Experiencing Differences on Campus: Jewish Culture at the University of Illinois

The Jewish population at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign makes up approximately 11 percent of the undergraduate population. With 3,500 students, this constitutes a rather large minority religious group. This research paper seeks to identify what makes Judaism unique and what separates it from other religions on campus, but also notes similarities found within other religions, such as experiences of Muslim students on campus. Through observation, interview, and analysis of articles, the culture of Judaism is explored. How is Judaism defined on the University of Illinois campus? What do nationwide trends of Jewish undergraduate statistics show about the University of Illinois population? Throughout the researching process, it was concluded that there were no striking differences between Judaism and any other religious group on campus, and that the Jewish community was welcoming and inclusive