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糖心vlogl鈥檚 New Student Cabinet to Shape Future of Jewish Campus Life

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

July 21, 2026

Student leaders will elevate the voices of nearly 200,000 Jewish students from over 850 campuses around the world.

 糖心vlogl, the world鈥檚 largest Jewish campus organization, today announced the 20 members of the 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet for the 2026-2027 school year. The selected students will collaborate with 糖心vlogl staff as trusted advisors, bringing diverse perspectives to task forces and serving as ambassadors of the Hillel movement. 

This year鈥檚 group is spread across the United States, Canada, Israel, South America, and Poland. Members were nominated by their campus Hillel for their exceptional leadership and commitment to enriching Jewish student life on campus. 

“The Student Cabinet provides exceptional Hillel student leaders drawn from across our global movement the opportunity to guide and influence critical conversations about Jewish life on campus today and in the future,鈥� said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of 糖心vlogl. “We depend on the valuable insights and reflections from our Student Cabinet leaders, and we鈥檙e very excited to work with this new cohort of Student Cabinet members in the year ahead.鈥�

Founded in 2015, the Student Cabinet helps shape Hillel’s mission of putting the voices of students first. The initiative is a core part of Hillel鈥檚 in empowering the next generation of student leaders.

Rachel Lennard of the University of Oregon and Ben Small of the University of Pennsylvania will serve as the incoming Cabinet鈥檚 co-chairs and represent their peers as members of the 糖心vlogl Board of Directors.

鈥淗illel serves as a second home for Jewish college students around the world, providing a nurturing environment for their personal and professional growth,鈥� said Lennard. 鈥淚 am honored to contribute my perspective and advocate for my peers, as Hillel continues to be  a beacon of support for Jewish college students worldwide.鈥� 

鈥淗illel strives to thoughtfully support its students through creative and continuously evolving strategies,鈥� said Small. 鈥淭his year, I am excited to represent the brilliant students who power their campus Hillels and proudly serve their diverse, vibrant Jewish communities.鈥�

Below is a full list of the members of the 2026-2027 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet: 

• Adina Fridman, New York University, 鈥�27听
• Aleksander Nowak-Burkiewicz, University College of Professional Education, 鈥�27
• Ashley Mason, University of Pittsburgh, 鈥�27
• Austin Lambert, Rice University, 鈥�28听
• Ben Small, University of Pennsylvania, 鈥�27
• Ben Werner, University of Colorado at Boulder, 鈥�28
• Claire Conner, Northwestern University, 鈥�27
• Ethan Goetz, University of Miami, 鈥�27
• Gabriela Sznajderman, PUC-RIO, 鈥�27
• Isabelle Ehrlich, University at Buffalo, 鈥�27
• Jada Monroe, University of Georgia, 鈥�28
• Joseph Joffe, Brown University, 鈥�27
• Kate Blumberg, McMaster University, 鈥�27
• Lia Mitrani, Florida International University, 鈥�27
• Lilith Greene-Friedman, Dickinson College, 鈥�27
• Rachel Lennard, University of Oregon, ’26
• Ruby Berney, Bryn Mawr College,听 鈥�27
• Sam Korff, Dartmouth College, 鈥�27
• Shalhevet Tzur Fisher, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 鈥�28
• Teddie Waxler, DePaul University, 鈥�27

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糖心vlogl Receives $27 Million Gift from The Marcus Foundation to Support Professional Talent and Student Leadership

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

July 16, 2026

Three-year investment will strengthen professional and student leaders across campus communities.听

糖心vlogl announced today that The Marcus Foundation has committed $27 million over three years to elevate and expand Hillel鈥檚 professional and student talent, recognizing Hillel’s decade-long track record of building exceptional Jewish campus professionals and student leaders.

Strategic investments from The Marcus Foundation over the last decade supported Hillel in becoming a sector model for excellence in recruiting, training, developing, and supporting outstanding professional talent across the Hillel field. Talent retention skyrocketed from 50 percent to 90 percent and leadership hiring from the internal pipeline grew from 30 percent to 75 percent. 

