ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the findings of a focus group study with undergraduate and graduate Jewish students at a post-secondary institution in Western Canada. It will be argued that the notion of ‘Jewish identity’ or ‘Jewishness’ carries multiple overlapping – and often contradictory – meanings for Jewish students. Although our focus group participants challenged the notion of a homogenous ‘group identity’, their experiences with anti-Jewish attitudes and sentiments were often similar, if not identical. Jewish students who decide to publically express their identity are exposed to negative stereotyping and prejudice. Even those students who are less open about their religious and/or ethnic affiliation and selfidentification are expected to act as experts on all things Jewish, especially on Israeli politics and policies. Our results also reinforce that ‘Jews have often been defined . . . within the discourse of surrounding majorities’ (Glenn and Sokoloff 2010: 3). It is this confrontation with the dominant culture on campus that creates the most tension and conflict for Jewish students both inside and outside the classroom.
