<p>I am writing this a Jewish mother of a Jewish child at Brandeis. My child was attracted to Brandeis because of the Jewish religious community that could be found there. So I do respect your desire to make sure that you would be able to find the type of religious community that you seek there. I believe that you would be able to find not only a supportive Catholic community, but an overall community of religious tolerance there.</p>
<p>Brandeis is barely 50% Jewish based on the latest numbers I’d heard. It is a non-sectarian school founded by the American Jewish community. When the campus was first being constructed the idea of having only a Jewish chapel on campus was soundly rejected – three chapels were built - Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish – and built deliberately in such a way that none is ever in the shadow of the others. I think that is a very real symbol of the attitude of tolerance there.</p>
<p>The fact that Brandeis is 50% Jewish (approx.) does mean that there are certain things that will be different than other schools where Jewish students are not as well represented. Brandeis closes not only for the high holidays but several other Jewish holidays through out the year. Its spring break coincides with Passover. Kosher food is readily available – both in a separate kosher line in one of the two main dining halls, and also in packaged food in other locations. You will see more men wearing yalmulkes than you have probably seen elsewhere in one place (unless you’ve attended a synagogue) though they still represent a small minority of the overall student population. </p>
<p>The Jewish population is extremely diverse – from those who are observant (and are attracted to Brandeis because they can find a religious community there), to those who are less observant, to those who are “culturally” but not religiously Jewish, to those for whom their Jewish identity means little more than a family historic fact. </p>
<p>So the fact that there is a strong Jewish presence is something that you would probably notice, but remember, approx. 50% Jewish (which is a far from homogeneous 50%) also means approx 50% not Jewish. </p>
<p>There is a Catholic chaplain on campus. (as well as a Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish chaplains – how many schools of a similar size have such a variety of chaplains to meet the religious needs of their students?) Mass is held weekly on campus. [Department</a> of Student Life | Brandeis University](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/studentlife/Chaplaincy/christianity.html]Department”>Center for Spiritual Life | Brandeis University) It is my understanding (largely from reading the campus papers over the years my student has been there) that interfaith relations are good. Here are some links to articles you may find of interest (you may have to register to view them) – [Campus</a> chaplains invite religiously diverse students to engage in interfaith dialogue - News<a href=“about%20interfaith%20effort%20on%20campus”>/url</a>, [url=<a href=“http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/03/10/Features/Progressive.Priesthood-3666345.shtml]Progressive”>http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/03/10/Features/Progressive.Priesthood-3666345.shtml]Progressive</a> priesthood - Features<a href=“about%20Father%20Cuenin”>/url</a>.</p>
<p>I would encourage you to contact Father Cuenin. He would probably be in the best position to answer many of your questions. There is also a Catholic Students Organization. [url=<a href=“http://my.brandeis.edu/clubs/cso]Catholic”>http://my.brandeis.edu/clubs/cso]Catholic</a> Student Organization](<a href=“http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2007/08/28/News/Campus.Chaplains.Invite.Religiously.Diverse.Students.To.Engage.In.Interfaith.Dia-2939910.shtml]Campus”>http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2007/08/28/News/Campus.Chaplains.Invite.Religiously.Diverse.Students.To.Engage.In.Interfaith.Dia-2939910.shtml) There is a link on that page to their own web site where you will also find email links to students on the board of that organization – I would encourage you to contact them as well.</p>