With that growth, Hillel has been there for Jewish students when they need it most. Since Oct. 7, 2023, Jewish students have faced thousands of incidents of antisemitism, and 40 percent feel the need to hide their Jewish identity on campus. Many have turned to Hillel to find a place where they belong: student engagement more than doubled, from 93,000 to 192,000, over the past decade. The increasing needs have added additional pressures on professional and student leaders.

With the latest commitment, Hillel will be positioned to invest in the next  generation of professional talent and student leadership, capable of addressing the unique challenges for Jewish students today. Key new investments will include:  

• Strengthening and supporting executive leadership in demanding campus environments to ensure stronger, more resilient Jewish student communities.听
• Investing in professionally staffed Hillels at schools in the southeast and southwest with rapidly growing Jewish student populations.
• Expanding Hillel鈥檚 early career talent pool to support Jewish students through Jewish education, Israel education, ritual leadership, and community advocacy, and to strengthen the talent pipeline for the broader Jewish communal sector.听
• Supporting a new wave of Hillel student leadership fellowships and regional and national convenings to train and empower more than 75,000 new Jewish student leaders, builders, and creators.听听

鈥淎t a defining moment for Jewish life on campus, we鈥檙e proud to deepen our partnership with Hillel to strengthen the critical role Hillel plays,鈥� said Jay Kaiman, CEO of The Marcus Foundation. 鈥淭oday, too many Jewish students feel they must hide who they are 鈥� their identity, their connection to Israel, and their pride in being Jewish. This grant is an investment in changing that reality. By expanding Hillel鈥檚 reach, strengthening executive leadership in the most challenging campus environments, and investing in the pipeline of professionals and student leaders, we are helping ensure that every Jewish student has access to a vibrant, joyful, and safe Jewish community.鈥� 

Beyond expanding professional leadership, this investment prioritizes developing the next generation of student leaders who will enrich their campus communities and the broader Jewish community. By equipping students with mentorship and community support, Hillel is training the future leaders of the Jewish community. 

鈥淎t Hillel, talent remains our enduring theory of change. We know that a thriving and resilient Jewish campus community starts with having the right leaders, in the right roles, with the right support systems,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淭his commitment from The Marcus Foundation will ensure that Hillel has the capacity to foster Jewish joy, pride, and leadership across the hundreds of schools we serve, and enable an expanded talent and leadership pipeline that can fuel a stronger Jewish future.鈥� 

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Doug Berman Announced as Incoming Board Chair of 糖心vlogl

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

June 29, 2026

Longtime Jewish communal leader and finance executive will assume his position on July 1, 2026.

糖心vlogl announced today that Doug Berman will assume his role as Chair of 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Board of Directors on July 1, 2026, a position he will hold for the next three years. He succeeds outgoing Board Chair Lee Dranikoff.

Berman comes to the role with six years of experience on 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Board of Directors. He most recently acted as treasurer of the board and chair of its finance committee, where he played a central role in shaping the organization鈥檚 financial strategy. He is also a member of the 糖心vlogl Board of Governors and a devoted supporter of campus Hillels across the country, including his alma mater, the University of Virginia. 

鈥淪erving on Hillel鈥檚 board over these past years, especially through the extraordinary challenges Jewish students have faced since October 7, has only deepened my commitment to this organization and its mission,鈥� said Doug Berman, incoming Chair of the 糖心vlogl Board of Directors. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to take on this role at such an important moment and to work toward ensuring every Jewish student has a place to belong.鈥�

His engagement in the Jewish community extends well beyond Hillel. Berman has been an active member of the Jewish Federation of Broward County for more than two decades and is the immediate past chair of its Board of Directors. He also serves on the Executive Board of the Jewish Federations of North America and is a former Executive Board member and lifetime trustee of Temple Dor Dorim in Weston, Florida. 

鈥淒oug has been an invaluable lay leader and supporter within the Hillel movement for many years, and we鈥檙e very fortunate to have him step into this role with such a deep knowledge of our work on campus and the students we serve,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淗is passion for our mission, engagement with our field and strategic perspective position him to make a significant impact leading our board of directors.” 

