Dear Campus Alert subscribers -- Starting next week, many colleges and universities will have Spring breaks and students will be off campus. During that time, we will deliver this newsletter each Tuesday and Thursday.

Barnard/Columbia. Another day, another protest at Barnard College and Columbia University. This time, a day after nine protesters were arrested after NYPD cleared a building that anti-Israel protesters had occupied on Barnard’s campus, the protest sprang up at Columbia’s Low Steps, where protesters chanted angrily about the police and the school leadership. The arrested protesters face charges of obstructing governmental administration, trespass and disorderly conduct. In response to this latest disruption, Barnard President Laura Rosenbury emailed to the school that “the desire of a few to disrupt and threaten cannot outweigh the needs of the students, faculty, and staff who call our campus home.” Campus security at Barnard is being toughened as well. ADL calls for appropriate consequences “for those who broke the law and violated Barnard's campus code of conduct.”

VIEW: ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt recorded this video conversation yesterday with Columbia junior Lishi Baker, who described the chaos of the recent protests.

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American Association of University Professors. Yesterday, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt and leaders of several other major Jewish organizations wrote to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) regarding a webinar titled "Scholasticide in Palestine" that was endorsed by an AAUP Council Member and promoted to AAUP members. The letter takes the event organizers to task for promoting “a one-sided narrative demonizing Israel, and perpetuates falsehoods that have no place within a scholarly association.” Further, ADL and our co-signatories call on the AAUP to take steps to counter any damage caused by this polarizing webinar and to forcefully condemn the ostracizing of Israeli academics.

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Princeton. Princeton University will not move forward with a proposal to sever financial ties with entities connected to Israel, following a lengthy review by the Resources Committee. The committee, which includes faculty, students and staff, found no campus consensus on the matter. After receiving thousands of responses through a public input process, the university deemed that the community was too divided to take action on divestment.

DEEPER: A report by ADL affiliate JLens estimates that universities could lose billions in future returns on their endowments if they capitulate to BDS initiatives.

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England. Anti-Israel activist group Palestine Action vandalized buildings at the University of Cambridge and Oxford University, demanding divestment from companies with financial ties to Israel. On Tuesday, the group covered Cambridge's Old Schools administrative building in red paint and graffiti reading "divest." Days earlier, Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government was vandalized, with activists smashing windows and threatening "direct action" if the university did not sever ties with Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems. Palestine Action boasted about the attacks online, stating: "They can try to stop the student intifada, but they will never succeed. Resistance until victory!" Authorities are investigating, with no arrests yet made. Both universities have condemned the vandalism.

(Source: Instagram | @pal_action)

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Israel. Ben-Gurion University suspended professor Sebastian Ben Daniel following remarks he made online criticizing IDF soldiers, including writing that they are “trained to kill.” Ben Daniel is known for publishing anti-Israel opinions under the alias “John Brown,” and his most recent posts have sparked significant backlash from students and the public. Ben Daniel issued an apology acknowledging the situation and its impact on students but insisted his comments were taken out of context and separate from his academic role. He also condemned his suspension as part of a broader attack on free speech and warned against the dangers of suppressing dissent. The university said that his suspension will remain in place pending an inquiry about his conduct.

Book It, Blake. Blake Flayton graduated from college a few years ago, where he spoke out about his perspective as a student advocate for Israel and Zionism as well as a liberal, progressive, gay man. Now a few years out, he has made Aliyah and has co-written a book for the Jewish students today who are facing a hostile campus climate. In “10 Things Every Jew Should Know Before They Go to College,” he addresses antisemitic lies and how to respond, as well as other issues. In talking about today’s students, Blake added that “not everyone is expected to challenge Students for Justice in Palestine or Jewish Voice for Peace with a bullhorn. But for those brave souls who are, we encourage them."

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In Tune with the Times. At an auditorium at the University of Maryland, the audience clapped, hummed and stomped in enjoyment as Jewish a cappella groups from six colleges in the region competed in a Hillel event intended to be a prototype for a wider program in the coming year. As Hillel International CEO Adam Lehman said, “It’s critical to create opportunities for Jewish joy for Jewish students on campus. We all know the challenges of these past 16 or 17 months.” Lehman was one of the judges and is himself a veteran a cappella singer. Who knew? Congratulations to the winners, including a Tufts singer who won for best beatboxing, and the hometown Maryland group Rak Shalom, which took best in show.

Kickin’ It Old School. In a remarkable display of resilience and service, retirees in Israel are rediscovering their youth through Service Year 50 Plus, a national service initiative for volunteers over 50. Launched last year, the program places experienced professionals in communities near the Gaza border, where they provide crucial support in education, therapy and community rebuilding. Following the 10/7 attacks, volunteers have stepped in to renovate homes, assist the elderly and support pre-army training programs. Many, like former kibbutz leaders and medical professionals, left their own homes—including areas affected by Hezbollah rockets—to serve in hard-hit regions. Their impact is profound, not just for those they help, but for themselves. “It’s so satisfying to give,” says volunteer Esti Weisman. “It’s an opportunity to be young again.”

(Source: Elul/Shnat Sherut)

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Not Dead Yet—Just Back for More Laughs. John Cleese, the legendary Monty Python comedian, is bringing his new tour, "An Evening with John Cleese," to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem this June, marking his second run in Israel. At 85, Cleese will reflect on his storied career, including Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and his unique perspective on current events. This visit marks a follow-up to his 2019 show "Last Time to See Me Before I Die," because apparently, he didn’t quite die yet.

• 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, 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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