Leeds University Contact Details

JSoc Notes

Leeds J-Soc is a lively, vibrant, friendly community that unites Jewish Students around Leeds. Leeds J-Soc provides constant Friday Night meals, with an experience to remember, regular shiurim, and variety of food, club nights and regular social activities.

This year with a new dynamic committee we are introducing many more unique and exciting events including the second term of official J-Soc 5-a-side football in addition to all other sports as well as much more.

We at Leeds pride ourselves in being one of the flag-ship J-Socs and are in addition to our weekly newsletter we are adding a radio show and pod cast which can be downloaded from the internet.

Campus Notes

Leeds has arguably the country's greatest nightlife as well as brilliant atmosphere of Jewish pride for many students who wish to get involved. Whether you simply buy a Shabbat pack from the J-Soc or you go to all their events, you'll find it easy and fun to be a Jewish Student in Leeds. Leeds J-Soc also holds the largest Booze for Jews yearly with an average attendance of 1000 students. Shabbat is a time when you want comfort whilst being away from family, therefore we have an excellent Chaplain, Chabbad Family and now a new Aish Family all here to strengthen and provide for the students. Whatever your background of involvement, the J-Soc is here for you.

Kosher Food & Accommodation

In Leeds there are several options for accommodation:

1. Springfield Mount - There will be a maximum of 34 places available in this facility which is directly opposite the current Hillel House, soon to be the new Jewish student centre. As they are run by the university, they cannot be made available to Met students but they do have the advantage for Uni students of being directly adjacent to the centre for those students who do not wish to cater for themselves but have a meal plan provided for them by Charles and his team at the centre. Also, students who want to take part in an Orthodox minyan can use of the facilities in the centre

2. 2 & 4 Claremont Avenue - These are two properties that have just been acquired by Unipol and are being made available in total to us exclusively for the use of Jewish students and has a maximum capacity for 10. Although primarily for Met students, we can also accept Uni students who may wish to live in the same accommodation as friends who are studying at the Met. Whilst not being directly opposite the Centre, it is only about 400 meters away which is real terms is about 5-6 minute walk.

3. As well as these there is kosher flats available in the Montague Burton University residences which are again a 5-6 minute walk away from the University campus and about a 10 minute walk to Hillel.

Food
Daily Kosher lunch at Hillel House (at Charlio's cafe) between 12 and 2 and a 'meat lunch' on Wednesdays, as well as weekly "Hoof 'n Cud" meat dinners on Monday night, falafel and pita on a Thursday and Friday night meals. There is also a Kosher deli in Leeds about a ten minute drive from the student area where you can buy a range of Kosher meats and other Kosher products, and a Kosher Bakers near. There is also a Sainsbury's and Tesco with a Kosher section. There is one Kosher Restaurant in Leeds located at the Majorie and Arnold Ziff Community Centre.

Local Synagogue Information

There are five main Synagogues in Leeds as well as a reform synagogue. These include, Etz Chaim, Street Lane, Sinai Synagogue and United Hebrew Congregation. The Hillel House Synagogue provides students with the ability to create a memorable Shul experience especially Kabalat Shabbat. On Friday night there is an Orthodox and an Egalitarian Service in order to cater for any Jewish Student.

Local Community Information

There are approximately 8,000 local Jewish residents who are very hospitable to students and are always trying to get involved in helping student activities. In the January term of every year we have a large Friday night dinner with the local community to try and make stronger connections. In addition there is the Majority and Arnold Ziff Community Centre (MAZCC) which has large range of programs for the residents of Leeds.

Final comments

The atmosphere at Leeds J-Soc is a friendly, warm and comfortable environment to be in. With regular activities and events, the J-Soc provides an amazing Jewish experience for a student's best 3 years of their life.