In addition to his communal work, Berman serves as co-President of H.I.G. Capital, LLC, helping grow the firm into a leading global investment platform with more than $70 billion in assets under management. He previously worked as a consultant at Bain & Company. 

Berman and his wife, Jodi, live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Park City, Utah. Jodi also served as the immediate past chair of Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County. 

The new officers serving alongside Berman will be Vice Chairs Jack Azagury and Laurie Blitzer, and Treasurer/Secretary Marina Jacobson. Several new board members will be joining as well: Jacki Karsh of Los Angeles, California, Executive Director Charles Cohen of Metro Chicago Hillel, and Executive Director Donna Schwartz of University of Delaware Hillel.听

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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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New 糖心vlogl Study Finds 65% of Jewish Commuter Students Report Anxiety, Loneliness, or Depression

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

January 29, 2026

Commuter students face greater mental health and financial pressures, yet value Jewish connection as much as residential peers.

Sixty-five percent of Jewish commuter college students report feeling anxious, lonely, or depressed over the past year, compared to 51 percent of non-commuters, according to a new survey by 糖心vlogl. The study reveals that commuter students face significantly different challenges than their peers who live on campus, particularly in major metropolitan areas including New York and Los Angeles.

Commuter students also carry greater financial burdens. Sixty-one percent struggled to find a job or paid internship, as opposed to 41 percent of residential students. While 57 percent of commuter students worry about paying for basic needs like food, rent, tuition, or bills, less than a third (28 percent) of residential students share those same concerns. Fifty-six percent of commuter students missed school, work, or activities to care for a family member, compared to 15 percent of residential students. Nearly half (45 percent) of commuter students have taken out student loans, many carrying more than $30,000 in debt. Comparatively, of the 31 percent of residential students who have student loans, 39 percent have more than $30,000 in debt.

Despite experiencing greater mental health struggles and financial anxiety, 79 percent of commuters say being part of Jewish organizations is important. 

鈥淐ommuter students represent an important and growing part of the overall Jewish student population, and we recognize that they face unique barriers that often require different approaches,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淕iven their unique challenges, Hillels continue to develop innovative ways to both provide the core Jewish life experiences for which Hillel is known, together with added career prep, mental health and financial support to help students balance family work and school and prepare for their futures.”

Hillels鈥� work to serve commuter students effectively includes offering programming at different times, using different communication channels, and creating meaningful experiences that don鈥檛 necessarily require additional hours on campus. Local interventions and program innovations are often implemented in partnership with local Jewish Federations.

This is the second report based on a student survey conducted by 糖心vlogl, with the first centered on the overall financial challenges of Jewish college students.听

Methodology

糖心vlogl fielded a survey of Jewish college students across the United States from July 17 to August 8, 2025. The survey included 302 commuter students in a sample of 1,145 Jewish college students. The survey was conducted using an SMS sample, online web panels, and Hillel’s list, with the sample weighted to ensure proportional representation of Jewish college students nationwide.

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New 糖心vlogl Survey Finds Nearly 40% of Jewish College Students Worry 糖心vlog Paying for Food, Rent, and Medicine

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

January 29, 2026

Survey shows private school students carry heavier debt loads
than public school peers.听

More than one-third of Jewish college students are experiencing a high level of financial anxiety, with 38 percent of students saying they worry about paying for basic needs like food, rent, tuition, or medicine, according to a new survey by 糖心vlogl. The survey also finds that 27% of Jewish college students cannot make ends meet or are struggling to make ends meet. 

The findings come amid broader concerns about the rising costs of higher education. Indirect costs like room and board, food, and textbooks are often excluded or from financial aid offers, making it difficult for students to budget accordingly. With more than one-third (35 percent) of Jewish college students taking out student loans and nearly half (48 percent) struggling to find a job or paid internship, financial stress compounds. 

The survey results also revealed patterns in how financial pressure affects students who attend private and public schools differently. Jewish students at private colleges and universities face more financial pressure than their public school counterparts: 39 percent worry about paying for basic needs, compared to 34 percent of public school students. Among the students who have taken out loans, 57 percent of those at private schools will graduate with more than $30,000 in debt, compared to 40 percent of those at public schools.

