We've come a long way since we were founded in 1919, with four pioneering Jewish Societies forming our Union. We've been through depressions, recessions and the founding of the NHS, the Second World War and the horrors of the Shoah, celebrated the building and founding of the State of Israel, seen 23 British Prime Ministers, and nurtured hundreds of leaders, inspiring impact within and beyond the Jewish community.
In that time, we've supported Jewish students in a range of ways, empowering and equipping them to lead, defend and enrich Jewish life on campus. We have gained many more J-Socs, to a current total of 64. We have changed our name (from the Inter-University Federation of Jewish Societies to the Union of Jewish Students) and our logo several times. With each incarnation, we’ve stayed true to our core work representing the UK’s Jewish students whilst updating the look for contemporary audiences.
As we approach our 100th anniversary and in response to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, we felt the time had arrived to take another look at the way we declare our identity to the world.
The world is very different from how it was in 1919, and with a growing Jewish student population on UK campuses, the needs of our members are constantly changing too. We have evolved to meet those needs time and again, providing the best support and opportunities, and we continue to do so with this latest development: a brand new logo, strap line and website. On campus and online, we are excited to be loud and proud about our Jewish identity, which is exactly what the new branding represents.
The logo is bold and distinctive. It is a reinterpretation of previous forms, staying true to our roots through colour and shape whilst modernising to appeal to young adults. The website is a digital leap forward, enabling us to reach new and expanding audiences and engage many more Jewish students, allies and supporters; and the two are tied together by our new strap line, which declares proudly what we have done for almost 100 years and will continue to do: we are the voice of Jewish students.
As with all our work, Jewish students have remained the highest priority in this upgrade. All three elements of our new brand have been developed alongside ongoing feedback and involvement from those we represent, from the elected President to smaller focus groups and surveys sent to all our members. We believe that the new website will be more responsive to the needs of Jewish students and J-Socs, and we are confident that the logo and strap line evoke a Union to which they are proud to belong.
We invite you to browse the new website and get to know our new look. We hope you like it; either way, please tell us, especially if you have a suggestion or spot a problem to be resolved. As your Union, first and foremost it is crucial that we hear from you, so tell us what you think: by using the contact form on the website or by emailing your feedback to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.