|
My daughter is also Jewish and considering Furman. We took a tour this past summer and thought it was a great campus. Furman was not high on our list, but we took the tour because a family friend works at Furman and encouraged us to take a look. I'm glad we did. It's a great school. Our understanding has been that there aren't very many Jewish students at Furman, but there are some. Greenville is a nice town with a decent Jewish presence, though. Our friend told us that Furman is committed to increasing diversity, so that encouraged us to keep this school on our list.
My family lives in a small southern town - my kids are the only Jews at their public high school, so they're accustomed to being in the minority. Furman may be a big adjustment for a Jewish student who is from a more diverse region. You might want to keep that in mind. Also, it has been my experience as a life-long southerner who is a Jew by choice (grew up in the Episcopal church and converted as an adult) that there is, indeed, pressure. Before we had kids, I thought being Jewish wasn't a big deal - didn't think people really cared. Now that I'm raising two kids in conservative Christian environment, I feel differently. Many well-meaning people have put pressure on my children -- I suspect without even realizing what they were doing. My kids are used to this now, and they know how to navigate "being different". Interestingly, I think these experiences have strengthened my kids' Jewish identities.
I write all of this as a parent who has no real knowledge of life at Furman! I have no desire to discourage anyone from applying. Again, it's still on our list. We're keeping an open mind and are waiting to see if they're most recently admitted class shows increased Jewish enrollment.
| 
