News

JTA: Colleges Cracked Down on Encampments. But Antisemitism on Campus Hasn鈥檛 Gone Anywhere.

Author

Jonathan Falk

Date

April 29, 2026

Originally published on April 23, 2026 in JTA, “,” by 糖心vlogl Senior Vice President of Campus Solutions Jon Falk, reflects on the past two years since the 2024 campus encampment protests. Here are excerpts from the piece:

“We were used to a pretty steady stream of calls, texts, and emails reporting things like a  a  or a . As the person leading 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Israel Action and Addressing Antisemitism program, my team and I had developed an unfortunate fluency in these incidents: what they meant, how to respond, and what came next.

Then, in the middle of April 2024, something shifted. Students and others staged an anti-Israel encampment in the middle of Columbia鈥檚 campus, and within days, my inbox looked like a fire alarm had gone off simultaneously across the country as  followed. The tents multiplied. And what happened around them was not only standard protest: students chanting for the elimination of Israel, antisemitic tropes displayed openly on posters, Zionist students . For many Jewish students, the encampments felt like a message directed specifically at them: You don鈥檛 belong here. This moment confirmed just how isolated, vulnerable, and misunderstood they had become on way too many campuses…

And it has persisted regardless of what鈥檚 happening in the news cycle. We continue to see antisemitism on campus even when an immediate conflict fades from the headlines. That tells us the issue is not limited to one conflict or one protest wave. In too many places, there is now a deeper culture in which Jews are treated with suspicion, Zionists are cast outside the moral community, and anti-Jewish hostility is rationalized as politics…

[E]nforcing rules and improving security only address part of the problem. The encampments taught us that campus antisemitism is fundamentally a climate problem, not a conduct-management problem. What gets normalized, what gets excused, what university leaders are willing to name clearly 鈥� that is what shapes whether Jewish students feel they belong. If a school removes tents while leaving the ideas and norms that enabled them untouched, then that is not a solution, it is a surface repair.

Taken together, these lessons clarify what universities and the Jewish community must do next.

First, education matters. Campuses cannot rely on crisis response alone. They must invest in helping students, faculty, and administrators understand antisemitism and respond with clarity.

Second, enforcement matters, but it is not enough. Universities need to go beyond reactive responses and do the deeper, proactive work of strengthening their codes of conduct and student and faculty disciplinary procedures so expectations are clearer for everyone long term.

Third, Jewish students need more than protection. They need places where they can live Jewishly with joy, confidence, and belonging.

Fourth, universities and the Jewish community must continue investing in Jewish student resilience and leadership so students are not only protected in difficult moments, but they are equipped to lead, respond, and thrive through them…

Universities must continue to educate, enforce their rules, and create the conditions for Jewish students not only to be safe, but to live with pride and joy. This path forward is clearer than it was two years ago, and the universities willing to take it seriously have the chance to make a real difference.”

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News

eJewish Philanthropy: Expanded data from AJC 鈥楽tate of Antisemitism鈥� Shows Jewish Students More Targeted 鈥� Thriving Anyway

Author

Jay Deitcher

Date

February 20, 2026

Originally published on February 17, 2026 in eJewish Philanthropy,聽 discusses the recent data from American Jewish Committee (AJC) and 糖心vlogl’s study of Jewish college students’ recent experiences on campus.听Here are excerpts from the piece.

“Though antisemitism on college campuses is no longer the featured story on the nightly news, a larger percentage of Jewish college students report having experienced antisemitism than ever before, according to additional data on college antisemitism that was collected as part of the American Jewish Committee鈥檚 annual ‘‘ and shared exclusively with聽eJewishPhilanthropy聽on Tuesday.听

According to Adam Lehman, president and CEO of 糖心vlogl, which co-conducted the student section of the report, antisemitism is shifting away from the campus courtyards and quads and becoming weaponized in a more targeted and private way. Yet, he added, students are resilient and still thriving.

聽showed that 42% of respondents reported experiencing antisemitism during their time as a college or university student, compared to 35% in last year鈥檚聽. Of those students who experienced it, 55% said they had felt uncomfortable or unsafe at a campus event because of their Jewish identity, and 60% said that they avoided wearing, carrying or displaying things that would identify them as Jewish because of antisemitism. Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of students who had experienced antisemitism also said that they avoided expressing their views on Israel on campus or with classmates because of fears or antisemitism.

‘We continue to see the vast majority of young Jews being interested in having a relationship to Israel and recognizing Israel as a relevant part of Jewish identity, Jewish history, Jewish culture and Jewish peoplehood, even amidst a really intense demonization of Israel on campuses over the past few years,’ [Lehman] said, pointing to the report鈥檚 statistic that nearly 7 in 10 students said caring for Israel is an important part of their identity.

This resilience is something to be celebrated, Lehman said, even as Hillel fields reports of professors lowering grades due to students鈥� views on Israel, swastikas scrawled on dorm room doors and students excluded from a cappella groups due to their beliefs.

‘We always have to view these statistics in the broader context of Jewish life on campus,’ Lehman said. ‘Even at schools where we have continued to see recurring or one off instances of harassment or discrimination, we also are often seeing very high levels of engagement in Jewish life through Hillel or other institutions and Jewish students who are leading on their campuses [and] Jewish communities more broadly, who are engaging in community service, who are pursuing bridge building and dialogue across difference. They are not victims. They are working to make their campuses the kind of places that they believe they deserve and that other students who will follow deserve.'”

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News

New Survey: Four in 10 Jewish College Students Report Experiencing Antisemitism

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

February 17, 2026

Eight in 10 parents of Jewish high school students say reports of campus antisemitism affect college choices.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) and 糖心vlogl are releasing new data today detailing how American Jewish college students are changing how they engage with peers and show up on campus related to their experiences with antisemitism. As part of , AJC and 糖心vlogl partnered to document Jewish students鈥� experiences during their time on campus. The report details how current and recent American Jewish college and university students 鈥� including those who have been students in the past two years 鈥� are experiencing antisemitism, both inside and outside of the classroom.

