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Dear Friends,
The days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter, and after a long winter, the warmth of spring is just about here! With the change in seasons comes a renewed energy—a feeling of possibility and momentum that we intend to harness. Just as the world around us is blossoming, we too are entering a new period of growth, opportunity, and action. But while the changing seasons bring optimism, they also remind us that our work is far from over. At ADL, we know that while the world outside may be thawing, the challenges we face remain pressing. Jewish students continue to need our support, advocacy, and solidarity in meaningful ways. This moment calls for both action and care, and
we are committed to stepping up with strength and purpose. There’s a lot of work ahead, but together, we can make a real impact. Read on to see how you can be part of the effort.
Protecting Jewish students isn’t just a part of our mission—this protection is the standard we must uphold in our communities and in the greater world around us. Safety, support, and advocacy aren’t optional; they are essential. That is exactly why the 2025 ADL Campus Report Card
is one of our most anticipated initiatives. The ADL Campus Report Card is a tool for students, parents, alumni, college faculty, guidance counselors, admissions consultants and other stakeholders. Our goal is to serve students and their families looking for information about the current state of antisemitism on campus and how particular universities and colleges are responding. ADL’s Report Card 2.0 assesses 135 schools based on 30 criteria, separated into three categories: ‘Administrative Policies,’ ‘Jewish Life on Campus’ and ‘Campus Conduct and Climate Concerns.’ In the schools surveyed this year,
45% made significant policy changes regarding antisemitic activity on campus. Nearly all of the schools revised their policies for demonstrations; following anti-Israel protests that erupted on campuses across the country last year, disturbing academic activities and making Jewish students no longer feel safe on their campus. ADL is committed to continuing to show up for students on campuses across the nation.
In recent weeks, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill engaged in targeted actions on social media against Jewish and Israeli staff members with their recent Drop Hillel campaign. These actions contribute to creating an environment of hostility and intimidation on campus. Demonizing any student or student groups with connections to Israel stand in direct opposition to the values of respect and inclusion our campus communities uphold.
Our official statement makes clear that such behavior has no place at UNC, and a safe and supportive environment for all students, faculty, and staff is paramount to the success of all communities. Moving north into Maryland, ADL was proud to have brought University of Maryland students to testify before Maryland lawmakers for the
Maryland Campus Accountability Act & Remove Discrimination in Education Act. Assistant Regional Director
Luda Isakharov and students shared firsthand accounts of antisemitism on campus.
As we move forward, our commitment to fighting antisemitism and standing against all forms of hatred and bias remains stronger than ever. We believe our region has fostered communities built on respect, education, and fairness, ensuring that no one faces discrimination or intimidation. By staying informed, speaking out, and supporting one another, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for all. We encourage our readers to stay engaged, attend our upcoming events, and take an active role in promoting justice and understanding. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Sincerely,
Josh Stevens
ADL Washington, D.C. Deputy Regional Director |
ADL D.C. continuously does work on the ground to serve our communities. Through robust educational programs, speaking engagements, and advocacy, we empower the region to challenge hate, bias, bigotry, and extremism.
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Southern Division Education piloted a webinar for parents and caregivers on challenging antisemitism and advocating for safe, inclusive K-12 school environments for Jewish students. Through the webinar, participants were guided through antisemitism and response strategies, with the opportunity to ask questions of two Southern Division Education Directors.
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ADL D.C.'s Education Director partnered with the Virginia Holocaust Museum to host an Educators Challenging Antisemitism workshop for teachers and administrators in Winchester, Virginia, and surrounding areas. Participants discussed defining antisemitism, recognizing stereotypes, and responding to incidents in schools and on social media.
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Tools & Strategies: Picture and Chapter Books to Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month
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Webinar—Virtual Tour of the Yad Vashem Museum Focusing on the Warsaw Ghetto and the Uprising (Tuesday, April 1 at 3 PM) In commemoration of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, take a virtual tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem. View the gallery that contains artifacts, films and other treasures related to the Warsaw Ghetto, as well as the gallery that deals with the Uprising, 82 years ago.
Register here.
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Virtual Words to Action for Jewish High School Students (April 3 at 6:30 PM) ADL's Southern Division invites students in grades 9-12 to participate in Words to Action, with parental permission, a program to provide you with the knowledge and skills to constructively and effectively respond to antisemitism on the classroom and online. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions as completely as possible.
Register here.
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ADL Webinar Series Unfiltered—Session 2: Advocating for Yourself & Your Jewish Peers (Monday, April 7 at 8 PM) For students & parents/caregivers: Explore advocacy strategies Jewish students can use on campus if they experience an antisemitic incident. Students will learn about campus stakeholders and how to find support, while parents/caregivers will acquire strategies for supporting their students from afar.
Register here.
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Webinar—Genocide: The Greatest Crime (Thursday, April 17 at 4 PM) For educators: Teaching about genocide provides an opportunity to engage students in deep reflection about choices made by individuals, leaders, governments, and larger society at different points in time. Learn how to navigate the definition of genocide in today’s classroom, explore how genocides occur, and examine their consequences.
Register here.
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Sign up TODAY! On Thursday, April 3 (8-9:30 PM) at Beth Sholom, enjoy a delicious sushi and wine dinner while delving into antisemitism, social media and narratives, marking the third installment in the Combating Antisemitism
class. Special speakers Dr. Benji Davis, and Avia Halevi will dive into how sometimes the truth does not matter in today’s discourse. Together, they will explore strategies for addressing misinformation online and, just as importantly, navigating human interactions—learning how to diffuse escalation without compromising our values. Click here to get your tickets. |
Get 25% off tickets to see Parade at Blumenthal Arts in Charlotte, NC, from March 25th to 30th*
Parade, which originally premiered in 1998, is a musical dramatization of the 1913 trial of Leo Frank. Based on the powerful true story of Leo and Lucille Frank, Parade showcases an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. The play delves into issues of antisemitism and racism, while exploring post-Reconstruction and early 20th Century life and relationships in the South.
ADL was founded in 1913 following the trial of Leo Frank, which underlined the importance of its establishment and its timeless mission ‘to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.’
Learn more about the musical proclaimed, “a work of art!” (Deadline) here: Parade | Blumenthal Arts and check out ADL’s Reflection and Discussion Guide here.
*Offer valid for 25% off all performances. Excludes Premium and Price Zone 40 seats. Discount applies to ticket price only. Cannot be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases. |
Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program Update
Last week, the Trump Administration announced a 30-day freeze on all funds distributed by FEMA, which directly affects the Nonprofit Security Grant Program managed by FEMA. Under this program, nonprofits apply for federal grants to implement security measures, such as installing security cameras or bulletproof windows. These organizations initially cover the costs themselves and then seek reimbursement from FEMA. However, due to the freeze, nonprofits are currently unable to receive these reimbursements, leaving them to manage the expenses on their own. National Affairs is mobilizing supporters to urge the administration to unfreeze the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
⚡Take Action⚡ |
Combating Antisemitism
Protecting Students
Stopping Hate and Extremism
Addressing October 7th |
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