kid. If he has chosen this school himself, chances are he will really like it. I am guessing there is some sort of Jewish organization on campus that he could become involved with to meet other Jews in his position. Is BC near other Boston schools? I know that HarvRd has an amazing Hillel.

I went to Georgetown also. I grew up reformed and never really felt comfortable. But at the Jesuit school, I found my place. I embraced conservative judiasm. I became involved in the Jewish students association, there was no Hilel, starting attending services, and got to explore judiasm in the theology classes.

[Anonymous]

OP, there is only a tiny observant Jewish population at BC, but it's quite visible; there's an active Hillel, one faculty member is a Rabbi who acts as campus Rabbi, etc. See the BC Hillel page (note - this is a link to an external site): http://www.bc.edu/offices/ministry/interfaith/StudentFaithOrganizations/hillel.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:honest question - if you don't go to an ivy (or equivalent) is that a 'black-mark' in the jewish community?

speaking of hillel's i stayed in a hotel in madison that's next to wisc's hillel and i was blown away by the size of the hillel building. Most impressive.

In my experience as a Jew coming from a Jewish community, absolutely not. My Jewish (and non-Jewish) friends and I went to all sorts of colleges, all over the country. There were a few raised eyebrows for people who chose not to attend college at all.

However, there is no grand "Jewish community" for which all members think alike, so another Jew's experience might be different from mine.

[Anonymous]

I am not Jewish and went to a predominately Jewish college. I hated it, always a token outsider. For example, Lots of guys wanted to date a chicks a, but no one who would seriously consider a serious relationship. I ended up gravitating into a small subculture of other non Jewish people and ended up with a bunch of people I didn't have a lot in common with other than religion. None of those relationships lasted past college. I wouldn't recommend it

[Anonymous]

Why not Tufts or Brandeis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:honest question - if you don't go to an ivy (or equivalent) is that a 'black-mark' in the jewish community?

speaking of hillel's i stayed in a hotel in madison that's next to wisc's hillel and i was blown away by the size of the hillel building. Most impressive.

No. I'm from Long Island, a school district that was over 50% jewish, and the majority of us went to SUNY schools.

[Anonymous]

I did one of my graduate degrees at BC, and I was an RA in the dorms, plus I taught a freshman course. My DS goes there now.

There was a Jewish presence on campus, and I was even invited to a chocolate seder. I did not get an overtly religious vibe from ANY students, and I knew a lot of undergrads. The Irish Catholic thing is more of a culture identity for some kids. BC is very diverse, and your kid will love it.

[Anonymous]

Has he looked at BU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has he looked at BU?

That was my first thought too. I am a BC alum. The Jesuit vibe is strong there. I'm not sure a practicing Jew would feel comfortable but perhaps your son might if you are not as observant. Personally I enjoyed the Catholicism at the school but I suppose if you didn't seek it out, you could try to ignore it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has he looked at BU?

Not a comparable school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:honest question - if you don't go to an ivy (or equivalent) is that a 'black-mark' in the jewish community?
.

Seeing as there are approx 5 million Jews in the US, all of us going to an Ivy League would be challenging.

Also, re the "Jewish community" it would be Challenging to develop a 5 million member "community" with any sense of, well, community.