My faith and being a medical student are two hugely important parts of who I am. They are not separate parts. Judaism places great importance on taking practical steps to improve the world, teaching that our actions are equally – or more – important than our belief.
The Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam has always resonated with me deeply: the mandate to ‘repair the world’ through social and moral justice. We are also told in the Talmud that if you save one life, it is as though you have saved the entire world. Together, these teachings have fuelled my desire to become a doctor, and hopefully to fulfil this mandate through service to patients and their families.
Judaism, like many faiths, contains many denominations which each interpret scripture with different nuances. As a Reform Jew (part of the Progressive movement), I grew up going to a synagogue where men and women worshipped together in services often led by female rabbis. I wear secular clothing, and although I am proud to be culturally and spiritually Jewish, since moving to university I am guilty of only attending synagogue for the High Holy Days (sorry Dad!).
ABIGAIL GOODMAN
My Judaism also informed some of my desire to become more active in the BMA, as a medical students committee representative for my university. The phrase ‘two Jews, three opinions’ has always rung true in my own community, and I hope to use this desire for debate and discussion to ensure medical students from Liverpool have their voices heard nationally.
The BMA’s faith guidance is clear that no one should be judged for how they practise their faith, and we can’t make any assumptions. For example, my practices and beliefs won’t necessarily be the same as other Jewish students. Judaism is an old and complicated faith, and as a Progressive Jew, my experiences will be very different from someone from an Orthodox background.
The practical realities for medical students observing a faith
Medical students who practise a faith sometimes need flexibility and accommodations from their medical school to enable them to do so. This isn’t a bad thing; it is the reality of supporting faith diversity.
For example, some students need access to prayer spaces, and to take time out of class for a prayer break. Some students need disposable oversleeves when on surgical placements. It’s important that they feel welcome and not judged.
Some students may need to request days off for religious holidays – in the case of Jewish students, the High Holy Days which mark the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are two of the most important days in the religious calendar, and are a chance for communities to join together to reflect on the past year. Yom Kippur involves a 25-hour fast, abstaining from food and water.
It can be challenging to observe these holidays around timetables which often schedule lectures, workshops and placements over them; in my first year, term started on the day of Yom Kippur. I made the decision to attend classes, but kept my fast – no one seemed to notice I didn’t eat anything when we had lunch together!
The BMA medical students committee has heard from students about the negative practical and emotional impacts of these challenges. Having to repeatedly explain needs or ask for accommodations is a huge strain for already busy students. Some students struggle with feeling guilty or burdened by making these requests.
In my experience, universities are keen to make accommodations where possible. I have seen some great examples of faith inclusivity at medical school, and some very active faith-based societies on campus. Still, it can be really difficult to know what to prioritise – feeling like missing any timetabled event could harm your education, but wanting to spend time connecting to your faith, culture, and community.
Faith inclusivity is not all about enabling observance; is also about tackling discrimination. For students who are more visibly Jewish than me, violent antisemitism is a real concern. I am often careful about who I speak to about my faith. Most of the time, I find that people have very little knowledge of Judaism; many say I am the first Jewish person they have really spoken to. Other students are very open and ask questions that I am happy to try to answer – although if they asked another Jew, they might be told I got it totally wrong!
With increasing division between communities and faiths, I hope that BMA guidance and blogs like this give students the encouragement they need to reflect on their own backgrounds, and the gaps in their knowledge. I hope students are empowered to ask questions and open to getting to know people, so we might all feel closer in our medical school communities.
What you can do
- Please read and share the BMA’s faith guidance; it calls on medical schools to be supportive and inclusive
- Be open to listening and curious to learn about your peers’ faiths
- Remember that the world is hugely diverse. As doctors we will treat people of many different backgrounds, and it’s vital that we lead by example in accepting and appreciating our differences.
Abigail Goodman is a third-year medical student at Liverpool Medical School and a member of the BMA medical students committee.