Latest News from Campus

Since October 7th, Syracuse University has prioritized bridge-building and supporting interfaith dialogue. Guided by a friendship between the Hillel campus Rabbi and campus Imam, a Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship began to provide students with a way to share culture and religion. The personal connections and empathy created a safe space for understanding differing opinions and dialogue rather than heated debate. While not immune to escalated conflict, this fellowship gave students a different way to approach challenging subjects.

The City University of New York (CUNY) Hillel Hubs program is an innovative effort to redefine CUNY campus Hillels as social service hubs for students. Launched in 2022 as a partnership between Hillel and UJA-New York, the program provides funding for Hillels to hire on-site social workers and centralize crucial resources including kosher food pantries, mental health services, academic and career counseling, and cash assistance.

Northwestern University blocked nearly 300 students from registering for fall classes after they refused to complete a mandatory antisemitism training module. The students criticized the training, labeling it as “offensive,” “unscholarly,” and containing “inaccurate historical information” that allegedly favored Israel. The university emphasized that while students are not required to agree with the content of the modules, which also includes a session focused on anti-Arab hate, they must “attest that they will abide by the Student Code of Conduct.”

The U.S. government launched a federal investigation into allegations of antisemitism across all 22 campuses of the California State University (CSU) System. CSU released a statement confirming the investigation and pledging its full cooperation with the federal government. The university system also condemned antisemitism, emphasizing its commitment to “fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive” environment for all students and faculty.

A swastika was found outside of a Jewish student’s dorm room at Dartmouth College — marking the second such incident at the school in less than two weeks. In this case, the symbol was printed on a laminated sign hanging outside the student’s room. Dartmouth College President Sian Leah Beilock condemned the act, saying the college is fully supporting a local police investigation. “These acts of harassment and intimidation are in direct opposition to our policies and values,” she said.

The Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at the University of Maryland will put up a student government resolution calling for the university to boycott Israel, moving the vote from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, when many Jewish students will be unable to attend. The resolution urges the university to cut all ties with groups that support Israel, including academic partnerships and the boycott of goods and services. A university spokeswoman stressed that the vote will have no bearing on official university policy or practice.