For the four in 10 (42%) Jewish students who reported experiencing antisemitism during their time in school, 55% say they have felt uncomfortable or unsafe at a campus event because of their Jewish identity. By contrast only 9% of Jewish students who did not report experiencing antisemitism felt uncomfortable or unsafe at campus events, with 28% of all Jewish college students reporting feeling uncomfortable or unsafe. 

In total, one-third (34%) of all Jewish college and university students say they have avoided displaying their Jewish identity due to fear of antisemitism. Additionally, students who report experiencing antisemitism are far more likely to report changing behaviors out of fear of antisemitism: six in 10 (60%) say they have avoided wearing, carrying, or displaying things that would identify them as Jewish, compared to 16% of Jewish students who did not report experiencing antisemitism during their time on campus. Nearly four in 10 (38%) of all Jewish students say they have avoided expressing their views on Israel on campus or with classmates. This increases to nearly seven in 10 (68%) among students who experienced antisemitism on campus. Seventeen percent of students who did not experience antisemitism during their time as a college student say they have self-censored on Israel due to fears of antisemitism.

When looking at campus antisemitism from an institutional standpoint, 32% of Jewish college students say that they have felt that student life and/or student activities have promoted antisemitism or fueled a learning environment that is hostile to Jews. One-quarter (25%) of all Jewish college students say they have felt or been excluded from a group or an event on campus because they are Jewish.

Nearly seven in 10 (69%) of all Jewish college students say that caring about Israel is important to what being Jewish means to them and three-quarters (76%) say that the statement “Israel has no right to exist” is antisemitic.

鈥淲hile we welcome the fact that the vast majority of campuses have not been disrupted by uncontrolled protests in the past year, the data make clear that Jewish students are still experiencing antisemitism on their campuses,鈥� said Dr. Laura Shaw Frank, Vice President, AJC Center for Education Advocacy. 鈥淭his survey gives us a critical look into the less visible but no less important problems that Jews face on campus. Understanding the ways in which Jews are being excluded and changing their behavior out of fear of antisemitism is vitally important as we work with institutions of higher education to create truly inclusive campus communities.鈥�

鈥淣o Jewish student should have to hide their identity out of fear of antisemitism, yet that鈥檚 the reality for too many students today,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淥ur work on the ground every day is focused on changing that reality by creating environments where all Jewish students can find welcoming Hillel communities and can fully and proudly express their Jewish identities without fear or concern.鈥�

Critically, the vast majority (80%) of parents of Jewish high school students say that reports of antisemitism on campus are at least somewhat important in deciding where their student will attend college. 

 and 糖心vlogl are working to address these issues through engagement with college and university presidents, campus administrators, and faculty across the country. In addition to their ongoing engagement, AJC and Hillel also partnered with the American Council on Education (ACE) to hold two summits for college and university presidents, bringing together thought leaders in American higher education from across the country to discuss confronting antisemitism on campus. 

The surveys of American Jews and U.S. adults were conducted for the nonpartisan American Jewish Committee by the independent research firm SSRS. The Jewish American survey collected data from a nationally representative sample of 1,222 Jews, ages 18 or older from September 26 – October 29, 2025. The U.S. adult survey collected data from a nationally representative sample of 1,033 general population adults, 18 or older, from October 3 鈥� October 5, 2025, via the . The margin of error for Jewish respondents is +/-3.7 percentage points and for total U.S. adult respondents is +/-3.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. 

糖心vlog American Jewish Committee (AJC)

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, creating trusted partnerships with leaders around the world to ensure Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. Through 40 offices and dozens of partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC engages leaders in more than 110 countries, empowering those in government, education, partner communities, and the private sector to counter antisemitism and act as allies. For more, please visit .  

糖心vlog 糖心vlogl

糖心vlogl is the world鈥檚 largest Jewish campus organization, serving more than 180,000 students and young adults each year on more than 850 college and university campuses. With 1,200 Hillel professionals supporting Jewish students in the U.S. and 15 other countries across the globe, Hillel is uniquely positioned to pursue its mission of enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish future, and the world.

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News

How Two California Campuses Honored Holocaust Remembrance Day

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

January 27, 2026

Every year on January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945, Jewish communities and their allies around the world observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

As the years go by and there are fewer Holocaust survivors who can tell their stories firsthand, Holocaust Remembrance Day becomes more important to ensure that the truth and legacy of the Holocaust is never forgotten. Here鈥檚 how Jewish students at Hillels on two California campuses marked this day 鈥� and what the program organizers hope participants will remember.

An Evening with Sam Silberberg at Claremont Hillel

At , which serves the seven institutions that make up the Claremont Colleges, students gathered to hear firsthand testimony from Holocaust survivor . 

Born in Poland, Silberberg was only nine years old when the Nazis invaded his hometown. He survived forced labor, multiple concentration camps, and a death march before the war鈥檚 end. Now living in Orange County, Sam joined the Claremont Hillel community to share his story of resilience, survival, and hope. Students had the opportunity to engage directly with his living history, honor the memory of the Holocaust, and reflect together as a community on our responsibility to confront antisemitism and injustice.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 most meaningful to me about this program is the privilege of hearing directly from a Holocaust survivor who not only endured unimaginable trauma, but has chosen to dedicate his life to education and remembrance,鈥� said Nika Makhervaks, a second-year student at Harvey Mudd College, the Israel Leadership Network (ILN) representative for Claremont Hillel, and one of the lead organizers of the event. 鈥淟istening to Sam鈥檚 story transformed the Holocaust from something distant or abstract into something deeply human and personal.鈥�

In planning the event, Makhervaks hoped that Silberberg鈥檚 strength, courage, and willingness to share his experiences would remind students of the importance of preserving survivor testimony and honoring their legacies while they still have the chance to learn from them.

