It’s just over two weeks since delegates to NUS National Conference elected their new national leadership for the next academic year. In that time, we’ve seen the National President-elect make clear her opposition to antisemitism and her commitment to ensuring a welcoming a safe environment for Jewish students. 

In December 2016, I participated in the UJS Manhigut trip with students from universities across the UK.

How do you answer when people ask you how the trip was? I’m not sure that I can quite put it into words or if there are any words that can really sum it up. Thoughts were encircling my mind as to how and why anyone could deny another of their livelihood, of their family, of their freedom.

The past year has seen numerous attempts to create and entrench divisions in society, especially between those of different faith groups and ethnicities. The most recent example of this is the attack in Westminster just a month ago;

'Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity for speaking today. My name is Josh Seitler and I am the elected president of the Union of Jewish Students of the UK and Ireland and an Executive Member of the World Union of Jewish Students. I stand here in front of you representing the 8,500 Jewish students across 64 university campuses in the UK.

UJS President Josh Seitler attended the 15th World Jewish Congress in New York on April 23-25 2017. He was part of a delegation from the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Just before Jewish students sat down to Seder night, it was revealed that Brunel SU President Ali Milani has previously published a number of Tweets containing antisemitic tropes. Milani is seeking election to the role of NUS Vice President (Union Development) at the upcoming NUS National Conference later this month.

Last night 150 people gathered for the ninth annual UJS Student Awards. Celebrating Jewish student life on campus, and honouring the incredible hard work put in by the students who make it happen, were representatives from J-Socs throughout the UK and Ireland.

Today, Rob Young, NUS Vice President Society & Citizenship published his report into Jewish students’ experiences which can be found here:http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/articles/jewish-students-have-told-us-about-their-experiences-now-we-must-act. UJS were proud to be involved in the development of the survey.

So the UJS Reclaim campaign is officially over for another year. This year saw more engagement from more campuses and more online engagement with our website (www.reclaimtheconversation.com) that last year. We had three times the number of campus events this year than last year which is incredible in itself.