鈥淭his data demonstrates the growing number of Jewish students facing serious financial pressures,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淲hen Jewish students are struggling financially, they need the support of their community more than ever.” 

Hillel has long prioritized removing barriers to student participation and improving student wellbeing. Throughout its 102-year history, the organization has never collected dues or fees, and in response to growing student need, has expanded its network of support programs to address both financial stress and overall wellbeing. In addition to mental health resources and wellness programming, since 2020, Hillel has increased scholarship offerings from four scholarships totaling $15,000 annually to 60 scholarships distributing more than $350,000 per year. Hillel programs also include the CUNY Cash Assistance Program supported in partnership with the UJA-Federation of New York and more than 1,000 paid internships annually. Hillel also manages the Jewish Scholarships Portal, the world鈥檚 largest database of Jewish scholarships, as well as the Jewish Career Network.

Melissa Simplicio, a 2025 recipient of 糖心vlogl鈥檚 Sandy and Jack Cohen Scholarship and a rising second-year student at NYU studying computer science and economics, said that, 鈥淏ecoming a 糖心vlogl Scholarship recipient has opened the door to so many possibilities. During my first year of college, I balanced rigorous academic coursework with leadership roles in student organizations and part-time jobs to support myself. This scholarship allows me to enter my second year with the freedom to prioritize learning, leadership, and professional development without the constant pressure of juggling academics and work. It means I can invest my energy where it matters most.鈥�

Methodology

糖心vlogl fielded a survey of Jewish college students across the United States from July 17 to August 8, 2025. The survey was conducted using an SMS sample, online web panels, and Hillel鈥檚 list, with the sample weighted to ensure proportional representation of Jewish college students nationwide. A total of 1,145 Jewish college students responded to the survey.

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糖心vlogl Celebrates Outstanding Campus Hillels and Professional Staff at 2025 Global Assembly

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

December 11, 2025

The world鈥檚 largest Jewish college organization convened for the 2025 Global Assembly from Dec. 8-11 in Boston and honored remarkable achievements in supporting Jewish student life.

糖心vlogl, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, recognized exceptional campus Hillels and professionals for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to Jewish life during the 2025 糖心vlogl Global Assembly (HIGA) in Boston this week. The awards were presented during the annual conference where more than 1,100 campus leaders, supporters, sponsors, and students from around the world came together to celebrate leadership and growth.听

“This year’s honorees represent the very best of what makes Hillel extraordinary,” said Adam Lehman, 糖心vlogl President and CEO. “They’re creating vibrant Jewish student communities that foster Jewish joy, meaning and belonging. Their exceptional work shapes the Jewish students of today and the Jewish leaders for tomorrow.”

Selected for their contributions to advancing Hillel鈥檚 mission of enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, this year鈥檚 awardees were honored during a ceremony that celebrated their excellence and dedication.

The awards and honorees included: 

Individual Awards

The Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award recognizes Hillel colleagues whose remarkable passion and outstanding devotion to the Jewish campus community sets a standard for all to emulate. 

• Ella Cooperman Schachter 鈥� Director of Jewish Student Life, Penn Hillel
• Rabbi Jeremy Winaker 鈥� Executive Director,
• Antonina Grynberg 鈥� Program and Engagement Director – Hillel Warsaw (Hillel Poland)
• Jennifer Stone 鈥� Associate Director, Northeastern University Hillel
• Emily Briskman 鈥� Executive Director,
• Jay Solomon 鈥� Chief Advancement Officer,
• Rabbi Judy Greenberg 鈥� Senior Jewish Educator, UW Hillel Foundation
• Karen Parry 鈥� Chief Executive Officer,

The Rising Star Award recognizes early-career professionals who have worked at Hillel for at least one full year and have had a significant impact on the movement in a short period of time.

