Anti-Israel demonstrators gathered outside Columbia University to protest a talk by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The protesters chanted anti-Israel slogans and condemned Bennett’s visit, with some attempting to disrupt the event inside. Despite the protests, Bennett’s speech proceeded as scheduled, with heightened security in place.

The U.S. Task Force to Combat Antisemitism is reviewing $5 billion in grant funding to Columbia University due to high levels of antisemitism on campus. The task force, which includes representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the General Services Administration, is investigating Columbia’s response to antisemitic incidents. While the university has expressed a commitment to addressing these issues, the potential funding cuts highlight ongoing concerns about the safety and security of Jewish students.

Cornell Hillel is working towards a new building to enhance Jewish life and community on campus. The new facility, which will be the first-ever stand-alone Hillel at the Ivy League school, will provide dedicated space for religious services, cultural events, and student engagement, further supporting the needs of the university’s growing Jewish student community.

Former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt explains why she recently chose not to teach at Columbia University, citing its lack of response to antisemitism following October 7. In this op-ed, she criticizes the university for failing to protect Jewish students and denounces the hostile campus environment that has developed in its aftermath.

Barnard College expelled multiple students who participated in an anti-Israel protest in January that disrupted a History of Modern Israel class at Columbia University. Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia/Barnard Hillel, applauded Barnard for “taking decisive action.” The incident led the college to reaffirm its commitment to maintaining academic order and student safety.

More than 100 people attended a speech at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) given by an Israeli survivor of the October 7 Hamas attack, who shared first hand testimony of the massacre. Hosted by San Luis Obispo Hillel (Hillel SLO) and Mustangs for Israel, the event aimed to raise awareness and counter misinformation about Israel and the October 7 attacks. Hillel SLO and Mustangs for Israel also created a powerful display featuring a teddy bear surrounded by red paint to symbolize the children killed in the attack, along with posters telling the stories of the victims.