Michigan State. At Michigan State University, the Jewish Student Union and Spartans for Israel strongly condemned the student government at the school for passing a bill that includes support for divestment from Israel; the bill also expressed a vote of no confidence in the school’s Board of Trustees for its response to calls for BDS. Jewish student leaders criticized the student government’s action as harmful to the Jewish community on campus, ignoring Jewish and pro-Israel voices and spreading false accusations of genocide against Israel. Jewish student leaders Kylar Ebinger and Tyler Pohl said “This bill completely ignores the fact that Israel is fighting a war of necessity to bring the hostages home and dismantle Hamas, an organization whose stated goal is to rid the world of Jews.”

(Anti-Israel protesters at MSU in 2024. Source: State News)

👉 TAKE ACTION: Join ADL in telling Congress to pass the Protecting Students on Campus Act so Jewish students can speak up — and respond to incidents on campus. Click here to speak out.

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Columbia. A U.S. House Committee has demanded that Columbia University turn over disciplinary records for anti-Israel protesters, alleging the school’s failure to address rising campus antisemitism and arguing that Columbia’s lack of accountability has created a hostile environment for Jewish students despite the university receiving billions in federal funding. The panel is requesting records for 11 protest incidents, with a deadline set for the end of the month. Columbia has defended its actions, noting that it has recently disciplined some students, but congressional scrutiny continues.

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Kings College, UK. A protest and counter-protest took place at King’s College London (KCL) over Rana Baker, a Palestinian lecturer at KCL accused of expressing terrorist sympathies, following a leaked recording shared with media outlets that led to an investigation by the school. That investigation has not yet led to any action against Baker. Anti-Israel demonstrators criticized KCL for not protecting Dr. Baker and denounced what they called "baseless and racist allegations." Meanwhile, pro-Israel counter-protestors called for her removal and for the school to protect Jewish students. A heavy police presence separated the groups.

🎟 Interested in Addressing Antisemitism on Campus?
Join ADL and other leading voices on March 3-4 in NYC at Never Is Now, the World's Largest Summit on Antisemitism and Hate. Engage in panels and workshops designed to equip you with tools to advocate against antisemitism on college campuses.

Jewish Joy. Three Hillel directors make the case that the Jewish community should shift from a reactive approach to proactively fostering Jewish flourishing. Creating vibrant Jewish spaces where students not only combat antisemitism but also engage deeply with their Judaism should be paramount. Hillel, Chabad and other groups on campus are taking on this important work helping Jewish students thrive through immersive Jewish experiences and leadership opportunities. The authors urge the Jewish community to re-invest in strengthening Jews and Judaism on campus, rather than being defined by adversity.

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From Crisis to Awakening. Julie Platt, chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, reflects on the surge of antisemitism on U.S. campuses following October 7, 2023, and how universities were unprepared for the fallout. She had a central view of this, serving in a temporary role as University of Pennsylvania Board Chair after the resignation of the previous chair as the school struggled to respond effectively to anti-Israel actions. She notes that since then, institutions have tightened protest regulations, aiming to prevent further disruptions that are unwelcoming to Jewish students. At the same time, Platt highlights an unexpected response—a renewed Jewish identity movement, with many seeking deeper community connections.

True North. For the first time since 10/7, Birthright Israel is resuming visits by college students and other young Jews to Israel’s north. The initial Hamas attack was followed by Hezbollah missiles from southern Lebanon; over 1,600 missiles poured in before Israeli counterstrikes led to a ceasefire. Birthright’s leadership feels that now is the time to add the north back to trips, with CEO Gidi Mark vowing that “While the war has undoubtedly presented challenges, it has only underscored the importance of our mission.” Even with Israel on a war footing, Birthright has slowed but not stopped; there were 20,000 Birthright participants last year. A recent study of past participants found that Birthright alumni are more likely to be active in the Jewish community, marry a Jewish spouse and support Israel.

(A Birthright trip visits Safed in Israel’s north in December 2024. Source: Courtesy of Nehemia Rosenfeld/Birthright Israel)

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Faith and Fighting. In a historic shift, Haredi recruits in the IDF’s new Hashmonaim Brigade are integrating into combat roles while maintaining their religious traditions. Stationed at Tze’elim Base, the unit offers kosher-certified meals, Torah study halls and filtered phones, ensuring recruits can train without compromising their beliefs. Many soldiers, some keeping their enlistment secret from their yeshivas, say the 10/7 attacks pushed them to serve, despite coming from communities historically opposed to military service. A parallel Shabbat gathering in Jerusalem supported the wives and children of the soldiers. “It’s not what we grew up on, but I’m happy with my decision,” said one soldier.

• 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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