In Stewart Ain’s thorough article, “Revised Stony Brook Calendar Draws Ire” (March 16), the impression is left that indeed only 5 percent of the students are Jewish, a figure we at Hillel dispute.
In our experience, Jewish students under-report on these surveys, and based on our own Hillel registration we estimate the Jewish population at closer to 12 percent. Regardless of the numbers, parents and potential students should know that Jewish life at Stony Brook is active and vibrant. Hundreds of students are engaged in all facets of Jewish life.
There is a very active Israel group, many students involved in community service, dozens participating in Taglit: Birthright Israel, a daily minyan, an eruv, a glatt kosher dining center, bi-monthly Shabbatonim, and the wonderful Gloria and Mark Snyder Hillel Center located right in the student union building.
Staffed by five devoted professionals including three rabbis, Stony Brook Hillel has an active and dedicated board of directors, is an agency of UJA-Federation of New York and is fully accredited by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.
We invite you to visit us any time.
Director, Stony Brook University Hillel Foundation
