From Seder Nights to Summer Exams – Chaplaincy in Action

The following email was sent out to all subscribers on 08-05-25

Dear Friend,

Since our last newsletter, both the clocks and the seasons have changed, ushering in the traditionally busy summer term, with students preparing for an intense exam season. While the general atmosphere on campus has been relatively stable since our last newsletter, our Chaplains remain prepared to support students with academic and pastoral needs during this typically demanding term.

As we reflect on the past six weeks, we are filled with hope and pride as we highlight the special moments through which our Chaplains brought students together to mark key events in the Jewish calendar.

Pesach on Campus

Despite Pesach falling outside of term time, hundreds of students remained on campus and had the opportunity to enjoy sedarim with their Chaplains and fellow students alike.

Edinburgh – Rabbi Eliran and Ayalah Shabbo recorded over 70 student attendances across the two Sedarim they hosted

Nottingham – Rabbi Uriya and Shima Dvir hosted students throughout the eight days of Pesach and enabled some students to experience Seder for the very first time

Liverpool – Rabbi Natan Fagleman hosted students for a Pesach barbecue

Although we are now in the Omer – the seven weeks of introspection and spiritual growth between Pesach and Shavuot – the first few weeks have included important moments for reflection in our collective history that our Chaplains were keen to mark. Yom HaShoah denotes Holocaust Memorial Day in the Jewish calendar, recognising the cost to the Jewish people who lived in a time without the State of Israel. Conversely, exactly one week later saw

Yom Hazikaron – a day to remember all those lost in Israel’s battles and acts of terrorism, since the state’s creation in 1948 – and solemnly remembers the heavy price we pay to protect the world’s only Jewish state. The following day, students celebrated Yom Haatzmaut – Israel’s independence day. Given the ongoing threats faced by Jewish people around the world, particularly since the horrific Hamas-led attacks of 7th October 2023, we are proud of the ways that our Chaplains and students came together to mark these key dates – never forgetting the plight of the 59 hostages still being held in unthinkable conditions in Gaza.

Yom Hazikaron & Yom Haatzmaut on Campus

Bristol hosted a special ceremony for Yom Hazikaron and a barbecue for Yom Haatzmaut

Nottingham created a combined event with a Tekes (ceremony) for Yom Hazikaron followed by a barbecue, attracting over 110 people

Leeds organised a barbecue for Yom Haatzmaut, bringing together 150 students

Brighton hosted Israeli footballer Tomer Hemed for a talk about being an Israeli athlete in the British Premier League and Spanish La Liga

Oxford – A Yom Haatzmaut party was attended by 80 students

With interfaith engagement being a key component of our work, we were humbled that Scottish Chaplain Rabbi Eliran Shabbo was invited to attend an event hosted by First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, to mark the signing of the Drumlanrig Peace Accords, alongside other Jewish and Muslim leaders. The accords establish a structured framework for sustained Muslim-Jewish collaboration, fostering deeper understanding and shared responsibility.

Only this morning, our London Chaplain, Rabbi Gavin Broder, was honoured to sit on a panel as part of Westminster Conversations: Fourth Annual Challenging Racisms Conference. Exploring the theme of ‘universality and difference’, we are grateful to the University of Westminster for creating spaces to enable difficult conversations. Initiatives like these in London and Scotland give us hope that with mutual trust, unity and a spirit of openness to find common ground, we can find in the ‘other’ more to connect us than drive us apart.

Looking ahead to the next few weeks, we wish strength, focus and resilience to all those preparing for exams and remind students (and their loved ones) that UJC’s Chaplains are at the end of the phone if it all feels too much. With all UJC Chaplains having undertaken safeguarding and mental wellbeing training, they should be the first point of contact for students in need.

Very best wishes,

Sophie Dunoff,

Chief Executive Officer