鈥淚 hope the program helps them understand the Holocaust not only as a historical event, but as a lived reality whose lessons are still deeply relevant today,鈥� Makhervaks said, noting that today鈥檚 college students are likely among the last generations who will have the privilege of hearing directly from Holocaust survivors. Sam鈥檚 story, she said, highlights the consequences of silence, indifference, and hatred, while also demonstrating extraordinary resilience and courage.

鈥淢y hope is that students leave feeling a responsibility to remember, to speak out against antisemitism and all forms of injustice, and to carry these stories forward so that the lessons of the past are never forgotten or repeated,鈥� she said.

Hearing from Survivors at University of California Irvine

Last year, University of California Irvine (UCI) hosted an event with a Holocaust survivor for Yom HaShoah 鈥� Israel鈥檚 Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is commemorated on the Hebrew anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising in 1943. This year, Shir Diner, education and outreach chair of Hillel at UCI and ILN vice chair wanted to do something similar for International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but on a larger scale.

In partnership with multiple UCI departments, schools, and offices, Hillel at UCI hosted two Holocaust survivors: Zorica Sorkin, the mother of a UCI professor, and Jenny Unterman-Leijdesdorff, the grandmother of a UCI student 鈥� and brought together more than 350聽people to hear their stories, the majority of whom were non-Jewish students and faculty.

鈥淚t is so easy to be apathetic toward textbooks,鈥� said Diner. 鈥淏ut hearing real-life stories allows our students to be exposed to personal anecdotes, which expand their empathy while also providing them stories to pass on to others in the future.鈥�

Born in Amsterdam, Unterman-Leijdesdorff was forced into hiding at age four alongside her sister after being separated from their parents. She survived and was liberated by Canadian forces, after which she learned her parents had been murdered in Sobibor. Her story is one of survival, loss, and memory. 

Sorkin鈥檚 story followed similar lines of survival and resilience. She was born in former Yugoslavia while her mother hid in a barn. Her father died fighting with the partisan resistance forces, and after the war, she and her mother searched for family, only to learn most of her relatives were murdered in Auschwitz. Sorkin and her mother eventually traveled to Israel.听

Diner is particularly proud of how many non-Jewish students participated in the event. 鈥淲e realized that the average Jewish person has heard the stories of many survivors but most non-Jewish students have never met or heard from a survivor,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e are the last generation of people able to have the opportunity to hear directly from survivors and shed light on the atrocities that occurred, so my hope is that hearing those testimonies will make a difference鈥� and really shed light on the importance of continuing education for all.鈥�

Thank you to everyone who planned, participated in, and learned from Holocaust Remembrance Day programs this year. May the memories of those killed always be blessed, and may we continue to honor the stories of survivors 鈥� and to tell them ourselves, so that they will never be lost to history.

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Antisemitism

Hillel Stories

Holidays

Hanukkah and the Magic of Miracles

Author

Matt Baram

Date

December 18, 2025

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” 鈥� Albert Einstein

At least 15 people were murdered in the Bondi Beach, Australia, terrorist attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration on December 14. We mourn the unthinkable loss of life. We mourn an attack against our Jewish brothers and sisters amid rising global antisemitism. And we mourn the assault against Hanukkah – a holiday that has become one of Judaism鈥檚 most celebrated, joyous, and recognizable holidays. 

This tragedy, among other emotions, might raise one of the classic questions of modern Jewish times: Why do we care so deeply about Hanukkah, anyway? A cynic might point to its proximity to Christmas or the appeal of eight nights of gifts. But I am no such cynic!

I believe our celebration of Hanukkah endures and thrives because it taps into something primal 鈥� a deep human need to believe in miracles.

The Jewish relationship with miracles is complicated. The Torah is full of them, from the 10 plagues to the splitting of the Red Sea. And yet, as soon as miracles appear in our tradition, we often shift the discussion to tangible human responses. The plagues were miraculous, but we emphasize the suffering they caused. The splitting of the sea was a literal divine display of power, yet we lift up Nachshon, the man who was the first to step into the sea, for taking that first step. Again and again, we temper wonder with realism.

Hanukkah could easily follow this same path. The Maccabean story is messy, and there is historical evidence that the holiday lasted eight days because the Maccabees could only celebrate Sukkot once the war was over. But Hanukkah captivates our hearts not because of its battlefield victory but rather, its celebration of miracles. Hanukkah may exist because of the heroics of the Maccabees, but is cherished because of the oil that lasted eight days.

As a Hillel professional, I鈥檝e come to see how much perspective matters. Our work is demanding. On any given day, we are educators, mentors, program-planners, marketers, fundraisers, custodians, and about 15 other jobs not included in the job description. And during hard weeks like this one, we become community huggers and consolers. We act as liaisons with police and security. We jump head over heels into the paradox of dealing with our own mourning and fears, while inspiring our communities to remain proudly and joyfully Jewish.

On Hanukkah, we are commanded to publicize the miracle of the oil. At Hillel, we do this by literally lighting our hanukkiot in public spaces, and figuratively, with our dedication to adding more light into the world. 

We fill bellies, educate minds, and nourish souls. We help students build community, find belonging, develop purpose, be their whole selves, and grow into the Jewish adults and leaders they want to become. That is miraculous. Every Jewish professional has faced their share of battles and lumps, especially these past few years, and I celebrate you for your everyday victories. But I cherish you for not ever letting the light go out.

So this Hanukkah, as we focus once again on miracles, I think about my Hillel colleagues and say to you: you are miracle workers who change the lives of hundreds of thousands of students each year. May this Hanukkah remind you of the magic you create every single day.

Matt Baram is the Ellie & Mark Lainer Executive Director at .

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News

Hillel Staff and Students Recognized at the “Shine a Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage” Awards

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

December 17, 2025

This month, announced the winners of the third annual . Powered by , these awards honor individuals who exemplify taking action against antisemitism and hate. 