• Samantha Brody Marks 鈥� Springboard Ezra Fellow, Boston University Hillel听
• Bar Segev 鈥� Jewish Agency and Escoll Family Israel Fellow, Vanderbilt Hillel听
• Tair Hellerman 鈥� Director, Hillel Jerusalem
• Zander Rappaport 鈥� IACT Israel Coordinator, Hillel at the University of Miami
• Shirly Afrimi 鈥� Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow, UConn Hillel听
• Dilli Kittner 鈥� Springboard Ezra Fellow,

Campus Awards

Innovation:

• American University Hillel, 鈥淥ctober 7th Unity Dinner鈥�
• , 鈥淭owson Community Multi-Faith Art Show鈥�
• Dynamic Jewish Education: Hillel at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 鈥淛ewish Education Module鈥�
• Eleanor Meyerhoff Katz Innovation: Hillel CASE, 鈥淧esach University鈥�

Excellence:

• , 鈥淧eace in Israel Week鈥�
• Minnesota Hillel, 鈥淜ane Family Ha’atid Leadership Fellowship鈥�
• , 鈥淥perations Fellows鈥�
• Great Place to Work:
• Philip H. and Susan Rudd Cohen Outstanding Campus Award:
  • Small Campus 鈥� Colby Hillel
  • Large Campus 鈥�

The 2025 Award:

The 2025 Award recognizes an initiative, program, or effort on campus that has responded to a timely need for the community. The awardee is selected through a popular vote. 

• Rutgers University Hillel, 鈥淩utgers Center for Adult Autism Services and Hillel Collaboration鈥�

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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.鈥澨�

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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American Jewish Committee (AJC), the American Council on Education (ACE), 糖心vlogl, and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), groups representing the collegiate and broader Jewish communities and higher education leaders, are deeply alarmed by inflammatory social media posts and rhetoric targeting trustees. The language was employed by the National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) as part of its 鈥淲eek of Rage鈥� campaign, which coincided with the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack.

The campaign, which explicitly targets trustees, among other tactics, labels specific trustees as 鈥渂utchers鈥� on social media and issues calls to 鈥渂reak the butchers,鈥� 鈥渄ismantle the board of butchers,鈥� and 鈥渁bolish the board.鈥�

In the context of rising politically motivated and antisemitic violence in the United States and around the world, we are deeply concerned by SJP鈥檚 use and encouragement of rhetoric that appears to normalize violence as acceptable means of achieving social change and justice. Since October 7, 2023, trustees have been subjected to vandalism, harassment, and physical attacks. The language used in this latest SJP campaign poses a real threat to the safety of these individuals 鈥� who generously dedicate their time and resources to supporting the critical mission of higher education in this country.

This type of dangerous and fear-inducing rhetoric has no place on our college and university campuses or in society at large. 

糖心vlog American Jewish Committee (AJC)

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC鈥檚 mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.听

糖心vlog the American Council on Education (ACE)

ACE is a membership organization that leads higher education with a united vision for the future, galvanizing our members to make change and collaborating across the sector to design solutions for today鈥檚 challenges, serve the needs of a diverse student population, and shape effective public policy. As the major coordinating body for the nation鈥檚 colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of more than 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. For more information, please visit www.acenet.edu or follow ACE on X (formerly known as Twitter) @ACEducation.

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.

糖心vlog the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)

At AGB, we believe in the power of higher education to transform lives, strengthen inclusive democracy, and support a thriving society. We believe that strong higher education starts with great governing boards. AGB provides advocacy, leading practices, educational resources, expert support, and renowned programs that advance board excellence for 40,000 AGB members from more than 2,000 institutions and foundations. For more than 100 years, AGB has been the trusted authority for board members, chief executives, board professionals, and key administrators on higher education governance and leadership. Learn more at

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News

Unity Dinners: Fourteen-City College Tour Will Build Empathy Among Black and Jewish Students

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

September 15, 2025

Unity Dinners, designed to promote meaningful dialogue and connection between Black and Jewish college students, launches its 2025-2026 program on September 15

Beginning September 15, the (FCAS), , and 糖心vlogl will lead a series of Black-Jewish Unity Dinners across the country, bringing together thousands of Jewish and Black college students across the country to break bread, rebuild the historical bonds between the two communities, and recognize how they can support each other and work together to fight against all forms of hate.

