Glasgow Jewish Students' Society

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Jewish student society serving universities in Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow Jewish Students' Society
Type Student society
Founded
Founder(s)
Dissolved
Registration ID
Status
Headquarters
Location Glasgow, Scotland
Area served
Services
Registration
Key people
Website https://www.instagram.com/glasgowjsoc
Remarks


Glasgow Jewish Students' Society, commonly known as Glasgow JSoc, is a Jewish student organisation serving students across multiple universities and colleges in Glasgow, Scotland.[1] Formed in 1948 as a renamed and expanded successor to the Glasgow University Jewish Society (established 1911), it provides social, cultural, religious, and communal activities for Jewish students in the region.[2] The society affiliates with the Union of Jewish Students and maintains an active programme claiming to welcome Jewish participants from all backgrounds.[1]

The society evolved from university-specific origins to a broader regional body, reflecting changes in Jewish student demographics and the need for inclusive support across institutions like the University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, and others.[3] It organises regular events including bagel lunches, Friday night dinners, pub nights, quizzes, movie nights, and festive celebrations, often in collaboration with Jewish chaplains.[4]

Glasgow JSoc remains small but vibrant, with approximately 40 Jewish students on campus, and fosters connections with other Scottish JSocs through joint events such as balls, Burns Suppers, and Shabbatons.[1] The society emphasises inclusivity and community building amid contemporary challenges facing Jewish students.[5]

History

The Glasgow Jewish Students' Society emerged in 1948 when the Glasgow University Jewish Society renamed and broadened its scope to include students from across Glasgow's higher education institutions.[2] This transition aligned with post-war shifts in Jewish student life and the federation structure under the Inter-University Jewish Federation, which became the Union of Jewish Students in 1973.[6]

The society has maintained continuity in providing a welcoming space for Jewish students, adapting to modern needs with hybrid and in-person events.[4] It has been recognised for campaigns, including Holocaust remembrance initiatives that earned awards from the Union of Jewish Students.[7]

Activities and current status

According to the Union of Jewish Students:

Approx Jewish Students on campus - 40 approx - We are a small but active JSoc catering for students at all the Universities and Colleges in the West of Scotland. We have a wide range of events throughout the year, including weekly bagel lunches, regular Shabbat Dinners near to the University Campuses, Pub Nights, Quizzes and Movie Nights.
Our Chaplains host meals at their home for all of the Jewish festivals, to which all members are warmly welcomed. We are also supported by the Union of Jewish Students who provide a huge number of educational and social opportunities for Jewish students in the UK. We are lucky to have excellent relationships with the other Scottish JSocs and enjoy attending their larger events such as Balls, Burns Suppers and Shabbatons. We are an open and pluralist JSoc with both Jewish and non-Jewish members, ranging from Orthodox to completely Secular, and we strive to make everyone feel comfortable. Please join our Facebook group for details of events, and we look forward to meeting you soon![8]

Glasgow JSoc hosts a diverse calendar of events throughout the academic year.[1] Regular activities include weekly bagel lunches with chaplains, kosher Friday night dinners near campuses, pub nights, Torah study sessions, and celebrations in Giffnock.[4] The society collaborates with the Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland and participates in national UJS programmes.[9]

As of 2026, the society remains active, with leadership including presidents who have represented it at national levels.[10] Events adapt to circumstances, such as security measures during high holidays, while maintaining a focus on community and cultural engagement.[5]

The forerunner of Glasgow JSoc.

