Four Year Summary, U.S. Department of Education. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a report summarizing its enforcement record during the Biden-Harrs Administration. Over the past four years, OCR received a record number of 71,385 cases and resolved over 56,000 cases, including a backlog of previous cases. The report recognized a recent “proliferation of hate” in our schools and increasing demands on the office. OCR devoted significant resources to addressing discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnicity, including opening and resolving more investigations on this topic, securing more resolutions, issuing more policy resources and offering more technical assistance trainings than prior administrations. We urge OCR under the new Administration to continue this commitment to civil rights, prioritizing cases of antisemitism and issuing further guidance and resources to combat the troubling rise of antisemitic and anti-Zionist harassment and discrimination in K-12 schools and on college and university campuses.

👉 TAKE ACTION NOW: Join ADL in urging Congress to reintroduce and pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act in this term — giving the Department of Education the tools it needs to investigate antisemitic harassment and discrimination on campuses. Click here to join ADL in speaking up for this much-needed action in support of Jewish students.

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Anti-Israel Campus Activists. You might think that the potential for a halt to fighting in Gaza would be a “mission accomplished” moment for the campus activists who have centered much of their campus agitation on calling for a ceasefire. With a deal that would provide that ceasefire and that would free long-suffering hostages held in captivity by Hamas and its fellow terrorists seemingly close at hand, anti-Israel groups including the National Students for Justice in Palestine are quickly pivoting to new goals, calling for "fully liberated Palestine, from her river to her sea" and for expansion of divestment efforts. National SJP also praised Gazans for embracing Hamas and other terrorist organizations.

(Source: Palestinian Youth Movement | Instagram)

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Washington. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a resolution with the University of Washington to improve its response to shared ancestry discrimination under Title VI. Following over 140 reported incidents, including antisemitic graffiti and threats, OCR found the university’s responses inadequate. The resolution requires the University to hire a Title VI Coordinator, enact policy updates and staff training, and conduct campus climate assessments to ensure compliance. These changes “ensure that university students may learn without discrimination,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon.

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K-12 Howard County (MD). In a Title VI agreement announced on Thursday, Maryland’s Howard County Public Schools and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights signed off on a resolution regarding dozens of incidents at 16 different schools. ADL summed up some of the uglier incidents: “They were confronted with swastikas, Nazi salutes and praise of Hitler. … The word 'Jew' became an accepted slur.” Now, the school system will be both accountable and responsible for the protection of their students, who deserve no less. The agreement calls for the school system to take a number of steps, including revising its policies about discrimination, providing annual training to all, and holding an informational program for every student in each middle and high school to address discrimination.

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Penn. The University of Pennsylvania officially launched its Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (OREI) to combat rising trends in antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of religious bias. The office aims to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. An expansion of past channels offered to report allegations to the university, OREI will investigate allegations of religious and ethnic discrimination, partner with restorative justice programs to mediate conflicts and develop campus-wide educational initiatives. Interim Penn President Larry Jameson emphasized its mission to foster tolerance and inclusion, with plans for new programming and staff expansion in 2025.

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Concordia. Concordia University in Montreal spent $289,238 to repair and conceal broken windows in a university building, which were damaged during an anti-Israel demonstration last fall. The protesters shattered windows and spray-painted messages. The demonstration followed a student walkout, during which police clashed with protesters. “We need the entire community’s collaboration to help us maintain a peaceful study and work environment at Concordia,” deputy spokesperson Julie Fortier said. “That’s why we called on all community members and groups to denounce violence, including vandalism of our buildings.” The university continues to face increased political activism from students with anti-Israel views.

(Source: Alice Martin | The Link)

In a New Country. Master’s student Jon Ziner Cohen felt pervasive hostility during his undergraduate work in Toronto. He says that as a Jewish student in this tense campus climate, his thesis project was ripped down, and he received personal threats. So Jon made a leap. He is now getting his master's in human-Computer Interaction in Israel at Reichman University, is finding the transformation inspiring, and his interactions with Israeli life, during a time of deep challenges for the country, to be a privilege that is helping him persevere.

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Finding Community. In the aftermath of the Hamas attacks, Jews have sought out community more than ever. This need for connection is evident across college campuses, and those serving the Jewish student population are putting systems in place to meet these exceptional demands. "Understanding this changed landscape, we must focus our attention on staying relevant to the needs and desires of the constituents we service," stated Jay Solomon, Chief Advancement Officer for Hillel Ontario. Hillel Ontario, the largest in the world, has seen a 40% growth in student involvement, and like its peers in the Jewish campus space, is rising to the moment to support "meaningful connection, bold advocacy and proud Jewish expression."

The French Connection. For the first time since the Hamas 10/7 terrorist massacre, Israel welcomed a large contingent of French teen students . They came through a program that previously focused on introducing European Jews to educational institutions in Israel, but this time was centered on assisting Israeli society. About 800 French teens took part, working on volunteer programs such as packing food for the poor, helping Magen David Adom and Yad Sarah, and supporting agricultural communities that suffered during the war. The program seems to be working well, as Noa and Eve, two of the students said: “Not only did we volunteer, we also strengthened our connection to Israel and Israeli society.”

(Photo courtesy of Mosaic United)

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Daring to Dream. Israeli singer and AI entrepreneur Yoni Bloch offers a bold vision of peace in his new music video Sof Tov (A Happy Ending ). Released during the ongoing conflict, the video imagines a hopeful future where hostages return, peace flourishes and even Taylor Swift takes the stage in Tel Aviv. Bloch’s innovative use of AI-generated visuals captivates viewers with scenes of unity, including a Middle Eastern Union and cultural celebrations. While some critics call the vision overly optimistic, Bloch emphasizes the importance of dreaming: “It’s clear to all of us that reality is much more complex, but the purpose of the song… is to remind people that they should not stop dreaming.”

(Source: Screengrab from YouTube: @YoniBloch)

• 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!

Do you have something to share with us? Please email us at [email protected] with any suggestions, questions, photos or videos.