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Bowdoin. The disciplinary process for students involved in the Bowdoin Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) encampment continues, with eight students facing temporary suspension pending further action. In total, around 50 students are subject to disciplinary review following the encampment’s dismantling on February 10.
While administrators and students reached an “understanding” that led to the encampment’s closure, the college has maintained that the protest violated campus policies. Protesters argue the disciplinary process is flawed and retaliatory, and SJP is calling for amnesty for those involved. In response, students organized a walkout Tuesday afternoon in support of the students suspended.
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Protesters in front of Smith Union’s south entrance, February 10, 2025 (Source: Miles Berry) |
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Washington U. Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) admitted six transfer students this semester
as part of its mid-year transfer admissions program, now in its second year. This follows the program’s 2024 pilot, which admitted 14 students — 12 first-years and two sophomores. Two transfer students, both of whom left their previous West Coast liberal arts institutions due to antisemitism, shared their experiences. One student, who requested anonymity, described targeted antisemitic incidents at her former school, including vandalism and harassment. She transferred after using ADL’s
Campus Antisemitism Report Card on antisemitism to find a safer campus. She praised WashU’s welcoming environment, strong academics, and respectful discourse, calling the transition a "culture shock" in a positive way. Wash U’s Chancellor Andrew D. Martin will be appearing and speaking at this year’s Never is Now
summit.
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UC Santa Barbara. The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Office of Student Affairs sponsored and promoted a workshop titled "Anti-Palestinian Racism for Student Affairs,"
designed and proposed by Academics for Justice in Palestine (AJP). Despite concerns raised by community members, the administration refused to reconsider, and the event proceeded as scheduled on January 31. The workshop reportedly attempted to redefine Judaism in relation to Zionism and criticized new UC policies aimed at protecting Jewish students from harassment and discrimination. Additionally, it called on UCSB to reject what it described as "false accusations of antisemitism," a stance that could discourage Jewish students from reporting discrimination. ADL Santa Barbara/Tri Counties
condemned the university’s actions, calling on UCSB to conduct an immediate investigation and take corrective measures to support Jewish students, faculty and staff.
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Germany. At Goethe University in Frankfurt Germany, Jewish student Pia Bernstein has endured an antisemitic attack and severe harassment
both on campus and online. In an interview, Bernstein, the granddaughter of a Holocaust Survivor, described being shoved against a wall, injuring her shoulder, and receiving death and rape threats alongside online hate campaigns that used a photo of her face, to go along with physical assault. She believes that anti-Israel activists behind campus demonstrations are also responsible for the harassment she‘s received, which includes being stalked and filmed after lectures. Despite filing over 60 police complaints, legal action has been minimal, with only one arrest and a small fine issued.
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Northwestern. A law school clinic at Northwestern University is providing free legal support
to a group of anti-Israel protesters who disrupted travel to Chicago O’Hare Airport last year. The protesters face a lawsuit seeking to make them pay for civil damages to travelers blocked from getting to the airport. The demonstration was aimed at BDS goals connected to Boeing, which sells equipment to Israel. The Northwestern legal representation in question comes from law professor Sheila Bedi of the university’s Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic. A Northwestern representative said that Bedi's legal work does not "necessarily reflect the views of the university or its law school." | |
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Being the Change I Want to See. After witnessing the aftermath of 10/7 firsthand in Israel, Melanie Borker left a promising legal career to dedicate herself to Jewish advocacy.
Now the tri-state regional assistant director at Alums for Campus Fairness, she works to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism on college campuses. Through social media, educational programs and grassroots activism, she aims to empower Jewish students and alumni to stand up for Israel. Borker is also running for the World Zionist Congress on the Aish Ha’Am slate, aiming to prioritize Jewish education and strengthen Jewish identity. “I have always advocated for our state and our people. And in my post-October 7 life, I continue to be loudly and proudly Jewish and pro-Israel,” she said.
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Dartmouth Duo. Dartmouth professors Susannah Heschel and Ezzedine Fishere, experts on Jewish studies and Egyptian diplomacy respectively, led a discussion at Lehigh University
on navigating conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Facilitated by Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble, the event emphasized understanding shared anxieties, historical context and the importance of learning from differing perspectives rather than reducing the conversation to a debate over who is right or wrong. Heschel and Fishere shared their experiences co-teaching and engaging with students, highlighting the role of universities in providing a space for intellectual growth and learning from differing perspectives, even when those perspectives challenge deeply held beliefs. The discussion also touched on the challenges of balancing free expression with the need to
protect international students and the importance of upholding international law. | |
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Tech-ing On All Challenges. Despite the ongoing war with Hamas and other regional challenges, Israel’s high-tech sector
showed resilience in 2024. The industry secured $12 billion in funding — a 27% increase from the previous year — outpacing European and Asian markets. A surge in mergers and acquisitions signaled a shift from a startup-driven culture to scaling up for long-term growth. Cybersecurity remained a stronghold, with Israeli firms attracting over 40% of U.S. private investment. Similar to the way the government acted to protect the tech sector post-10/7, experts reaffirm the need for continued strategic policies and investments to sustain Israel’s position as a global tech leader.
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Paving a Professional Path. A new reform is making it easier for immigrants to start their professional careers in Israel faster by streamlining licensing requirements. The initiative allows new arrivals in fields like medicine, engineering and social work
to begin the accreditation process before they even set foot in the country, cutting wait times that previously took 6-12 months or longer. Led by Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, the reform aims to boost Israel’s workforce, address labor shortages and make immigration more accessible. Experts estimate the change could add $1.1 billion to Israel’s economy by 2034. | |
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Students — how to take action, deal with antisemitism, and organize your community.
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Alumni — how to organize a sign-on letter, answer a fundraising request, or write a letter to a university president.
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Parents — write a letter about commencement, organize a dial day, or get help selecting a college for your student.
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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.
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Glossary of Commonly Used Antisemitic Phrases Heard at Protests.
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Campus Antisemitism Report Card — see the grade a college earned in this first-ever report card.
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Report an Antisemitic Incident.
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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. | |
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