Few non-Jewish presidents of the National Union of Students can have found themselves the victim of an antisemitic attack.

But Wes Streeting’s experience of being verbally abused while reading Alan Dershowitz’s The Case for Israel on the London Underground provided him with an insight into the impact of antisemitism and anti-Israel action.

Since being elected in April 2008, Mr Streeting has worked hard to support the Union of Jewish Students, promoting a zero tolerance stance to antisemitism and academic boycotts.

Eight campus representatives from Jeneration, the Reform-backed project to engage young people, have travelled to the United States looking for tips on running vibrant university projects.

The reps, from universities in London, Cambridge, Sussex, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester and Leeds, visited institutions including the Hebrew Union College — the development centre of Reform Judaism — and the Jewish Theological Seminary during the week-long stay in New York.

University Jewish Societies have enjoyed a successful start to the academic year, with hundreds of new members taking part in Freshers’ Week events across the country.

In Leeds, JSoc members were treated to their own unique Freshers Fair, offering them a chance to sign up to almost a dozen other Jewish student groups including Chabad, Aish, JLE and Tribe.

Fresher events included a barbecue attended by 160 students, a Shabbat meal at the new Hillel student centre and a drinks night.

Having previously attended Immanuel College I was already part of a large Jewish circle and this was, I guess, the root of my apprehension when starting uni. I was scared that I would find it hard to break out of my comfort zone and meet new people.

But as the week progressed new faces became familiar faces and my apprehension subsided.

I was also quite nervous about being independent and having to figure things out for myself. The realisation that my mum was no longer going to be there to sort things out was daunting.

Gone are the days of Hillel houses being seen as run-down, out-of-date digs for religious students who want to be close to a morning minyan.

In the past year, Hillels across the country have undergone substantial changes, with houses being transformed into modern student centres furnished with plasma screen TVs, wireless internet and kosher cafés.

Daniel Marcus, UJS Hillel chief executive, said the organisation is making a conscious effort to provide Jewish students with plush surroundings.