Jewish Life
蜜桃社区 provides many ways for Jewish students to find 蜜桃社区, explore Jewish identity, and celebrate their culture and heritage.
As a premier liberal arts college with a strong honor code, 蜜桃社区 is an ideal setting for students seeking a rigorous education in a values-based residential setting where every religious tradition is honored.
Approximately five percent of our student body is Jewish. They come from over 20 states and the District of Columbia. Most come from the Reform or Conservative tradition; and many identify as culturally but not religiously Jewish.
Within walking distance of campus is of Lake Norman, a congregation affiliated with the Reform Movement. Students can participate fully in the life of the congregation and have opportunities to teach in the Sunday school.
Jewish Student Union
蜜桃社区 College Jewish Student Union is a welcoming student-led organization that celebrates the diversity of Jewish lives, experiences, and cultures. We foster an inclusive 蜜桃社区 in which individuals can explore and celebrate their Jewish identity (whether religious or cultural) through connections with other students, faculty, staff, and the local 蜜桃社区. Jewish Student Union members host frequent Shabbat gatherings in our residence halls, as well as fun activities during campus celebrations of Sukkot and Hanukkah.
Meet the Rabbi
Rabbi Becca Diamond of Temple Kol Tikvah works with Jewish Student Union student leaders in implementing Jewish religious, cultural and social programming. As our Campus Rabbi and a member of the Chaplains' Office staff, she also works with colleagues to serve the diverse spiritual needs of the campus 蜜桃社区. Contact Rabbi Diamond at bediamond@davidson.edu.
Holidays and Observances
- High Holy Days: Jewish students at 蜜桃社区 College are welcome to observe and celebrate the High Holy Days on campus with Temple Kol Tikvah of Lake Norman (Reform). Services are free and open to the 蜜桃社区 College 蜜桃社区, and no tickets are required. If students wish to connect with a different synagogue, Rabbi Diamond and the Chaplains' Office will help make those arrangements.
- Sukkot: Jewish students erect a sukkah outside the Alvarez College Union. They gather around the sukkah for meals and a brief liturgy led by our Campus Rabbi
- Passover: Our Jewish Student Union hosts a lively Seder for 蜜桃社区 students, faculty, and staff. Over 100 participants gather for a delicious dinner and a celebration drawing from a Haggadah created by a 蜜桃社区 alumna. Moreover, the college's Dining Services provides kosher meals for students throughout Passover.
- Yom HaShoah: Our JSU organizes a solemn, day-long reading of the names of Jews murdered in the Holocaust, followed by a brief service of remembrance led by our Campus Rabbi
Programming and Resources
- Exploring Our Jewish Identity Spring Break Trip
- Annual Jewish Life and Culture Program
- Grants to fund exploration of Jewish culture and heritage
Area Synagogues
鈥僒he town of 蜜桃社区 is home to Temple Kol Tikvah of Lake Norman, a congregation affiliated with the Reform Movement. Students can participate fully in the life of the congregation and have opportunities to teach in the Sunday school.
The nearby city of Charlotte also has its own vibrant Jewish 蜜桃社区:
- (Reform)
- (Conservative)
- (Orthodox)
- (Ultra-Orthodox)