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Hillel’s Virtual College Prep Series Returns: Considering Antisemitism on Campus

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December 10, 2024

����Ӱҵ’s Virtual College Prep Series is back, and this time speakers tackled the state of antisemitism on college campuses, what Jewish life is really like at colleges and universities, and how Hillels are showing up to help every Jewish student feel safe, supported, and included.

Here are a few top takeaways from “Careful Considerations: Antisemitism on Campus,” featuring on-the-ground perspectives from Hillel staff and current Jewish college students.

On a hopeful note, schools are improving their responses to antisemitism, in part thanks to Hillel’s initiatives, and that’s making a big difference.

“Hillel recorded [over] 2,600 incidents of antisemitism on college campuses since October 7,” said Lisa Armony, executive director of Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative. “[And] those incidents took place on 385 campuses.” Since the beginning of this academic year, Hillels have seen a decrease in the number of antisemitic incidents on campuses, but an increase in the extreme nature of the incidents. 

Part of that change has come from Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative, a program for college and university administrators to counter antisemitism and build a campus community in which Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identity. Nearly 100 schools have participated in the initiative to date.

“We’ve seen universities improve in how they communicate with their students, and with the broader community in terms of what their policies are,” said Armony, who is a parent to two college students. “We’re seeing some campuses really step up and do a terrific job… creating short and long term change, where inclusion of Jewish students is just part of what they do.” 

If you want to learn more about what Jewish life is like at a school you’re considering, reach out to the campus Hillel.

“Hillel professionals and Jewish students are the ones that really understand what’s going on,” Armony said. “So ask them: What is it like to be a Jewish student on your campus? What are you excited about? What do you love about your campus, and what are some of the challenges? You can have a really frank conversation about that.”

Armony also recommends asking  broader university questions about antisemitism, anti-Israel discrimination, and the campus climate as a whole — such as how administrators respond to antisemitic incidents, how the university administration proactively supports Jewish students, and how polarizing issues are dealt with in and out of the classroom.

“One of my biggest points of advice to parents when looking at this picture is to think about fit, just like you would for any aspect of choosing the right school,” said Adam Lehman, ����Ӱҵ president and CEO. “You know how your student is going to be successful.”

At the end of the day, Jewish students are still thriving and living joyously on college campuses, and Hillel plays a role in making that happen. 

[Hillel is] very much living out the critical role of creating incredible spaces for Jewish students to express their Jewish identities,” said Lehman.

Vivian Cohen ‘26, a student at Virginia Tech, agreed with Lehman. “The Jewish community has only grown stronger, and Jewish students want to engage more. Jewish students want to be with other Jewish students. They want to have that connection,” she said. 

Adena Kirstein, executive director of George Washington University Hillel, said that making those joyous spaces for students to grow and connect with their Jewish identities remains the best part of her job.

“That’s the dream of the work that we’re doing,” she said. “And I feel grateful and privileged to do it time and time again.”

to hear all the tips and resources we couldn’t fit into just one blog post, including scholarships and opportunities to get involved.