糖心vlogl is proud to share that four members of the Hillel community were recognized with awards this year: Rachel Sasiene, director of the Israel Action and Addressing Antisemitism Program at 糖心vlogl; Keira Kepets, Hillel president at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice;聽 Jacqueline Dressler, senior director of advocacy at Hillel Ontario; and Dr. Amy Milligan, director of Old Dominion University Hillel.

First created in 2023, the Shine a Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Awards recognize individuals in North America who are countering hate and taking action against antisemitism often through relationships and bridge building. There are nine award categories that include Jewish campus professionals, university students, and university administrators. Rachel Sasiene and Jacqueline Dressler received awards as Jewish campus professionals, and Keira Kepets was recognized in the university student category. Dr. Milligan was honored in the university educator and administrator category.

Rachel Sasiene

In her role at 糖心vlogl, Rachel Sasiene supports more than 300 campus Hillel communities in helping students navigate rising antisemitism while maintaining a sense of pride and confidence in their Jewish identity. As a Jew of color, she brings a unique perspective, emphasizing the importance of bridge building and solidarity across communities. 

鈥淚 am deeply honored to be recognized for the work my team and I are so committed to at 糖心vlogl,鈥� said Sasiene. 鈥淲e believe every Jewish student deserves to be fully Jewish on campus, supported by a loving community of their peers. While my team works tirelessly to triage and respond to antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents, our ultimate goal is to educate about and celebrate Israel. My love for Am Yisrael, the Jewish People, grows with every resilient student I meet.鈥�

鈥淎t moments when communities feel vulnerable, Rachel models confidence and belonging,鈥� added Jon Falk, 糖心vlogl鈥檚 vice president of Israel engagement and confronting antisemitism, who works closely with Sasiene and nominated her for the award. 鈥淪he creates spaces where students and professionals feel not only supported but proud of who they are. When antisemitism tries to push students down, Rachel insists the response must be strength and visibility.鈥�

One of Sasiene鈥檚 most innovative projects has been promoting and installing solidarity mezuzot 鈥� mezuzah cases displayed without the kosher scroll as a symbol of allyship and support of the Jewish community. This kind of creative thinking about Jewish pride and unity has helped Sasiene emerge as a nationally-recognized voice in the fight against antisemitism, not just on campus but throughout the Jewish community. She merges immediate crisis response with strategic planning, ensuring that campuses aren鈥檛 just prepared to handle immediate incidents, but also plan effectively to prevent future occurrences.

鈥淭his recognition speaks volumes about Rachel鈥檚 integrity, her leadership, and the profound impact of her work supporting our Hillels in confronting antisemitism on campuses across the country,鈥� said Falk. 鈥淚鈥檓 so proud to see her contributions elevated on a national stage.鈥�

Keira Kepets

At John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Hillel President Keira Kepets has become an outspoken leader in the fight against antisemitism. After noticing biased presentations in a victimology class in 2024, Kepets not only spoke directly with her professor, but also started using her platform with Hillel to expose and address antisemitism on campus. She testified at a New York City Council Higher Education Committee hearing on the on city university policies relating to antisemitism, met with NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and also serves as the CUNY cohort leader for the 糖心vlogl Israel Leadership Network.

鈥淚 am deeply honored to be a 2025 recipient of the Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award as a university student,鈥� Kepets said. 鈥淢y college experience took an unexpected turn when antisemitism surged on my campus after October 7th. In response, I made it my mission to advocate for Jewish students who were facing profoundly challenging and painful incidents. Standing up during those moments was not a choice, it was a responsibility. This award is especially meaningful to me because it affirms that speaking out matters and how courage can create change.鈥�

鈥淲e are so proud of Keira, our amazing Hillel president, for being awarded this truly well-deserved honor,鈥� said Ilya Bratman, executive director of the . 鈥淥ver the past three years, we have been privileged to watch Keira grow into an extraordinary leader, navigating immense challenges on our campus with courage, integrity, and heart.鈥�

Kepets has written about her experiences with the Israel Leadership Network and other aspects of her work fighting antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric. She continued her leadership growth by taking part in the , traveling to Israel and the United Arab Emirates to deepen her connection to Jewish life, history, and culture. 

鈥淜eira has stood up to serious adversity, modeled resilience, patience, and strength, and consistently worked to support and bring together students across differences,鈥� Bratman said. 鈥淭hrough her leadership and example, Keira has inspired others to step forward, get involved, and believe that positive change is possible even in difficult moments.鈥�

Jacqueline Dressler

At , Jacqueline Dressler oversees campus advocacy across nine campuses, impacting a Jewish population of about 14,000 students. She plays a central role in addressing antisemitism, working not just with university leaders, but also directly with students. 

鈥淚 am inspired by a deep sense of responsibility to safeguard the right of Jewish students to be openly and proudly Jewish and Zionist on campus without fear,鈥� Dressler said. 鈥淭heir resilience is the fuel that enables me to keep pushing institutions to meet their obligations to build campuses where Jewish identity is welcomed, not demonized 鈥� and to hold those who do not uphold this standard to account.鈥�

Dressler鈥檚 work keeps her constantly on the move: from strategy and incident meetings with university administrators to attending student programs to sharing her experience and insights as a thought leader with other professionals. She also created an antisemitism education module that has become a nationwide standard, and regularly works with external organizations to enhance that training.

鈥淭his recognition from Shine A Light strengthens my resolve to keep showing up for Jewish students, demanding that they receive the supportive campus environment afforded to all students,鈥� she said.

Dr. Amy Milligan

Dr. Amy Milligan is a central figure of Jewish life and community at Old Dominion University. In addition to her work as the director of the campus Hillel, Dr. Milligan also serves as the Batten Endowed Associate Professor of Jewish studies and women鈥檚 studies and the director of the Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding. She is also the founder of the campus Jewish caucus.

