Jewish Leaders Applaud Appointment of New University of Michigan President
Hillel JUC Students Return from Israel with Deeper Sense of Jewish Identity
Cooper Union Reaches Settlement With Jewish Students Over 2023 Incident
Arson Heavily Damages Mississippi Synagogue, Suspect Arrested
The FBI charged 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman with arson for setting fire to Beth Israel Congregation, Mississippi’s largest and most historic synagogue, early Saturday. The blaze severely damaged the building’s library, offices, and sacred texts. Authorities say Pittman admitted to targeting the synagogue because of its “Jewish ties” and called it the “synagogue of Satan.”
A Closer Look at Today’s American Jewish College Students
UCSB Jewish Fraternity Targeted by Antisemitic Vandalism
Springboard Fellow Yael Klucznik Brings Back “A Taste of Judaism” for a Second Year
UC Davis Professor Remains Employed After Social Media Posts Target Jewish Journalists
Northwestern, Graduate Student Group, and Two Students File Voluntarily Dismissal of Bias Lawsuit
OSU Hillel Collaborates to Launch New Initiative Bringing Columbus Jewish Young Adults Together
Gunman in Bondi Beach Terror Attack Charged With 59 Offenses
Australian police charged the surviving perpetrator in the Hanukkah terror attack at Bondi Beach with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. If convicted, Naveed Akram faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The attack on December 14 left at least 15 people dead and dozens more injured.
Fresno State University Investigates Acts of Antisemitic Vandalism
Fresno State University officials say they are investigating multiple incidents of vandalism on campus, reporting that property was defaced with antisemitic messages that have since been removed. The university’s president notified the campus community about the investigation and condemned the acts saying, “Antisemitism, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination run counter to our values and to the environment we are committed to upholding.”
Hillel’s CALL Brings Light to Jewish Students Even in Dark Times
Hillel International’s Assistant General Counsel, Ariel Katz, writes about her experience empowering Jewish students who have faced harassment or discrimination. Through CALL, the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line, a resource created in partnership with Hillel International, ADL, and the Brandeis Center, Jewish students and faculty can report incidents and access free, confidential, and expert legal support. Over the last two years, Ariel and the CALL team have assisted with over 600 incidents, helping students pursue justice and accountability. In this time of heightened antisemitism, CALL is making sure students know they don’t have to face these challenges alone.
San Francisco Hillel Arson Attack Suspect Arrested
San Francisco police arrested a suspect in connection with the December 5th arson attack that caused “significant damage” to the San Francisco Hillel building. While no injuries were reported, the fire caused the closure of the facility and the cancellation of events. Hillel staff thanked the San Francisco State University administration for their ongoing support. This is a developing story.
Brown University Students Celebrate Hanukkah In the Aftermath of Campus Shooting
Brown University Jewish students gathered for Hanukkah on the heels of two tragedies: a shooting on campus that killed two students and injured several others, and the terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. The candle lighting at Brown doubled as a vigil for those who had been murdered only hours earlier. “The message of Hanukkah here is that we should increase the light,” said Rabbi Josh Bolton, Brown RISD Hillel’s executive director. “Even in the midst of this very dark and difficult moment, together as a community, we come together, and we give each other a little bit of light.”
San Jose High Schoolers Create Human Swastika, Quote Hitler on Social Media
Eight San Jose, California high schoolers were recently suspended after a photo of them creating a “human swastika” spread online. The social media post, which also included a quote from Hitler threatening the “annihilation of the Jewish race,” caused widespread concern in the community and led to a student walkout at the high school in support of Jewish students. The superintendent for the Campbell Union High School District described the incident as “hate violence,” saying, “We are committed to using this incident as an opportunity to deepen education around antisemitism.”