Duke University Establishes Permanent Campus Rabbi Role with $2.5 Million Endowment
Hillel of San Diego Creates Security Fund After Break-In at Jewish Fraternity House
Hillel International Awards More Than $350,000 to Largest-Ever Scholarship Cohort
Targeted gifts to Hillel International will award more than $350,000 in scholarships to 65 Jewish college students this fall, marking the largest cohort in the program’s history. The scholarships recognize academic achievement, community service, Jewish connection, first-generation college enrollment, and financial need, with most awards ranging from $3,000 to $18,000 per year and renewable through graduation. “All Jewish students deserve the opportunity to pursue their ambitions,” said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, adding that he is confident the recipients “will accomplish great things” with the support of these scholarships.
New Hillel at Clemson to Support Growing Jewish Student Community
Tanger Hillel Prepares to Welcome Jewish Students This Fall
UC San Diego AEPi House Vandalized With Antisemitic Graffiti
Haverford College Settles Lawsuit Over Claims of Antisemitic Discrimination
Haverford College reached a settlement with a Jewish group regarding claims of discrimination in the aftermath of October 7th. Under the agreement, the college will implement mandatory antisemitism awareness training, establish an oversight committee, and grant the school’s civil rights director jurisdiction over antisemitism-related bias complaints. The college also reaffirmed its policy prohibiting discrimination against students based on their Jewish, Zionist, or Israeli identity.
Federal Government Investigates Claims of Antisemitic Harassment at San Jose and San Francisco State Universities
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened investigations into San Francisco State University and San Jose State University over allegations that the universities failed to address antisemitic harassment on their campuses. Both universities maintain their commitment to campus safety and deny the allegations.
Report Finds Canadian Jewish College Students Experienced Widespread Antisemitism
A new report commissioned by the Canadian government found that 95% of Jewish university students surveyed in Canada experienced or witnessed antisemitism on campus over the past year. The report also found that many students changed how openly they expressed their Jewish identity because of their campus experiences.
OSU Hillel Leaders Visit Israel With an Eye Towards Strengthening Campus Programming
Staff members from The Ohio State University Hillel, led by CEO Naomi Lamb, recently completed a weeklong educational program at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. During the program, participants engaged in intensive study of contemporary Israeli society and explored new approaches to strengthening Jewish life and educational initiatives on campus. Reflecting on the experience, Lamb emphasized that “Israel education really isn’t one size fits all.”
Over 95% of Canadian Jewish University Students Report Experiencing Antisemitism
A new Canadian Heritage report surveyed about 900 Jewish university students across Canada and found that 95.7% had experienced or witnessed antisemitism. The report found that 70% said their universities did not take antisemitism seriously, while one in four students reported experiencing or witnessing physical violence against Jews. Students also reported Holocaust denial or distortion, discriminatory treatment, intimidation, and antisemitic or biased classroom content. In a post on Instagram, Hillel Ontario responded saying “…antisemitism on Canadian campuses is not episodic or peripheral—it is persistent and proliferating, and on some campuses has become a normalized and systemic feature of campus life.”
Man Accused of Burning Mezuzah at Berkeley Hillel Convicted of Hate Crime
A California jury found David William Denton guilty of arson and vandalism for setting a mezuzah at the entrance of the Berkeley Hillel on fire earlier this year. A judge subsequently recategorized the conviction as a hate crime. “Targeting and burning a sacred religious symbol is an act that can cause harm far beyond the physical damage itself… People of every faith should be able to practice their religion and gather in their communities without fear of intimidation,” said Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson.