Students in London will have a new option when it comes to Friday night dinners, thanks to the University Jewish Chaplaincy service.
From October, the group will host Shabbat meals at synagogues in the capital in co-ordination with the Union of Jewish Students.
There will also be larger themed dinners throughout the year. An appeal last week raised almost £10,000 for the project. Much of the money was raised by parents of the students. Chaplaincy chief operating officer Suzy Richman said: “We are indebted to the parents who have supported this Appeal. Without the activism of parents, led by Dr. Jo and Dr. Daniel Hochhauser, this initiative would never have got off the ground.”
Attempts to cater to London’s Jewish student population has had to contend with it sheer spread — 2,000 young people at an estimated 25 universities across the capital. But Chaplaincy is confident of attracting around 50 students for each meal.
Ms Richman added: “Students in central London are going to be running the dinners and have asked us to help to connect their disparate communities by helping them to create first-class weekly events that are fun and vibrant.
“The vision we share is that students should be brought closer together to ensure they have an experience like their counterparts in every other area in the country."
London chaplain Rabbi Gavin Broder said: “My belief is different events appeal to different types of students, but Friday night dinner from my experience appeals to everybody. Primarily the idea is for students to have access to a Friday night dinner but more than that it gives people from across London an opportunity to meet each other.”
In addition to the dinners a Chaplaincy student lounge “chill zone” in Central Synagogue opened last year.
University Jewish Chaplaincy was founded in the 1970s to provide professional Jewish student chaplains to campuses. The organisation sees the chaplain’s role as both friend and resource. Each chaplain or couple welcomes students into their homes on Shabbat and festivals, organises educational and social events, and offers welfare support. They also serve an official capacity in representing students to faculty over religious matters. Twelve regions in Britain are served by an appointed chaplain.