鈥淛ewish students and Jewish life are at the center of all that I do,鈥� Dr. Milligan shared. 鈥淓ducation, visibility, and accountability are essential to confronting antisemitism and anti-Zionism, particularly in academic spaces, and I am motivated by a responsibility to ensure that Jewish students are not only protected, but fully seen, heard, and supported. This award affirms the urgency of that work and strengthens my resolve to continue it with clarity and courage. 

That commitment to Jewish life on campus comes with a lot of attention 鈥� not all of it positive. Dr. Milligan has experienced event disruptions, vandalism of Hillel logos, and hateful messages and social media harassment targeting her directly. However, these attacks have only made her more determined to support Jewish students and Jewish scholarship. She has contributed to articles and journals, including recently co-authoring a piece examining the effects of academic boycotts, and hosts the Am Yisrael CHAI Caf茅 in her office, giving Jewish students a safe space to gather, connect, and be themselves. Additionally, she is devoted to working on multifaith dialogue and bridge-building programs, fostering open conversations and inter-community relationships.

Congratulations to all of the awardees 鈥� this recognition is so well-deserved, and we are so proud of you. We can鈥檛 wait to see what you do next!

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News

CALL: Bringing Light to Jewish Students With Expert Legal Support

Author

Ariel Katz

Date

December 16, 2025

糖心vlogl is, and has always been, committed to the safety and security of Jewish students. In the aftermath of the terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, and the recent mass shooting at Brown University, we wanted to share a glimpse into one aspect of that commitment. , the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line, is a free, confidential resource, where students can report antisemitic incidents and access expert legal support. A partnership between 糖心vlogl, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and the Brandeis Center, CALL is supported by attorneys at each of these organizations. 

Ariel Katz, the assistant general counsel at 糖心vlogl, works to make sure Jewish students experiencing hate and exclusion have easy access to legal guidance. This is her story.听聽聽聽聽

I grew up in a large Jewish community where hanukkiot, menorahs, were even more common than Christmas trees. Being visibly Jewish was a given and part of everyday life in Skokie, Illinois.

When I left Chicago and attended college in Claremont, California, I was the only Shabbat observant student on campus, to my knowledge 鈥� a stark contrast to my childhood experiences. The Claremont Colleges did not typically attract observant students, and because of this, I was determined to be visibly and proudly Jewish. 

In my professional life, I鈥檝e maintained this desire to always be proudly and visibly Jewish. In fact, it led me to join 糖心vlogl in January 2024 as the assistant general counsel, where I鈥檝e been committed to helping this generation of Jewish college students embrace their identities without fear. Since November 2023, 糖心vlogl has partnered with the ADL and the Brandeis Center to run the , or CALL, a free, confidential resource where students can report incidents and access expert legal support. When a student submits a report, attorneys from all three organizations review the case together and determine appropriate next steps.

Over the last two years, the CALL team has received over 600 unique incident reports from Jewish individuals, including students and faculty who have faced harassment or discrimination. Reading some of these reports was harrowing, from the student who was spit on for putting up posters on campus of the hostages taken from Israel by Hamas, or the numerous students who had their mezuzot ripped off their door frames. 

Thankfully, CALL is there to empower students who have faced incidents of harassment or discrimination, helping them pursue justice, accountability, and the safety to live openly as Jews on their campuses.

I am inspired in this work by the Hanukkah story, where a small group of people, the Maccabees, fought to ensure that each Jewish person would be able to live freely. When the Maccabees reclaimed the Jewish Temple from Assyrian-Greek control, they found only enough oil to light a candle for a single day. Miraculously, it burned for eight days. Ever since, we commemorate that miracle by lighting a hanukkiah for eight nights and placing it in a window or doorway, to shine visibly outward. In fact, the requirement of the holiday is not just to light candles, but to light them publicly to publicize the miracle. And I am proud to help Jewish students year round publicize their Judaism. 

Some of the most meaningful moments of my work have been hearing from students who finally received some form of closure to incidents they reported, whether through an apology, a disciplinary action, or a revised policy, all because they reached out to CALL. While legal solutions cannot always prevent an incident, they can make a profound difference. They remind students that they are not alone, that their rights matter, and that their Jewish identity deserves respect.

My hope is all Jewish students will one day feel comfortable hanging whiteboards with Hebrew words prominently displayed, talking openly about their connection to Judaism and the land and people of Israel, and inviting friends of all backgrounds over for a game of dreidel. Their friends will listen and engage with respect and empathy, and the safety and comfort of a public Jewish life will be as mainstream as it was for me in college.

糖心vlogl and countless Hillel campus professionals are working tirelessly to make that happen. And I鈥檓 grateful that the work I do with CALL is helping students navigate the challenges they鈥檙e facing along the way.  

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Brandeis Center, 糖心vlogl & ADL Reach Major Agreement with Pomona College for Significant Campus Reforms to Resolve Federal Antisemitism Complaint

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

December 10, 2025

Following the filing of a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Pomona has agreed to adopt reforms to address antisemitism and improve anti-discrimination protections for Jewish and Israeli students.

Washington, D.C. 鈥� Today, the , 糖心vlogl, and the (ADL) announced a with Pomona College to resolve that the College permitted severe discrimination and harassment of Jewish students in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. As part of the settlement, Pomona has agreed to adopt a comprehensive set of significant reforms designed to address antisemitism on campus, enhance protections from discrimination for Jewish and Israeli students, and align its policies and practices with Title VI and federal guidance.听

Under the terms of the settlement announced today, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance鈥檚 Definition of Antisemitism (IHRA Definition), including its contemporary examples, will play a meaningful role in Pomona鈥檚 evaluation of antisemitic conduct. Pomona鈥檚 Non-Discrimination Policy and related training will be updated to reflect use of the IHRA Definition in identifying antisemitism. The College鈥檚 website will be updated with detailed guidance on the Non-Discrimination Policy to provide clear, practical explanations of how antisemitism 鈥� including anti-Zionist harassment targeting Jewish students 鈥� violates Pomona鈥檚 policies and Title VI. Pomona鈥檚 website will also be updated to include information on the IHRA Definition and OCR guidance, and the College鈥檚 President will issue institutional messaging affirming that antisemitism and anti-Zionism can constitute prohibited discrimination and harassment under Title VI.

