Idea #14 - Hold joint events for JSocs and Islamic Societies every term

This year alone, an Islamic preacher who once called Jews “filth” spoke at Kings College London; students approved a boycott of Israeli bottled water at Manchester; a student shouts “Slaughter the Jews” at the Oxford Union; and violent protests led to the cancellation of the deputy Israeli ambassador’s talk at Manchester University. Extreme speakers like George Galloway, Azzam Tamimi, Ben White and Sheikh Quick are routinely hailed as heroes in campuses across the country.

Should my younger siblings decide not to participate in Jewish activities at university, I would find it hard to argue. They might quite justifiably feel that being an open member of JSoc leave them exposed and vulnerable. I unfortunately know too many people who have decided that, for the moment, they are best off out of Jewish life on campus – they are simply reluctant to become involved.

What is needed is regular dialogue. If the JSocs and Islamic societies are given a formal (but informal) opportunity, even just once a term, for open discussion, the “us-versus-the-enemy” mentality is already broken down.

The Middle East does not have to be a topic in these forums, though of course it can be. The forum could be used for discussion of religious philosophy, British politics, or the best way to make hummus. It can take place at a dinner party, film club or restaurant. Somewhere that is comfortable ground.

JSocs and Islamic Societies are seen by most mainstream students as warring parties. This is nonsense and damaging.

But we can all benefit from better dialogue between Muslims and Jews on campus. Because if the president of Kings College Islamic Society had spent time with the JSoc members last term, maybe he would have thought twice before inviting Sheikh Quick to speak. And the same, of course, goes for JSoc presidents, who should also perhaps be made to think twice about who they invite to speak.

The forum will not solve the problem of radicalism on campus – it is just a beginning. But it is a chance for JSocs to show their good will.

Today’s JSoc presidents and committee members are tomorrow’s Jewish politicians, academics, journalists and scientists. They are the future Board of Deputies members, synagogue chairmen, future heads of charities and lobby groups. Israel needs its future champions in the UK to lead with dignity and grace, and to be willing to engage in dialogue – and university is not too soon to start.

If they can learn to do this over a falafel with the Islamic Society in the Students’ Union, this will set a great precedent as for them to become the future Jewish leaders of the community. Likewise for their Muslim peers.

Jessica Elgot is the JC’s web reporter. She attended the University of Nottingham and Cardiff University.

Check out our previous ideas: 13 - Create a virtual community 12 - Turn Anglo-Jewry into a learning community 11 - Turn Shabbat into the Greenest day of the week 10 - Focus on people, not institutions 9 - Create an online platform for Jewish students, 8 - Appoint anti-antisemitism champions, 7 - Share our synagogues and community centres with other religions,  6 - Establish a Succah in Trafalgar Square, 5 - Create a 'community service' programme for young Jews, 4 - Recruit older people to volunteer for the community,3 - Establish a fund for the Jewish arts, 2 - Pay membership fees to your community, not your shul, 1 - Make 2010/11 the year of synagogue renewal