Columbia. Still suspended. That was the decision by Judge Nicholas Moyne of the New York State Supreme Court, who upheld Columbia University’s decision to suspend its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter for having repeatedly violated university policies during a wave of strident and occasionally violent anti-Israel protests during the previous school year. Judge Moyne said that the Columbia disciplinary step “was neither arbitrary or capricious, irrational, or in violation of clearly established university policies.” The school praised the decision and reiterated that its top priority is to keep the campus safe so students can focus on their education.

Deeper. See how Columbia and other universities and colleges fared in ADL's Campus Antisemitism Report Card, which is a tool for students, parents, alumni and other campus stakeholders looking for comparative information about the state of antisemitism on campuses.

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Texas Tech. In response to rising campus tensions, Texas Tech University’s Hillel held a unity walk on Tuesday to support Jewish communities in West Texas and Israel, as well as to combat antisemitism. Sindy Vayner, President of TTU Hillel, emphasized, “We are here today to fight antisemitism and show that our campus is a place for Jewish students.” Students describe receiving threats, being targeted on campus, experiencing hostility on walks to class, with one Hillel member recalling chants like, “Israel, Israel, You Can’t Hide.” As the student said about the anti-Israel hate, “it’s my homeland...to hear that on my small West Texas campus is shocking.”

(Source: KCBD video via TTU Hillel | Instagram)

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Arizona. The University of Arizona has received a $2 million gift commitment to establish the Edwin and Alma Lakin Holocaust, Human Rights, and Comparative Genocide Endowed Chair in the Arizona Center for Judaic Studies. The focus will be Holocaust studies research and teaching, connected to human rights and comparative genocide. The anonymous lead donor had lived on a kibbutz decades ago. The inaugural holder of the chair is Leonard Hammer, a senior lecturer who is eager to lift up proper Holocaust memorization and education “especially at such an important juncture in both world and Jewish history."

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Penn. The University of Pennsylvania suspended the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity chapter at Wharton Business School until fall 2025 due to "Risk Management Policy" violations linked to a prank involving “Missing Cow” posters that resembled posters raising awareness about Israeli hostages. The fraternity’s posters caused controversy and sparked accusations of insensitivity. Despite fraternity members claiming the posters were intended as a veganism joke, Penn imposed an 18-month suspension, mandating cultural sensitivity reforms.

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Harvard. Forget about “sit-ins” or “study-ins,” and say hello to the newest protest trend: “pray-ins.” Harvard Divinity Schools (HDS) students were suspended from the library after participating in a pro-Palestine demonstration held in the library, which is not a location approved in the school’s time, place and manner policy. Unlike other forms of protests, a “pray-in” is centered around — you guessed it — prayer! As Divinity School Dean Marla F. Frederick said in announcing the suspensions, “in and of itself, advocacy for the cause of people under duress" is noble, but the pray-in was in clear violation of Harvard rules against protests in libraries.

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Canadian Campus Media. Campus newspapers across Canada are increasingly pushing anti-Israel narratives, with articles in recent weeks asserting accusations of “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” by Israel. At the University of Toronto, The Varsity published an article claiming Israel’s actions mirror Canada’s treatment of Indigenous peoples, framing Israel’s 1948 founding as a settler-colonial project. At Concordia University, a column referred to the ongoing conflict as “Israel’s 76-year occupation of Palestine,” essentially denying Israel’s legitimacy. Collectively, these outlets are presenting a distorted view of Israel and its advocates.

Dangerous Territory. Rabbi Micah Greenstein spoke at a Hillel event at the University of Mississippi, addressing antisemitism on campuses. He explained antisemitism as both hatred and conspiracy theory, emphasizing the difference between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism. Greenstein urged colleges to foster open dialogue and civil discourse, with education as the key to combating antisemitism. Greenstein said “Unfortunately, the norm for civil discourse has been eroded over the last year at other universities, and it’s pushing us into very dangerous territory.”

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George Washington University. Every semester, the Chabad at George Washington University (GW) hosts a Mega Shabbat, where hundreds of students come together to celebrate Jewish life and community. University president, Ellen Granberg, joined this year’s event, showcasing a strong partnership between the administration and Jewish campus groups. Rabbi Levi Shemtov, founder of GW’s Chabad, said that this Mega Shabbat was the largest yet and is a way to positively respond to the encampments that took place in the spring. It “sends a message to students that they do have a place to come together and come together publicly and come together in strength.”

(Source: Chabad GW)

Keep Cam-el and Carry On. In a lively (and sandy) sporting event with thousands of spectators in southern Israel, the country’s Bedouin community took part in the first-ever state-sanctioned camel race, with tribes from both the country’s north and south represented. Talal al-Karinawi, mayor of the Bedouin city of Rahat, hopes that ”the race will strengthen the bond between the Bedouin and Jewish communities. Perhaps in the future, it will become an international race.”

(Source: Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli | Instagram)

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Rebuilding Hope. Residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small but resilient community on Israel’s border with Gaza, voted overwhelmingly to rebuild their homes and restore their way of life after the devastation caused by Hamas on October 7. Declaring their intention to return as a “real, meaningful victory,” the kibbutz has called on the government to support reconstruction efforts and to ensure continued assistance for those grappling with trauma. Though many are considering the difficult decision to stay away, Nir Oz offers an open invitation for all members to return when they are ready. Their commitment to rebuild stands as a symbol of hope, resilience and determination.

• 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.
• Faculty and Staff — support for impacted faculty and staff, and guidance on how to discuss what constitutes antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and how to provide help to students and colleagues.
• 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!

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