It’s been a very difficult weekend, and our hearts are with the families of all the slain hostages.

Pittsburgh. Two Jewish students were attacked on the University of Pittsburgh campus on Friday night. The students, both wearing kippot, were reportedly struck from behind by a man wielding a glass bottle, hitting one student in the neck and the other in the cheek. The students were treated at the scene and police quickly detained a 52-year-old suspect who is reportedly unaffiliated with the University. A University statement reiterated that “To be clear: Neither acts of violence nor antisemitism will be tolerated.”

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Temple. Reflecting an alarming trend of anti-Israel protesters targeting Hillels on campus, protesters marched across the Temple University campus in North Philly on Thursday culminating at the University’s Hillel center where dozens of protesters waved signs and flags of terrorist groups and used megaphones to “chant directly at the occupants within the building.” According to local reports, University police guarded the building entrance and the protest eventually dispersed without any physical altercations or arrests. University President Richard Englert responded to the protest, saying “Targeting a group of individuals because of their Jewish identity is not acceptable and intimidation and harassment tactics like those seen today will not be tolerated.”

DEEPER. Read the statement from ADL’s Philadelphia office.

(Credit: The Temple News | Twitter/X).

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Maryland. Following significant pushback from UMD Hillel and the greater Jewish community, including ADL expressing concerns, the University of Maryland reversed its decision to allow an anti-Israel protest on the first anniversary of the 10/7 massacre. This decision was made for the entire University System of Maryland schools. The UMD Students for Justice in Palestine and UMD Jewish Voice for Peace were originally permitted to host an event at UMD’s McKeldin Mall, but the University recently announced new restrictions on permits and events for that day, saying “Reserving October 7 gives us a chance to continue these urgent conversations and to mark this solemn anniversary in a way that gives students – all students – the time and space to share and to be heard.” We are proud to see the UMD Jewish Student Union and UMD Hillel students speak out and celebrate that Jewish life is thriving on UMD’s campus.

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San Francisco State. Administrators at San Francisco State University announced in August that the University would divest from certain weapons manufacturers, citing a “work group comprised of representatives of Students for Gaza, the [university] Foundation’s Investment Committee, faculty advisors and administrators.” Local reporting indicates the University will sell its corporate bond position in companies like Lockheed Martin, Leonardo and Palantir Technologies. The proposed policy change is scheduled for a final vote in December.

DEEPER. Read ADL’s new analysis, “The Economic Risks of Divestment from Israel for University Endowments.”

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Harvard. In one of his first messages since his appointment as Harvard University’s 31st president, Alan Garber warned that students should be “prepared to be held accountable” if they violate University policies, which now include restrictions on indoor protests and bans on outdoor camping, chalking and unapproved signage. One day later, Harvard Executive Vice President Meredith Weenick outlined for affiliates that “Where there is substantial disruption of the normal operations of our campus, University police may remove or remediate the disruption.”

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Columbia. Drawing on interviews from hundreds of Jewish students and faculty, a new report from Columbia University’s Task Force on Antisemitism identified “serious and pervasive” problems. The report is long, as it details harrowing incident after incident: “Students have reported having necklaces ripped off their necks and being pinned against walls, while walking back to their dorms on Friday afternoon and when they were on their way to synagogue.” The report offers several recommendations, including anti-bias and inclusion training for students and faculty, in-person workshops about antisemitism and Islamophobia, and the formation of a Cross-School Committee to share information and establish baseline standards across schools at Columbia. It is incumbent on the new leadership of Columbia to take its own report seriously and make sure we do not see a repeat of last semester.

Interfaith Ally. Avery Chenault works for an organization that brings Christian youth to Israel and mobilizes them to support Jewish causes on US campuses, and she has a message for Christian students: “Christians have not always expressed solidarity with the Jewish people...Now is the time to change that narrative.” In a recent essay, Chenault writes, “the need for non-Jewish allies to stand with our Jewish friends and neighbors has never been more relevant.” She concludes by saying “Antisemitism shouldn’t be a problem the Jewish people fight alone...It’s a fight that belongs to everyone who values humanity and desires peace.” We couldn’t agree more.

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Engineering a Stand. Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth has condemned the distribution of antisemitic flyers at an MIT orientation event last week. The unofficial flyers included links for the controversial Mapping Project, an interactive map that pinpoints Jewish organizations in Massachusetts -- a project ADL has identified as a blatant attempt to name, shame, and blame Jewish organizations and one that puts their safety at risk. Kornbluth quickly responded to this incident, saying “While I have repeatedly defended freedom of expression...I believe the Mapping Project promotes antisemitism. Like every other form of racial and religious prejudice and hate, antisemitism is totally unacceptable in our community. It cannot be justified, and it is antithetical to MIT’s values."

DEEPER. Read ADL’s resource on the Boston Mapping Project.

TAKE ACTION: Thank MIT President Kornbluh for taking a tough stand against the Mapping Project.

Heartbroken for Hersh. Thousands of mourners gathered in Jerusalem on Monday for the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage who was discovered over the weekend by IDF troops, having been murdered by Hamas. Over 17,000 people watched the funeral live on YouTube, which included a speech from Israel President Isaac Herzog and tributes from Hersh’s parents. "Hersh, I'm sorry,” lamented Hersh’s father, Jon Polin. “You would have pushed harder, and we will push so that your death and that of all the soldiers will not be in vain. We will bring home the remaining hostages. Our hope is not lost yet. The life we had with you was a blessing, and now we will work so that your legacy will be a blessing. I love you.” We are heartbroken about the news of the murder of Hersh and five other hostages: Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino. May their memories be a blessing to us all.

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Big Apple Big Heart. Joining vigils across the country, 2000 people gathered at New York City’s Columbus Circle on Sunday to mourn the murder of the six hostages whose bodies were recently found in Gaza. Those at the vigil waved American and Israeli flags, broke into impromptu songs and prayers, and displayed yellow ribbons and clothing that read “Bring them home now.” Describing the murdered hostages, one mourner said “I haven’t met any of these people, but they feel so close [...] It felt like it was always devastating to hear about all of the deaths and everything, but this one felt even more personal.”

(Credit: Jackie Hajdenberg | Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

• Students — how to take action, deal with antisemitism, and organize your community.
• Alumni — how to organize a sign-on letter, answer a fundraising request, or write a letter to a university president.
• Parents — write a letter about commencement, organize a dial day, or get help selecting a college for your student.
• Glossary of Commonly Used Antisemitic Phrases Heard at Protests.
• Campus Antisemitism Report Card — see the grade a college earned in this first-ever report card.
• Report an Antisemitic Incident.
• Are you a student or know one who needs legal help? Contact our Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL), run by ADL, Hillel, the Brandeis Center, and Gibson Dunn. Hundreds of incidents have been reported. You are not alone!

Do you have something to share with us? We are building this as we go — so please email us at [email protected] with any suggestions, questions, photos, and videos.