I have always admired Judaism because it stresses the importance of family, tradition, and most of all, culture – rather than just religion and ideology. As Jews, our history and traditions are so rich that it is important to honor our culture even while we are away at school.
Jewish students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison recognize this. That’s why, this fall, a group of dedicated students stood before the Associated Students of Madison Student Services Finance Committee requesting a grant from the Associated Students of Madison Student Council and permission to begin a University-recognized organization, the Jewish Cultural Collective (JCC). The student council agreed – and the JCC was born.
Celebrating the arts, the Jewish Cultural Collective is an organization that houses a variety of programs, including The Voice, a student-run magazine which serves as a forum for Jewish opinions, events, and leaders; the Jewish Theatre Project, which presents Jewish-themed plays; a cinema that holds two annual film festivals featuring Jewish films such as The Hebrew Hammer; a coffeehouse, which allows Jewish students to showcase their artistic talents; and an event series, which brings innovative thinkers and inspiring celebrities like Ben Stein and Tony Kushner to the UW-Madison campus.
The JCC also has its own graphic designer, news editor, and executive committee. All of the positions are filled by students – but not only by Jewish students. Seeking to inspire cultural exchange, the Jewish Cultural Collective encourages students of all backgrounds to participate in its many programs. “We don’t prescribe ourselves to a certain ideology, and we’re not a religious organization,” says JCC Chair Joel Bennett, a senior at the University of Wisconsin. “We’re here to better educate and involve students with the diverse culture and society of Judaism.”
With approximately 4,000 Jewish undergraduate students and 1,000 Jewish graduate students, the University of Wisconsin is ranked in the top 10 public universities for its Jewish-student population. UW-Madison’s diverse campus has proved a dynamic environment for the Jewish Cultural Collective. Not only do its unique programs work to educate UW students about Jewish culture – they also provide an outlet for students to celebrate Jewish life on campus each day.