Pomona has also agreed to appoint a Title VI Coordinator responsible for overseeing the College鈥檚 compliance with Title VI and to ensure that the investigation and adjudication of antisemitism complaints are overseen by administrators trained to understand modern manifestations of antisemitism. Pomona will also implement significant policy updates governing student conduct, including strengthened time, place, and manner rules for demonstrations, including updated policies on flyers and event registration; an explicit prohibition on masked protests (modeled on the University of Virginia鈥檚 鈥淐oncealment of Identity鈥� policy); and a revised Encampment Policy that includes clear definitions and enforceable prohibitions. In addition, the agreement provides that the College will re-engage as a full participant in 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Campus Climate Initiative (CCI) and will also establish an Advisory Council on Jewish Life and Antisemitism, which will include representation from the Executive Director of Claremont Hillel and Claremont Chabad.

The College further commits to making good faith efforts to work with the other Claremont Colleges to adopt numerous policy reforms, including enhanced time, place, and manner rules governing demonstrations and protests and a prohibition against demonstrations that promote harassment or violate Pomona鈥檚 revised Student Conduct Code.

This comprehensive settlement will resolve the OCR complaint the organizations filed in April 2024, which described antisemitic hostility and discrimination skyrocketing on Pomona鈥檚 campus following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack in Israel. For details on incidents of antisemitism at Pomona College, please refer to the original press release . OCR opened an investigation into the allegations in the complaint in August 2024.

鈥淎fter October 7, Jewish and Israeli students and teachers across the country were forced to live in fear on their own campuses. But there were many, including those at Pomona, who exemplified strength and stood up to the bigotry and hatred that threatened them,鈥� said Hon. Kenneth L. Marcus, chairman of the Brandeis Center and the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education who ran the Office for Civil Rights. 鈥淭he action steps outlined in this settlement will address the blatant and egregious antisemitism faced by Pomona鈥檚 students, therefore protecting students from facing similar treatment in the future, and we hope it encourages others to take legal action against those who violate our constitutional rights.鈥澛�

鈥淛ewish students at Pomona deserve to feel secure and welcome on their campus, just like every other student,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淭his settlement shows what鈥檚 possible when institutions take responsibility and commit to meaningful reforms designed to ensure Jewish students can learn and thrive. These include a specific prohibition against anti-Zionist harassment when it targets Jewish students in violation of their civil rights, a commitment to full participation in Hillel鈥檚 Campus Climate Initiative, and facilitating programming on Jewish identity, including the Zionist component of Jewish identity. We鈥檙e proud to have worked alongside the Brandeis Center, ADL, and Arnold & Porter to achieve this outcome and believe that this will serve as a roadmap for other schools.鈥�

鈥淭oday鈥檚 settlement marks a critical turning point for Pomona鈥檚 Jewish students, faculty, and staff. The comprehensive reforms negotiated with Pomona touch nearly every aspect of campus life, and we welcome the college鈥檚 significant, multi-faceted commitment to fighting antisemitism on its campus,鈥� said

Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. 鈥淲ith the reforms in this agreement, we expect meaningful and urgent strides toward Pomona鈥檚 promise of creating a safe and welcoming environment for its Jewish and Israeli students, faculty, and staff.鈥�

The parties negotiated the agreement with the support of an OCR mediator.

糖心vlog the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law:

The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law is an independent, unaffiliated, nonprofit corporation established to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promote justice for all. LDB engages in research, education, and legal advocacy to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism on college and university campuses, in the workplace, and elsewhere. It empowers students by training them to understand their legal rights and educates administrators and employers on best practices to combat racism and antisemitism. The Brandeis Center is not affiliated with the Massachusetts university, the Kentucky law school, or any of the other institutions that share the name and honor the memory of the late U.S. Supreme Court justice.

糖心vlog 糖心vlogl:

For over 100 years, the Hillel movement has been uniquely focused on serving all Jewish students, no matter who they are or how they express their Judaism. Today, Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, serving more than 180,000 Jewish students each year at 850+ colleges and universities around the world.

糖心vlog Anti-Defamation League (ADL): 

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is 鈥渢o stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.鈥� Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at .

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Hillel Asks the Experts: Navigating Antisemitism on Campus

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

December 5, 2025

Over the past three years, more than 200,000 Jewish students and young adults have participated in Hillel programs and relationships, from leading Shabbat meals and activities to organizing holiday celebrations to attending leadership programs and joining volunteer service opportunities. 

At the same time, antisemitic incidents on college campuses in the United States. and Canada have reached alarmingly high rates following the October 7, 2023 attacks 鈥� the highest in history. While  vandalism and physical assaults are down significantly this academic year, many prospective Jewish college students and their families are still apprehensive about their upcoming college experience.

As high school students and their families navigate the college search process, 糖心vlogl is committed to ensuring you have the information you need about what Jewish life on campus is like right now and all the ways Hillel is helping students navigate the changing environment. The latest installment of 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Virtual College Prep Series, does exactly that. Here are five top takeaways from this session, offered by our community of experts!

1. Some of the most important work in combating antisemitism and changing campus climate happens behind the scenes.听

One of the clear takeaways in the aftermath of October 7 and the immediate swell of antisemitic activity was that many colleges and universities didn鈥檛 have clear systems or mechanisms for enforcing the policies designed to keep their students safe. To address the issue, 糖心vlogl expanded existing education and training programs for campus administrators and staff  and launched new programs to meet the moment.

