Back to School-and Confronting Campus Antisemitism

"This fall's back-to-school season comes amid seismic shifts on college campuses. Just weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Justice concluded that UCLA violated federal civil rights law by failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students from a hostile environment-one of several universities now facing federal scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League released a sobering new report showing that only nine U.S. states have strong policies to combat antisemitism, underscoring how many students endure unsafe campus climates largely out of public view."

"Will my voice be heard, or silenced? Nearly two years after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and the campus unrest that followed, many still feel a persistent unease. Some are deciding whether to remove visible Jewish garments such as a Star of David necklace or avoid certain spaces, while others carry that same discomfort even when their identity isn't outwardly visible."

"This is not a small, isolated problem. According to a 2024 Brandeis University study from the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, three in five Jewish students experienced at least one antisemitic incident in the past academic year, and 40% avoided expressing their views on Israel for fear of backlash. An American Jewish Committee survey found that one-third feel unsafe on campus, and over 30% have avoided wearing or displaying anything that might identify them as Jewish."

Antisemitism on college campuses has produced institutional failures, legal findings, and uneven policy protections. The U.S. Department of Justice concluded that UCLA violated federal civil rights law by failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students, and several universities face federal scrutiny. Only nine states have strong policies to combat antisemitism, leaving many campus climates unsafe. Many Jewish students question whether their identity, safety, and voices will be respected. Three in five students experienced an antisemitic incident, 40% avoided expressing views on Israel, one-third feel unsafe, and over 30% avoided displaying Jewish identity. Training and support can reduce harm and promote inclusion.

Read at Psychology Today