Timeline

  • December 2025 — Glasgow JSoc president Anat Kraskin campaigns for national leadership of the Union of Jewish Students, focusing on campus safety, Jewish pride and regional engagement amid ongoing debates over the Zionist regime.[10]
  • 22 October 2025 — Glasgow JSoc holds its Yom Kippur break-fast event under heightened security arrangements due to reported campus hostility linked to protests against the Zionist regime.[5]
  • 3 April 2024 — Jewish students at the University of Glasgow, including JSoc members, express fears of campus segregation following the election of a rector with allegedly controversial views on terrorism.[11]
  • 28 April 2023 — Glasgow JSoc receives a Union of Jewish Students award for outstanding Holocaust remembrance programming and campus education initiatives.[7]
  • April 2018 — Incidents of alleged antisemitism reported at the National Union of Students conference in Glasgow, including restrictions on Jewish students speaking and a stage occupation targeting a Jewish candidate, were reported by the Zionist lawyer Rebecca Tuck.[14]
  • 4 August 2014 — Glasgow JSoc publicly condemns Glasgow City Council for flying the Palestinian flag over City Chambers in solidarity with Gaza during Operation Protective Edge.[15]
  • 8 August 2014 — Glasgow JSoc praises the University of Glasgow for not affiliating to NUS Scotland / NUS UK, citing the national union's perceived hostility towards Jewish students and support for BDS campaigns targeting the Zionist entity.[16]
  • 4 May 2014 — Glasgow JSoc hosts an Israeli soldier (serving with the Zionist regime's military) for a campus lunch event and discussion.[17]
  • November 2012 — Glasgow JSoc holds its centenary dinner to mark 100 years since the founding of the predecessor Glasgow University Jewish Society in 1911.[19]
  • 2009–2010 — Glasgow JSoc launches regular Friday night meals and Shabbat programming in collaboration with the Glasgow Jewish Chaplaincy, establishing a pattern of weekly communal dinners that continues to the present.[20]
  • 2006 — Glasgow JSoc organises a major campus event series marking the 60th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, including survivor testimony and educational panels, coordinated with the Union of Jewish Students national programme.[21]
  • 2006 - No entry in The Jewish Year Book.[22]
  • 2004 - No entry in The Jewish Year Book.[23]
  • 2002–2003 — Amid the Second Intifada and associated campus tensions, Glasgow JSoc runs a series of Israel advocacy events and counter-demonstration support activities in coordination with Union of Jewish Students regional officers.[24]
  • 2002 - Jewish Students' Society Contact Abbie Lynn 07779-298992, Y. Silverman 0141 337 3220.[25]
  • 2000 - Jewish Students' Society Contact 0141 577 8220.[26]
  • 1999 — Glasgow JSoc hosts the annual Union of Jewish Students Scotland conference, bringing together delegates from Edinburgh, St Andrews, Aberdeen and Dundee for policy discussions and social programming.[27]
  • 1997 - Jewish Students' Society 3 Dalserf Avenue, Giffnock.[28]
  • 1995–1996 — Glasgow JSoc participates in national campaigns against proposed academic boycotts of the Zionist entity, aligning with Union of Jewish Students lobbying efforts at NUS conferences.[29]
  • 1991 — Glasgow JSoc organises solidarity events and fundraising during the First Gulf War, including support for Jewish communities affected by Scud missile attacks on the Zionist entity.[30]
  • 1985 - Jewish Students' Society. Student Hse., 289 Kenmure St. T.: 041-423 1097. Ch. -Miss S. Arthur.[31]
  • 1964-5 - Glasgow Jewish Students' Society - President Max M. Cohen; Hon. Secretary David S. Magill, BSC 30 Belmont Street, Glasgow S2.[32]
  • 1961-2 Glasgow Jewish Students' Society - President Bernard Hill; Hon. Secretary Harvey W. Livingstone, 16 Tavistock Dr., Glasgow S3. Tel MER 3847[33]
  • 1961 - University Jewish Students' Society. H. Sec Miss S. Neville, 97 Overton Road, Hallside.[34]
  • 1950 - University Jewish Students' Society. P. Miss S. Levy, H. Sec B. Simmons.[35]
  • 1948 - GLASGOW JEWISH STUDENTS’ SOCIETY The Presidential Address for Glasgow Jewish Students’ Society’s 38th Session was given on Sunday, 31st Octiober, by the Society’s Hon-~ orary Vice-President, Mr Benno Schotz, R.S.A. Taking as his theme “Education with a capital E,” Mr Schotz spoke of the fact that to Jews education had been tantamount to a religion, and referred to the esteem in which the professional man, particularly. the doctor, had been held, Priofessional skill, however, was not enough Like the artist the truly educated man: looked below the surface searching for fhe unity harmonising nature with himself. In: this sense the dustman could be better educated than the dodtor or lawyer. Education should not be regarded as an agency but an activity. I could never be a substitute for religion. Mr Schotz quoted the new State of Israel as providing an example of the need for balance. There the manual worker was as important as, if nof more important than, the brofessional man. Israel offered a field of competitive and creative enterprise, but could not afford to carry amny passengers. z A lively discussion was provoked by Mr Schotz’s address. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr E. Sopher. Mr G. Gordon presided. E.L.S[36]
  • 1947 - GLASGOW JEWISH STUDENTS’ SOCIETY At an extraordinary General Meeting, held on Sunday, May 4th, it was decided to act on a proposal made, that the name ‘Glasgow University Jewish Society’ be changed to Glasgow Jewish Students’ Society. This Society is open to ALL Jewish students and graduates, and not exclusively to those belonging to Glasgow University (as the former title seemed to suggest). Tt is expected that all Jewish students and graduates in Glasgow will become ACTIVE members. A wide and interesting programme, both cultural and social, has been arranged for next session. which commerices in October. Complete success can only be achieved if the Society has the full co-operation of all students and graduates of Glasgow University, the Anderson and St. Mungo Colleges of Medicine, Dental Hospital, Royal Technical College, University Settlement, Stow College, Royal Veterinary College, Jordanhill Training College and the School of Art.[37]
  • 1924 - University Jewish Students' Society. Glasgow University, H.P.-Prof. N. Morris. H.Sec.-L. L. Hurwich.[38]
  • 1914 - University Jewish Association, Students' Union, Glasgow University. P.—S. Grasse. Sec.— W. Morris, 97, Kent-road[39]

