Glasgow Jewish Students' Society

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Jewish student society serving universities in Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow Jewish Students' Society
Type Student society
Logo
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

Activities

  • 18 March 2018 Sadaqah Day and Mitzvah Day event with Scottish Police Muslim Association.
  • 8 August 2014 target NUS and praise Uni of Glasgow for not being a member of NUS Scotland/NUS UK
  • 2015 - No entry in the Jewish Year Book.[11]
  • 4 August 2014 condemn Glasgow City Council for displaying a Palestinian flag.
  • 4 May 2014 hosted IDF soldier for lunch.
  • 2006 - No entry in The Jewish Year Book.[12]
  • 2004 - No entry in The Jewish Year Book.[13]
  • 2002 - Jewish Students' Society Contact Abbie Lynn 07779-298992, Y. Silverman 0141 337 3220.[14]
  • 2000 - Jewish Students' Society Contact 0141 577 8220.[15]
  • 1997 - Jewish Students' Society 3 Dalserf Avenue, Giffnock.[16]
  • 1985 - Jewish Students' Society. Student Hse., 289 Kenmure St. T.: 041-423 1097. Ch. -Miss S. Arthur.[17]
  • 1964-5 - Glasgow Jewish Students' Society - President Max M. Cohen; Hon. Secretary David S. Magill, BSC 30 Belmont Street, Glasgow S2.[18]
  • 1961-2 Glasgow Jewish Students' Society - President Bernard Hill; Hon. Secretary Harvey W. Livingstone, 16 Tavistock Dr., Glasgow S3. Tel MER 3847[19]
  • 1961 - University Jewish Students' Society. H. Sec Miss S. Neville, 97 Overton Road, Hallside.[20]
  • 1950 - University Jewish Students' Society. P. Miss S. Levy, H. Sec B. Simmons.[21]
  • 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[22]
  • 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.[23]
  • 1924 - University Jewish Students' Society. Glasgow University, H.P.-Prof. N. Morris. H.Sec.-L. L. Hurwich.[24]
  • 1914 - University Jewish Association, Students' Union, Glasgow University. P.—S. Grasse. Sec.— W. Morris, 97, Kent-road[25]

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.[26]

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 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. ↑ 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. ↑ Jewish News, UJS presidential hopefuls set out their visions Jewish News, 19 November 2025.
  11. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2015.
  12. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2006.
  13. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2004.
  14. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2002.
  15. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 2000.
  16. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1997.
  17. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1985.
  18. ↑ The Zionist Year Book 1964-5: 202.
  19. ↑ The Zionist Year Book 1961-2: 195.
  20. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1961.
  21. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1950.
  22. ↑ Jewish Echo - Friday 12 November 1948
  23. ↑ Jewish Echo - Friday 16 May 1947
  24. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1924.
  25. ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1914.
  26. ↑ https://electronicintifada.net/content/uk-government-funds-pro-genocide-university-jewish-chaplaincy/50371
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