Outdated stereotypes

Much of the cynicism that accompanied my college-related conversations likely stemmed from the not-too-distant memory of 1958’s “dirty bicker.” There was a newly instated 100 percent acceptance system, where all students were guaranteed admittance to one of the eating clubs. The system was a big step forward in weeding out elitism, except that 23 students were not allowed entrance into any eating club — 15 of these students were Jewish. This episode was a distant 53 years ago, but the perception it created was long lasting. The fact that Princeton’s Jewish population comprises about 13 percent of the student body, compared to over 25 percent at Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Penn, only reinforces this perception. Rightfully or not, these statistics are significant in a Jewish student’s evaluation of potential religious comfort.

After being here at Princeton for almost a whole semester, I can testify that Princeton has created an environment where not only is it easy to remain a religious Jew, but it is possible to get exposure to Judaism even when one does not seek it out. The Center for Jewish Life is located on prime Orange Bubble real estate in the center of campus. It is the closest place to catch lunch near Lewis Library. University Dining Services provides thrice-daily kosher meals at the CJL dining hall, the only University dining facility operated for the benefit of a religious group. The CJL meal plan is entirely integrated into the greater campus dining culture. The lunch tables are often filled with members of the Princeton community who have no identification or affiliation with the Jewish community.

It is difficult to relay with what extreme ease and pleasure I keep the Jewish traditions. The CJL offers daily prayer services and various events that are intended to strengthen the Jewish community on campus. Across campus, Chabad House provides a unique and authentic set of Jewish experiences. Chabad has weekly Sabbath meals and provides students with the opportunity to study religious hermeneutics at their leisure.

In making it easy to be a religious Jew on campus, Princeton goes beyond the acceptance of established religious institutions. They tackle the potentially problematic elements of campus life that could pose issues for a religious Jewish student. The most prevalent example is the supplying of manual keys for student dorm rooms. The use of electricity on the Sabbath is understood by some in the Jewish community as forbidden, which could inhibit religious students’ ability to enter their living space on Saturday. Princeton goes out of its way to ensure that this is not the reality. Tests and assignments can be rescheduled based on the calendar restraints of Jewish students, as holidays often inhibit the observer’s ability to write. Even before school begins Princeton is cognizant of Jewish sensitivities: Outdoor Action offers a modified agenda to those who observe Rosh Hashanah.

The acceptance of the Jewish community by the greater student body was made most evident to me over the course of Hanukkah, where various parties were hosted by eating clubs, the historic epicenter of Princetonian elitism and exclusion. An image that will likely stick with me is a room full of Cloister Inn members gathered around a table playing with dreidels (spinning-tops) while eating traditional holiday foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Princeton’s changing diversity-related trends, while old news, are only now being realized by the religious Jewish community. An immediate manifestation of this awareness is evidenced by more than a dozen Israel-seminary-bound Jewish students who will help make up the Class of 2015.

While I can only speak for, and base on the observations of, a very specific minority of students, I do consider myself a witness to the century-long about-face in Princeton’s policies. In fact, Princeton now has a higher proportion of minorities than the United States at large. The Class of 2014 contains 490 students who identify as members of a minority group, which comes out to 37.3 percent of the total student population. The Class of 2014 also lays claim to 141 international students — 10.7 percent of the grade. The population of the United States is 34.9 percent “minority” (non-white or Hispanic). You can read these numbers as successfully combating exclusionary policies or as affirmative action, but any way you look at them, the numbers hardly indicate any particular concentration of “white Anglo-Saxon Protestantism.”

I understand that the statistical trends speak for themselves, and the clear message is that Princeton has become more open; nonetheless, there remains a dated notion that I would like to dispel. Princeton is a place where one can be a proud minority. I have felt no sense of being “different” since I have been here.

Aaron Applbaum is a freshman from Oakland, Calif. He can be reached at applbaum@princeton.edu.