鈥�We’ve now trained more than 3,000 [administrators] on the nature of contemporary antisemitism,鈥� said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of 糖心vlogl, in remarks during the session. 鈥淲e’ve worked with them on how they can improve their policies around time, place, and manner restrictions for protest activity, disciplinary consistency鈥� and also providing that education for professionals and students.鈥�

. 鈥淥ne of the things that we did is we went out and educated universities to really understand their own rules and how to enforce rules,鈥� added Jon Falk, vice president for Israel Engagement and Confronting Antisemitism. 鈥淸It has] also been vitally important when it comes [to educating]students in student government, fraternities and sororities鈥� about antisemitism, but also teaching them about Jews, right? It’s really important to teach people who Jews are.鈥�

Students feel the impact of these trainings over time,  and having clearer policies and procedures for enforcement is making a difference in the amount of antisemitic incidents on campuses across the country.

2. Take a holistic view of each campus you鈥檙e considering 鈥� sometimes campuses that made the biggest headlines for antisemitic incidents also have some of the most vibrant Jewish communities.

鈥淭ake a college tour and really talk to people about what鈥檚 going on鈥� is one of our most frequently repeated tips on these webinars 鈥� but there鈥檚 a reason for it! 

There are Hillel communities, Falk said, that his team has supported through numerous incidents, but the amount of Jewish programs they offer far exceeds those incidents. For example, Falk noted that some campus Hillels have one hundred times as many students at Shabbat dinner as they do students who have experienced an antisemitic incident. He reiterated the importance of looking at the entire campus experience, and thinking about the overall community each student is looking for. 

Sophie Kalmin, a fourth-year student at Emory University who serves as the president of Emory Hillel as well as a representative to  糖心vlogl鈥檚 Israel Leadership Network, agreed. 鈥淒on’t let a headline or a social media post you saw about a school intimidate you from applying there,鈥� she said.

3. Hillel professionals aren鈥檛 your only resources on campus: There are student leaders at every level of the Hillel community who have your back.

Campus Hillel professionals make a difference every single day in supporting Jewish students on campus, and they work in partnership with more than 10,000 students engaging in active leadership roles 鈥� on campus, at the regional level, and even on the national level. 

鈥淸These students are] enthusiastic, they have energy, they’re committed, and they care about what’s inspiring to them and about inspiring each other. We’re seeing more and more students raise their hands. They want to lead, they want Hillel as their place for leadership,鈥� said Jillian Juni, executive director at Syracuse Hillel. 鈥� They see the value in what Hillel has to offer, and they’re able to articulate that value 鈥� to stakeholders, to their peers, to each other, and to prospective students.鈥�

4. Forming your own opinions through real-life experience is important for students聽 and parents.

One of the things that makes college so unique is that campus environments are always changing. Often, a school鈥檚 past track record of antisemitic incidents or insufficient administrative response is not indicative of what it will be like in the future 鈥� or even the reality today.

Rather than relying on past years鈥� incidents, Rabbi Kenny Weiss, executive director of , and the other panelists emphasized the importance of building joyful Jewish communities in the here and now. By taking that approach, Weiss says, 鈥� [The] energy has actually been funneled into creating a more vibrant Jewish life on our campuses.鈥�

Taking it a step further, Juni shared that it鈥檚 not just important for students (and parents) to form their own opinions about their campus environments, but to do so in real life 鈥� outside of what they read online. 鈥淲e鈥檙e always encouraging students… to just spend more time with people,鈥� she said. 鈥淪pend less time on social media, helping them develop their skills to think critically, [and] engage in conversations with their peers and their teachers.鈥�

One great Hillel resource to support students in building those skills and feeling more confident exploring those conversations is , an award winning, one-stop-shop for educating and empowering Jewish college students to build safer, more welcoming campus communities.

5. Don鈥檛 let fear define your college journey. No matter what, Hillel will be there for you.

At the end of the day, students must decide for themselves what role a school鈥檚 historic approach to antisemitism or prevalence of incidents plays in their decision. What鈥檚 most important, said Kalmin, is putting what you want from your college experience ahead of the what-ifs. 

鈥淒on鈥檛 let your detractors, don鈥檛 let your worst fears determine what these four years are going to be like for you,鈥� she said, recounting that much of her college experience has been shaped by the environment on campus after October 7, when she was a second-year student. 鈥淚鈥檝e had lots of really hard moments at Emory because of anti-Israel advocacy, because of antisemitism, but I learned so much… I had the support from Hillel鈥� and it鈥檚 really shaped me to be who I am. It brought me here.鈥�

鈥淭he one thing I鈥檝e seen more than any鈥� is that [Jewish students] continue to come to Hillel,鈥� Falk said. 鈥淵ou would assume, oh, antisemitism is on the rise, I鈥檓 going to go hide in my dorm. We鈥檙e seeing the opposite, right? They鈥檙e coming to Hillel. They鈥檙e doubling down on Jewish life.鈥�

And no matter what else is happening, on campus or off, Hillel will be there to help them find joy and belonging.

For all the insights and takeaways from our student and professional panelists, check out the full webinar recording. Good luck to all prospective students and families 鈥� and if you have any questions, Hillel is always here to help!

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Hillel During the Firestorm: Shelter, Teacher, Negotiator

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

November 3, 2025

At Brown University, the executive director of Hillel received anonymous death threats. At Columbia University, the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life was approached by protesters calling for Hillel鈥檚 removal. And at Harvard University, Jewish students entering Rosovsky Hall 鈥� home to Harvard Hillel 鈥� were greeted by chants of 鈥淶ionists are not welcome here.鈥� The surge in antisemitism since the October 7, 2023 attacks has left many Jewish students feeling fearful and isolated. On college campuses, Hillel directors have stood squarely in the breach as educators, community-builders, and, at times, crisis managers.

Moderated by Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, 糖心vlogl campus support director and senior educator, a recent conversation at The Temple Emanu-El鈥檚 Streicker Center in New York brought together five Hillel executive directors: Rabbi Josh Bolton (Brown RISD Hillel), Brian Cohen (Columbia/Barnard Hillel鈥檚 Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life), Jessica Lemons (Stony Brook Hillel), Rabbi Jason Rubenstein (Harvard Hillel), and Merav Fine Braun (Rita Levine Rabin Hillel at Hunter College).

