Who

The European Union of Jewish Students

The European Union of Jewish Students is an umbrella organisation for 34 national Jewish student unions in Europe and the FSU, representing over 200,000 Jewish students.  Cognizant of the religious, linguistic and cultural diversity that make up the European Jewish community, EUJS strives to present a variety of perspectives through its leadership training programs, educational seminars and international conferences, all tailor-made to the needs of its students.  Throughout its history, EUJS has placed itself at the cutting edge of inter-cultural and inter-religious programming, as well as programming related to genocide education, advocacy and Jewish continuity in Europe.
In contrast to the view that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, EUJS operates on the basis that the students which it serves and represents have a duty to act as leaders today, paving the way for a future infused with a strong Jewish identity and a commitment to the humanistic ideals embraced by Judaism.
Since its founding in 1978 the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) has been at the forefront of ensuring a Jewish future in Europe. Its vibrant student community has been paving the way for democracy, pluralism and inclusiveness throughout the continent – traveling to the FSU before the fall of the Berlin Wall, demonstrating in Durban, bringing the first international Jewish conference to Turkey, reinvigorating student Jewish life in Serbia immediately after the fall of Milosevic. Today EUJS students and young adults serve the civic society in Europe with a strong and persistent voice, instilling the values encrypted in Judaism into the broader society on the continent.
EUJS is a constituent member of the European Youth Forum, the leading platform for more than 90 national youth councils and international NGOs, and is the only Jewish organization represented at that level.  It is supported by the Council of Europe, the European Commission, all recognized Jewish organizations, and is a member of the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS). EUJS is one of the largest international student organizations worldwide and the first Jewish Youth NGO to obtain the special Consultative Status to the ECOSOC of the United Nations.   Its annual programming includes the Summer University, international, inter-religious, inter-generational seminars, study sessions at the European Youth Centre, and cutting edge work that puts it at the forefront of the European context.

The Swiss Union of Jewish Students

The Swiss Union of Jewish Students is the umbrella organization of seven Jewish student organizations across Switzerland, representing more than a 1000 Jewish students nationwide. Founded in 1948, SUJS today play a vital role in the lives of Jews across Switzerland.
SUJS organizes numerous events such as winter camp, national gatherings, spring meeting and much more. SUJS works in collaboration with fellow student associations of other European countries and with the European Union of Jewish Students, in accordance with the long tradition of the European Jews to consider themselves as citizens of Europe.
Besides for organizing and running events for young Jews in Switzerland, SUJS is also involved in the building of an open and tolerant European society by participating in inter-faith dialogue and taking part in the public political debate. This can be seen most clearly regarding the fight against racism and the defence of the State of Israel in the public sphere. This form of engagement has enabled SUJS to forge important ties with other youth organizations and NGOs, prove its commitment to fight racism and anti-Semitism, maintain dialogue with other religious groups, and defend Israel.

The main objectives of SUJS are among other things, to strengthen the local students unions and to strengthen the solidarity towards Israel among Jewish students in Switzerland. To provide a functioning network for Jewish students and to represent Swiss Jewish students before all umbrella organizations.

SUJS is looking forward to welcome you all in Switzerland and to host Summer U 2009.