Jewish life on campus
At the University of Surrey, we are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for Jewish students. Jewish life on campus is a vibrant and supportive community that offers a range of resources and activities for students to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity.
Jewish Chaplaincy
The Jewish Chaplaincy at the University of Surrey provides pastoral care, support and hospitality to Jewish students and staff living, studying and working on campus. Rabbi Alex is available to offer guidance, advice, and spiritual counsel to students from all backgrounds. He works full-time at the University and in addition to his pastoral role runs several classes on Judaism and Jewish-related topics.
- Email: alex.goldberg@surrey.ac.uk
Open and pluralistic community
The University of Surrey welcomes students from all denominations of Judaism. There are ten different Jewish denominations represented on campus, including Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Liberal. Our community is open and pluralistic, offering a safe and welcoming space for students of all backgrounds.
Friday night dinners and Jewish festivals
The University of Surrey celebrates Jewish festivals throughout the year, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and Passover. We also hold regular Friday night dinners where students can come together to share a meal, socialise, and celebrate the start of the Sabbath.
Jewish Common Room
The Jewish Common Room is located at the Roundhouse Religious Life and Belief Centre, which provides a dedicated space for Jewish students to study, pray, and socialise. The Common Room is a welcoming and comfortable space that is open to all Jewish students on campus.
Keeping kosher on campus
Hillside, the University's main catering facility, offers a small range of kosher options for students. We understand the importance of keeping kosher and strive to provide a variety of options to meet the dietary needs of our Jewish students.
Exams on Shabbat and festivals
If you have an exam scheduled on Shabbat or a Jewish festival, please let your personal tutor and Rabbi Alex know as soon as possible. We will work with you to ensure that you can observe your religious practices while also fulfilling your academic responsibilities.
Pastoral care and bereavement counselling
The Jewish Chaplaincy provides pastoral care and support to students during difficult times, including bereavement counselling. We understand that University can be a challenging time, and we are here to offer support and guidance to students as they navigate the ups and downs of life.
Jewish Society
The Jewish Society at the University of Surrey provides a range of social and cultural activities for Jewish students on campus. The society is a great way to meet other Jewish students, celebrate Jewish festivals, and explore Jewish culture and traditions.
Shabbat candles
The lighting of Shabbat candles is an important tradition for many Jewish students at the University of Surrey. However, due to fire safety regulations, students are not permitted to light naked-flame candles in their rooms. To support students who wish to observe this tradition, the University has a stock of kosher-approved electric candles that can be requested through the campus Rabbi. Additionally, the Roundhouse Religious Life and Belief Centre hosts candle-lighting events, where students can come together to light candles and celebrate the start of Shabbat in a safe and communal setting. The University of Surrey is committed to supporting the religious practices and traditions of all students, and we strive to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the community to express their faith.
Holocaust Memorial Tree
The Jewish community at the University of Surrey has a deep and meaningful history that includes individuals who fled Nazi-occupied Europe and later helped build our University. These individuals and their families have made significant contributions to the university and the wider community. Our University has a Holocaust Memorial Tree on campus. The tree serves as a powerful symbol of remembrance and hope, honouring the memory of those who suffered during the Shoah (Holocaust).
Links to Jewish communities in Surrey
In addition to the resources and support available on campus, there are several Jewish communities in the Surrey area that offer opportunities for students to connect with the wider Jewish community. These communities include the Guildford-based Yisroel Ba’Astolat Community, which is made up of University of Surrey alumni and staff, as well as the Guildford Synagogue, North West Surrey Synagogue (Reform), Kingston United Synagogue, Kingston Liberal, and Staines Orthodox Synagogue.
Safety on campus
At the University of Surrey, we have a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism and all forms of hate speech and discrimination. We were one of the first Universities to sign up to the IHRA definition of antisemitism. We are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their background or beliefs. If you experience or witness any incidents of antisemitism on campus, we encourage you to report it immediately to the campus Rabbi, Security, and the Students' Union. We take all reports of hate speech and discrimination very seriously, and we will work closely with you to ensure that appropriate action is taken to address the issue.