Rabbi Leshaw framed the stakes clearly: even as eight in 10 Jewish students have experienced or witnessed antisemitism in the last two years, more than 187,000 students engaged with Hillel this past year, the most since Hillel鈥檚 founding in 1923. The crisis has also catalyzed a generation of Jewish students seeking deeper belonging, learning, and purpose.

鈥淚鈥檓 going to go back before October 7th, and just share that Columbia University had one of the most vibrant, engaged, diverse  Jewish communities,鈥� said Brian Cohen. Then the campus environment shifted drastically. He added, 鈥淲hat I鈥檓 here to tell you, unfortunately, is that the encampments were the very tip of the iceberg. When you go under the surface and look at what too many students, faculty, and staff experienced, it was tokenization, exclusion, harassment, bullying, complete disregard for the rules of the university, and a complete disregard for just civility towards one another.鈥� Safety came first. The university closed its gates to the public on October 12, 2023, something it had not done since September 11, 2001, amid surging demonstrations on and around campus.

鈥淭he second piece was just ensuring Jewish joy on campus,鈥� Cohen said. An Israeli psychologist began holding weekly hours in the Hillel building, lowering barriers for students to seek support in Hebrew and English. Hillel hosted Israeli musician Ishay Ribo for a restorative concert. But Cohen also found himself in the role of advocate for Jewish students. 鈥淲e asked people to reach out to the president’s office at Columbia and demand that the president meet with Jewish and Israeli students. The other piece is that we demanded that the rules be clarified and enforced,鈥� he reflected.听

At Hunter College, where the Jewish population includes Russian, Mizrahi, and Orthodox students, the students鈥� needs were different. As a commuter campus with 80% food insecurity among students, Hunter鈥檚 student needs are foundational and urgent. Fine Braun praised partners who backed concrete solutions. 鈥淲e finally got kosher food at our cafeteria鈥� but you can get it at Hunter Hillel for less鈥� free if you need it to be free, but more if you want to pay,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur campus, Hunter, was [also] the first to pioneer a full-time social worker on our campus, embedded in the Hillel. I’m deeply proud of this program. It has been life changing for our students, and it’s nationwide now and CUNY-wide now.” 

The week after October 7, 鈥淲e came into the Week of Rage, in which our entire school was cloaked in keffiyehs,鈥� Fine Braun recalled. She wanted to remind students that Hillel would always be their home away from home. 鈥淚 called 150 students that day. I made a video and I posted it on Instagram. And what I said in the video was, 鈥業 want you to remember that I love you and you’re beautiful, and you deserve to be here, and your joy matters. So come to Hillel.鈥欌�� 

For Stony Brook Hillel鈥檚 Jessica Lemons, the moment that changed everything came in a phone call from campus police. 鈥淭hey asked me if we needed extra security,鈥� she remembered. 鈥淎nd I asked them why? What should I know that you know? And they said, 鈥楧o you know what’s happening in Israel?鈥欌�� That call was emblematic of the relationships Stony Brook had already built. 鈥淧rior to October 7th, we actually had an antisemitism task force already in place,鈥� Lemons said. 

The first year was bruising: encampments, two rounds of arrests, harassment of visibly Jewish students, and even Lemons鈥� car being keyed. Then, according to Lemons, their administration said, 鈥淒on鈥檛 get comfortable, don鈥檛 relax, because we鈥檝e got work to do.鈥� They mapped policies for every scenario, clarified procedures, trained faculty and staff on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and met regularly with SUNY leadership. 鈥淲e saw a 90% decrease in reported antisemitic incidents from the 2023-2024 academic year to the following year,鈥� Lemons reported. 鈥淚 think it is really indicative of the fact that when you make policies and you actually stick to the consequences that you’ve articulated to students, faculty, and staff, it actually makes a big difference.鈥�

In Providence, Rhode Island, Rabbi Josh Bolton described a Brown University campus that is 鈥渜uieter than a year ago,鈥� yet still shaped by deeper currents that erupted after October 7th. He sees students turning to Jewish life not only for refuge but for meaning. Engagement is strong, and students are creating new initiatives, especially in the arts. Last year, amid divestment debates, Brown RISD Hillel adopted a refrain rooted in pragmatic joy. Rabbi Bolton said, 鈥淲hen the calls are made to divest, we believe that this is a time to invest strongly in the future of Jewish life on campus.鈥� Still, Rabbi Bolton warned that anti-Zionist and antisemitic rhetoric is entrenched in the broader university culture, a phenomenon that won鈥檛 change overnight. 鈥淲hat are the long-term models that we’re going to use and employ in order to begin to dial that culture in a different direction,鈥� he said.

At Harvard, Rabbi Jason Rubenstein urged his community to broaden their approach to antisemitism. 鈥淲e鈥檝e primarily defaulted to a framework of, 鈥楢re Jewish students safe?鈥� [But there can also be] a major problem for the Jewish community, even if there are no Jewish students in that seminar room,鈥� he shared. He described a culture where 鈥渋t鈥檚 kind of axiomatic that Israel is evil, maybe the paradigm of evil.鈥� Rabbi Rubenstein has focused on helping alumni become 鈥渋nformed, cohesive, and effective,鈥� coordinating messages and relationships 鈥� including with Harvard governance stakeholders 鈥� so change happens at the level that endures. 

Across their differences, a shared picture emerges where Hillel directors became crisis responders and spiritual counselors, policy partners and culture builders, sometimes all in the same day. As Rabbi Danielle Leshaw noted, the numbers tell only part of the story. The rest is found in the leaders who refused to let fear define Jewish life for their students, and who insisted, in every language available, that Jewish belonging, learning, and love still have a home on campus.

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