As anti-Israel protests on college campuses shatter Jewish students’ sense of security and belonging, UJA has been actively working with our partners on the ground — in schools, in the workplace, and in the halls of power.
UJA has long been the largest funder of Jewish life on campus. But in the wake of October 7, and particularly over the past several weeks, we’ve been focused intently on responding to campus unrest — along with several other key areas.
CAMPUS: SAFETY AND LEGAL SUPPORT
- At Columbia, our Community Security Initiative (CSI) team was called in to provide security, advice, and support and to help escort students to and from campus for Passover seders.
- At NYU just this past Friday night, after threats were made by protesters, CSI worked with NYPD, campus security, and the Bronfman Center to provide security for students participating in their annual end-of-year Shabbat.
- On campuses across New York, CSI's involvement prevented headline-making events. We're working with school administrators, campus police, and NYPD across all area campuses to ensure swift resolutions and maintain the peace. And we're advocating fiercely for universities to uphold their codes of conduct.
- We’re working closely with CUNY administration to advance antisemitism training and build bridges. In recent years, with our partner the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, we’ve taken 136 CUNY presidents, professors, and high-level administrators to Israel for learning trips that have helped prepare them for just this moment.
- A UJA-funded staff attorney at the Brandeis Center — a position created in response to October 7 — is investigating Title VI claims and representing Jewish students facing baseless misconduct allegations by pro-Palestinian organizations and individuals.
- We're providing 24/7 support for our tireless Hillel staff and students — ensuring that they find comfort in a warm and embracing Jewish community on campus.
- We’re also funding the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) to provide strategic and technical support to pro-Israel students, including guidance on messaging.
NYC SCHOOLS: TEACHING THE TEACHERS
- Public school teachers are standing in front of students who are getting most of their understanding of the war from TikTok. Which is why it’s so important that we’re providing teachers with opportunities to learn about teaching antisemitism and the complexity of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as part of their professional development.
- Recently, NYC School Chancellor Banks announced that the DOE will be creating a new Holocaust teaching guide. We also brought the chancellor along with other educational leaders and lawmakers to the UJA-funded Nova Music Festival Exhibition.
- We’re convening and supporting Jewish parents from independent schools to help them advocate for their kids with school administration.
ONLINE: FIGHTING DISINFORMATION, KEEPING WATCH
- We’ve joined a coalition of funders and foundations to launch a large-scale media campaign to test and elevate important messages to fight disinformation (For example, showing how current campus protests are different from the anti-war protests of the 1960s and debunking the settler-colonial narrative.)
- CSI intelligence analysts continue to scour the dark web for threats, working closely with law enforcement.
THE HALLS OF POWER: SPEAKING OUT
- We’ve been in daily contact with elected officials, including the governor and mayor, who have taken strong stances denouncing the intimidation of Jewish students on campus.
- We’re crafting legislation with City Council members to bring transparency to NYC public schools, including foreign funding and the public reporting of incidents of hate.
- We’re bringing political leaders and influencers of all different backgrounds to Israel. Working with the NY Hostage Forum to keep the hostages at the forefront of public discourse. And advocating for the passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act.
- With a coalition of partners, we’re pressing the U.S. Department of Education to adopt and enforce a consistent application of the definition of antisemitism — as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) — to guide college presidents in clarifying campus policies.
SUMMER CAMPS: SECURITY, SO KIDS CAN BE KIDS
- As camp season nears, CSI's security directors have held numerous safety meetings with camp staff and law enforcement and conducted active threat and security awareness training.
- In densely populated camp areas like Sullivan County, CSI plays a vital role in coordinating communication among camps, the Jewish community, and law enforcement.
THE WORKPLACE: CREATING COMMUNITY
- Since October 7, dozens of the world’s largest businesses have requested UJA’s help in establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) so that Jewish employees can find the community they need at work.
- Most recently, we’ve been deeply engaged with multiple companies to help them design Jewish programs, especially timely because May is Jewish Heritage Month.
FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM ACROSS ALL SECTORS
- We're working closely with Project Shema — a training and support organization created to challenge anti-Jewish ideas — to teach university administrators, public school educators, HR professionals, and companies about contemporary antisemitism and how to combat it.
- We're also actively pursuing new solutions to this age-old problem. We’re the premier partner supporting the ADIR Challenge, an idea competition to leverage technology to combat antisemitism. The competition received more than 120 submissions from 22 countries around the world — including from the very college campuses where antisemitism is raging.
TAKE ACTION: WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
- Sign this petition from Hillel that we’re cosponsoring to address a host of campus concerns and Stand Up for Students.
- Donate to help us continue to fight antisemitism and promote Jewish life.
- Follow us on social media to stay connected.