When it was announced that I would be the UJS President for 2020-21, I did not expect that my term would be so far out of the ordinary – but we are indeed in unprecedented times!

What a year this has been, truly unforgettable. I know this is every UJS president’s experience but I’d like to think the added factor of a pandemic can give me a few brownie points on that front.

But allow me to rewind a bit more for a second. To be cliché, I could have never imagined heading the Union of Jewish Students of the UK & Ireland, representing 8500+ students and all the other great talking points; let alone have an English accent. I arrived at university four years ago not knowing what a Jewish society is and now ended being the keeno of the year! A title I carry proudly.

On Sunday, 14th of June, UJS was proud to host a panel discussion with Uyghur Muslims. We heard about their activism stories and advice and about their experiences growing up in Urumqi or living as Uyghurs around the world. Click here to see the live event on our Facebook page. 

Blog by Nina Freedman, Bristol J-Soc

In recent days, the media has been flooded with news of George Floyd and the despicable police brutality which is coming to light. George Floyd was a 46-year-old Black man who died after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for 8 minutes while he was pinned to the floor in Minneapolis. The conversations about race that this has sparked are unbelievably important and present an opportunity for us all to evaluate our privilege. It has allowed the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, founded in 2013, to once again come to the fore and reminds us why we need to be constantly working to fight racism in all its forms.  

UJS is delighted to present to you: A Student’s Guide to Shavuot!!!

This is a guide for all, inclusive of all Jewish students regardless of religious denomination or previous knowledge.

Join Jewish youth movements and students for the great Save A Life Party. Judge Rinder will host a carousel of celebrities and entertainers including Love Island’s Eyal Booker, and comedians Joe Bor, Rachel Creeger and Simon Brodkin. 

Last night (19^th May) we hosted our 12^th Annual Student Awards, celebrating the exceptional work of Jewish students up and down the country over the past year. Refusing to allow the COVID-19 Pandemic to halt celebrations, we moved the awards online. Over 150 people viewed the event live, hosted on Facebook and Zoom, celebrating Jewish student life on campus, recognising the incredible hard work and difference made by students!

After receiving over 100 nominations, we are delighted to announce this year’s nominees for the 2020 UJS Student Awards!

Sign up to join us for this wonderful evening here!