Jewish parents, educators, and nonprofit organizations express concern over the potential for increased antisemitism on college campuses as students return to school. The concerns stem from a rise in antisemitic incidents following protests over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
As students across the United States prepare to return to college, Jewish parents, educators, and nonprofit organizations are voicing concerns about the potential for increased antisemitism on campuses. This heightened worry follows a surge in antisemitic incidents during the past academic year, particularly in the aftermath of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
According to a survey by Hillel and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 73% of Jewish college students and 44% of non-Jewish students experienced or witnessed antisemitism on their campuses in fall 2023. These incidents included harassment, bullying, and physical assaults.
Jewish Students Fear Antisemitism as New School Year Looms
"The unprecedented surge in antisemitism on college campuses last year was utterly unacceptable, and yet far too many administrations failed to respond effectively," Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director, said in a statement. "We insist that all college and university leaders take significant steps to make Jewish students safer."
Jewish organizations have released a comprehensive set of recommendations to combat antisemitism on campus in the fall semester. These guidelines include communicating campus rules and policies, supporting Jewish students, ensuring campus safety, reaffirming faculty responsibilities, and preparing to mitigate disruptions on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack against Israel.
Jewish Students Fear Antisemitism as New School Year Looms
Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a Jewish activist and Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, emphasized the importance of universities taking a firm stance against antisemitism. "With my child heading to college soon, I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of Jewish students on campus," she said. "University administrators have a moral imperative to enforce their policies and crack down on radical, far-left mobs this academic year."
Liora Rez, the executive director of StopAntisemitism, stressed that harassment, bullying, and physical assaults should not be tolerated. "What we’ve seen is that when there’s real leadership, the antisemitic and anti-Zionist persecution doesn’t take hold," she said. "But when the ‘adults in the room’ acquiesce to the mob, everyone suffers — not just Jewish students."
Jewish Students Fear Antisemitism as New School Year Looms
Rez urged parents to teach their children to be proud of their heritage and that giving in to bullies only invites further abuse. "Jews and supporters of Israel have nothing to be ashamed of," she said. "To the contrary, the Jewish people and the modern state of Israel have contributed so much good to the world."
Ariella Noveck, the co-founder of Shield Communications PR, noted that Jewish students are often unsure about how to respond to antisemitism. "They don’t know when they should say something or if it will affect their grades," she said. "It’s a very confusing time for them."
Jewish Students Fear Antisemitism as New School Year Looms
Noveck encouraged students to use their voices in a way that is not loud or detrimental to them at the moment. She urged parents to have heart-to-heart conversations with their children and admit that while they may not have all the answers, being targeted for being oneself is unacceptable.
"Of course, there’s no perfect solution to every case, but staying silent is definitely not one of them," she said.
Nonprofit organizations such as the ADL, American Jewish Committee, and StopAntisemitism offer resources and support to Jewish students facing antisemitism on campus. Students can also reach out to campus resources such as counseling centers and Hillel chapters.