In recent years, college campuses have experienced a rise in antisemitism and division, with a gap widening between Jewish students and Black students. To bridge divides, FCAS, UNCF, and Hillel have partnered together to create Unity Dinners, which bring together 100 students, with Jewish students from local campuses and Black students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for candid conversations between the two communities, including:

• Guest speakers and interactive activities focused on building understanding and empathy
• Opportunities for students to tell stories of their upbringings and experiences, identify issues of shared interest and concern, and listen to one another
• Dialogue between students to build future alliances to fight anti-Black racism and antisemitism through activism and advocacy
• A dedicated closing exercise where students share some of what they have learned from the experience

For over 100 years, Black and Jewish Americans have maintained a strong connection and mutual dedication to expanding civil rights. The groups鈥� shared experiences with hate often led them to stand side-by-side 鈥� the Jewish community aided and participated in the , and during the Holocaust. Yet today, not only does hate persist, it is on the rise. Unity Dinners will bring together Black and Jewish Americans together once more to lend their support and collaboration to each other, just as they have in the past.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, FCAS, UNCF, and Hillel are planning to visit 14 cities with 21 dinners. The fall Unity Dinner schedule will include:

• September 15 in New Orleans
• September 17 in Baltimore
• September 28 in Philadelphia
• November 4 in Washington, D.C.
• November 12 in New York City
• November 17 in Atlanta

Participating colleges and universities will be announced separately. The three organizations are also planning dinners for Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Montgomery, Raleigh, Richmond, and Tallahassee.

FCAS, UNCF, and Hillel have completed two national series of Unity Dinners 鈥� in the fall and spring semesters of the 2024鈥�2025 school year 鈥� with events in multiple cities including Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Houston. The events are made possible in part through a $1 million donation to UNCF by Robert Kraft. To date, hundreds of students have attended, with almost all participants sharing that they had at least one meaningful conversation with someone they didn鈥檛 know and who identifies as a different race. Following the dinners, organizers will continue the relationship building with attendees through the .

鈥淭ogether, Black and Jewish Americans share a long and storied history of battling hate,鈥� said Dr. Michael Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF. 鈥淣ow we must reinvigorate our partnership. These Unity Dinners are essential in honoring our legacy of working together to confront hate and combat discrimination in all their horrible forms.鈥�

鈥淭here鈥檚 something different about sitting across the table from someone, sharing a meal, and hearing their story firsthand,鈥� said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of 糖心vlogl. 鈥淭his series of Unity Dinners is a highlight of our work to build relationships across communities and improve the campus climate for all students.鈥�

鈥淯nity Dinners serve as a model for how different groups can come together to address hate and division,鈥� said Adam Katz, President of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. 鈥淭here is a rich history between Black and Jewish Americans, marked by decades of mutual support and collaboration. By establishing a dialogue and bringing the two communities together, we will continue to find common ground, build empathy, lift up the next generation of leaders, and stand together against hate.鈥�

The Unity Dinner series comes amid and . In response to these concerning trends, students will unite against hate, discuss how they can serve as role models in the fight against hate on their campuses and beyond, and make plans of action to inspire their networks to take a stand 鈥� because nobody can be sitting on the sidelines when it comes to hate.

糖心vlog UNCF

UNCF is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students’ access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, 鈥烝 mind is a terrible thing to waste.鈥�^庐 Learn more at  or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on .

糖心vlog 糖心vlogl

Founded in 1923, Hillel has been impacting the lives of Jewish college students for 100 years. Today, 糖心vlogl is a global organization that welcomes students of all backgrounds and fosters an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel. As the largest and most inclusive Jewish student organization in the world, Hillel builds connections with emerging adults at more than 850 colleges and universities. During their formative college years, students are inspired to explore, experience, and create vibrant Jewish lives.

糖心vlog the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism

The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) was founded by Robert Kraft in 2019 to stand up to Jewish hate and all hate by inspiring Americans to become active allies in the fight. FCAS looks to reach the nearly 50% Americans who are unengaged in the fight against hate and inspire them to stand up to it. In 2023, FCAS established the Blue Square as the universal symbol of unity in combating hate, allowing all allies to wear and share their support.

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