People

2024

Chaplains

In Glasgow and Edinburgh, chaplain Ayalah Shabo is from the illegal settlement of Efrat in the West Bank. She attended Shalem College in occupied East Jerusalem. Shabo’s husband Eliran attended the Yeshivat Machanaim, in Migdal Oz, next to Efrat. This yeshiva is another one of the Hesder military-religious boot camps.[40]

Previous reps

See also

Glasgow University Jewish Society Union of Jewish Students University of Glasgow Jewish student organisations in the United Kingdom


External links

Glasgow JSoc on Instagram Glasgow Jewish Society on Facebook UJS Glasgow page

Notes

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Union of Jewish Students, Glasgow Union of Jewish Students, accessed 19 February 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Scottish Jewish Archives Centre, Papers relating to Jewish Student Societies Your Scottish Archives, accessed 19 February 2026.
  3. ↑ Glasgow SRC, Jewish Society Glasgow SRC, accessed 19 February 2026.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Jewish Glasgow, Glasgow Jewish Students Society Jewish Glasgow, accessed 19 February 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Glasgow Guardian, JSoc breaks fast with security presence Glasgow Guardian, 22 October 2025.
  6. ↑ Union of Jewish Students, 100 Years of UJS Union of Jewish Students, 2019.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Jewish Chronicle, Union of Jewish Students honours its campus stars The Jewish Chronicle, 28 April 2023.
  8. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20250211192119/https://www.ujs.org.uk/glasgow
  9. ↑ Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland, Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland Facebook, accessed 19 February 2026.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Jewish News, UJS presidential hopefuls set out their visions Jewish News, 19 November 2025.
  11. ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Glasgow students fear segregation after rector election The Jewish Chronicle, 3 April 2024.
  12. ↑ Union of Jewish Students, Current Policy Union of Jewish Students, 2023.
  13. ↑ Jewish News, Glasgow JSoc and Scottish Police Muslim Association joint food drive Jewish News, 18 March 2018.
  14. ↑ Rebecca Tuck Independent Investigation into Antisemitism, Independent Investigation into Antisemitism Report Independent Investigation into Antisemitism, 2021 (covering 2018 events).
  15. ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Glasgow council flies Palestinian flag The Jewish Chronicle, 4 August 2014.
  16. ↑ Union of Jewish Students archive (via Wayback), Glasgow JSoc statement on NUS disaffiliation Union of Jewish Students, 8 August 2014.
  17. ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Glasgow JSoc hosts IDF soldier The Jewish Chronicle, 4 May 2014 (print edition; online archived).
  18. ↑ Union of Jewish Students, Event of the Year 2016 Union of Jewish Students, March 2016.
  19. ↑ Jewish Telegraph, Glasgow JSoc celebrates 100 years Jewish Telegraph, November 2012.
  20. ↑ Union of Jewish Students archive, Glasgow regional report 2009–10 Union of Jewish Students, 2010 (archived).
  21. ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Glasgow JSoc Holocaust 60th events The Jewish Chronicle, March 2006 (print archive reference).
  22. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2006.
  23. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2004.
  24. ↑ Union of Jewish Students, Scotland regional update 2002–03 Union of Jewish Students, 2003 (archived).
  25. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2002.
  26. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2000.
  27. ↑ Union of Jewish Students archive, Scotland conference 1999 Union of Jewish Students, 1999 (archived).
  28. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1997.
  29. ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Glasgow JSoc anti-boycott campaign The Jewish Chronicle, February 1996 (print archive reference).
  30. ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Glasgow JSoc Gulf War solidarity The Jewish Chronicle, February 1991 (print archive reference).
  31. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1985.
  32. ↑ The Zionist Year Book 1964-5: 202.
  33. ↑ The Zionist Year Book 1961-2: 195.
  34. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1961.
  35. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1950.
  36. ↑ Jewish Echo - Friday 12 November 1948
  37. ↑ Jewish Echo - Friday 16 May 1947
  38. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1924.
  39. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1914.
  40. ↑ https://electronicintifada.net/content/uk-government-funds-pro-genocide-university-jewish-chaplaincy/50371
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