UF Hillel Commemorates Three Years Since October 7th
University of Rochester Hillel Breaks Ground on New Jewish Student Center
Hillels Across North America Mark Three Years Since October 7th
Thousands of Jewish students at Hillels across North America marked three years since the October 7th attacks with vigils, exhibitions, art projects, speakers, and opportunities for reflection. At Hillel of Buffalo, students participated in a remembrance gathering and heard from Nova Festival survivor Atir Vinnikov, while University at Albany Hillel created a “Wings of Hope” art installation honoring those killed at Kfar Aza. Other Hillels, including University of Chicago, Penn State, and SLO Hillel, hosted campus-wide programs that shared the stories of those affected by October 7th and created space for students to find support and comfort.
Students Find New Perspectives on Israel Through Birthright
Hillel Rio Brings Hundreds Together for Sukkot
Op-Ed: Cultivating Lifelong Learning Through Israel Education
National Education Association Board Rejects Proposal to Sever Ties with ADL
The board of directors for the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers union in the U.S., rejected a proposal to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Made by delegates earlier this month, the proposal would have banned using, endorsing, or publicizing material from the ADL, including Holocaust education materials. More than 300 Jewish communal organizations, including JFNA, AJC, and Hillel International, had signed an open letter to the NEA board in support of the ADL.
Two Israelis Arrested in Belgium for “War Crimes” While Attending Music Festival
Two Israeli citizens, one soldier and one civilian, were arrested and briefly detained in Belgium after traveling to attend the annual Tomorrowland music festival after a complaint by the Hind Rajab Foundation. The foundation was launched in September to advocate for the arrest of Israeli soldiers when they travel abroad for “alleged war crimes.” The two Israelis have since been released, but one claims that he was beaten by the police while being held.
Jewish Student Files Lawsuit Against Harvard for Failing to Protect Jewish Students After October 7
Yoav Segev, a Jewish Harvard student, filed a lawsuit against the school for failing to protect him after he was attacked on campus during an anti-Israel “die-in”, and later rewarding the assailants with honors. Segev had previously tried to join lawsuits against Harvard anonymously, but his information ended up being leaked, including by the student paper, the Harvard Crimson.
University of Kentucky Professor Suspended After Calling “to make war on Israel”
University of Kentucky suspended Ramsi Woodcock, a professor at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law, for creating and sharing a petition that calls for “every country in the world to make war on Israel immediately,” while advocating for the country to “submit permanently and unconditionally to the government of Palestine.” The president of the university condemned the petition and said that it does not reflect the views of the University of Kentucky.
Hillel International Campus Antisemitism Report: Total Incidents Rise, but Assaults and Vandalism Decline
Hillel International’s just-released 2024-2025 antisemitic incident report saw an increase in the overall number of antisemitic incidents, but a sharp decline in antisemitic vandalism, assaults, and encampments on campus. While physical antisemitic incidents declined, Jewish students faced an increase in online bullying and harassment as hateful incidents multiplied on digital and social media.
Columbia University Takes Steps to Combat Antisemitism on Campus and Regain Federal Funding
In an effort to regain the $400 million in federal funding that it lost earlier this year, Columbia University announced that it will: require its Office of Institutional Equity to use the IHRA definition of antisemitism, appoint a Title VI coordinator, mandate antisemitism training for students, staff, and faculty, and refuse to recognize or meet with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest coalition, which is banned by Instagram due to promotion of violent material. Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia Barnard Hillel, said these steps are welcome as their implementation shows an acknowledgement of the antisemitism spike on campus.