Jewish Life on Campus During the Israel-Hamas War - World Jewish Congress

Jewish Life on Campus During the Israel-Hamas War

Following the brutality of the terrorist attacks on October 7th, Jewish students on campus are under attack by their peers and professors, who are openly celebrating and praising the terrorists' attacks, minimizing Jewish pain, and rejecting Israel’s right to defend itself and exist. Through awareness, education, and advocacy, we can work to ensure that every Jewish student has the right to have a college experience free from hate, fear, and alienation.

An Open Letter by WJC NextGen in Solidarity with Jewish Students Amidst Violent Anti-Israel Demonstrations

Together We Stand in Solidarity with Jewish Students Amidst the Violent anti-Israel Demonstrations

American University
Washington, D.C., USA

1,600 Undergraduate Jewish Students (20.9% of Campus)

1,000 Graduate Jewish Students (16.8% of Campus)

What's Been Happening:

Antisemitism has long been an issue at American University, where Jewish students have experienced verbal harassment from classmates and professors. The situation has escalated to the point where the Department of Education has launched formal investigations into possible violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

From the ground updates
Tamara Listenberg
Lauder Fellow
Founder, Students Supporting Israel at American University (SSI at AU)
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Brown University
Providence, RI, USA

1,700 Undergraduate Jewish Students (23.9% of Campus)

139 Graduate Jewish Students (4.2% of Campus)

What's Been Happening:

In the wake of the October 7 attacks against Israel, Brown University’s Jewish community has been subjected to numerous anti-Jewish social media posts and protests that have glorified Hamas, called for the destruction of Israel, and blamed the Israeli government for the loss of life during the Israel-Hamas war. Within the Zionist community at Brown, there are mixed feelings about the administration's decision to negotiate with the encampment organizers. Some are happy that it diffused the situation, and others feel that the students were rewarded for breaking the rules and supporting the Intifada.

From the ground updates
Brooke Cohen
Lauder Fellow
Member, Hillel International Student Cabinet; Member, Brown Students for Israel
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Charles University
Staré Město, Prague, Czechia


What's Been Happening:

Antisemitic acts targeting Jewish students at Charles University have increased significantly since the October 7 terror attacks; many of these incidents remain unreported. While administrative assistance has been almost nonexistent, the Czech Union of Jewish Youth (ČUŽM) has taken the initiative to engage with political authorities to secure support and ensure the safety of Jewish students.

From the ground updates
Emma Günsberger
Lauder Fellow
President, Czech Union of Jewish Youth (ČUŽM)
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CUNY Baruch College
Manhattan, NY, United States

1,500 Undergraduate Jewish Students (9.7% of Campus)

400 Graduate Jewish Students (9.7% of Campus)

What's Been Happening:

Despite facing challenges from anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist coalitions, Jewish students at Baruch College have shown remarkable resilience, steadfastly maintaining their sense of community and pride amidst an unprecedented rise in antisemitism. National organizations have provided legal and emotional support through social activism and promoting dialogue between different campus groups to mitigate further conflicts and foster inclusivity. 

From the ground updates
Avrohom Malachowski
Lauder Fellow
President, Jewish on Campus Student Union; Representative Senator, CUNY University Student Senate; WJC Lauder Fellow 2022-23; Interfaith Intern at Hillel at Baruch.
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Duke University
Durham, NC, USA

810 Undergraduate Jewish Students (12.3% of Campus)

700 Graduate Jewish Students (6.2% of Campus)

What's Been Happening:

Duke University has been relatively quiet amid rising tensions in the wake of the October 7 attacks. The university has, for the most part, maintained a neutral stance on the raging conflict between students that is spreading across campuses across the country.

From the ground updates
Daniel Agmoni
Lauder Fellow
Member, TAMID; Member, Students Supporting Israel (SSI); Member, Start-Up Nation Mentorship (SUNM)
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Harvard University
Cambridge, MA, USA

700 Undergraduate Jewish Students (9.8% of Campus)

2,500 Graduate Jewish Students (52.5% of Campus)

What's Been Happening:

Since October 7, Harvard University has become the most infamous hotspot of campus antisemitism in America. The university’s alleged selective enforcement of anti-discrimination policies, in addition to the resignation of former President Claudine Gay, underscores the deep-rooted problems within Harvard's leadership and culture.

From the ground updates
Isaac Ohrenstein
Lauder Fellow
Writer, Harvard International Review; Member, Chabad Student Board
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McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

3,500 Undergraduate Jewish Students (12.9% of Campus)

500 Graduate Jewish Students (4.8% of Campus)

What's Been Happening:

Since October 7, McGill University has been marked by escalating tensions between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel student groups, reflecting the broader global conflict. The student group Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) McGill, which promotes pro-Palestine resistance and anti-Israel rhetoric, has been sanctioned by the university, which has been proactive in supporting the Jewish community.

From the ground updates
Claire Frankel
Lauder Fellow
Vice President of Advocacy, Hillel McGill
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University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA, USA

2,500 Undergraduate Jewish Students (7.7% of Campus)

500 Graduate Jewish Students (3.9% of Campus)

What's Been Happening:

The University of California, Berkeley, community has not been supportive of its Jewish members in the wake of the October 7 massacre. Many Jewish students have experienced isolation and exclusion, with some being ostracized or even removed from consulting clubs, extracurricular groups, and Greek life due to the hostile and targeted antisemitic rhetoric they face. This environment has necessitated a strong and self-reliant Jewish student network to ensure our safety and well-being on campus.

From the ground updates
Danielle Sobkin
Lauder Fellow
President, Bears for Israel; Member, Hillel International Student Cabinet 2022-23
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University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
What's Been Happening:

At the University of Cape Town, students who identified as Jewish were ordered to "go back to Europe," harassed, shoved, verbally insulted, and have been constantly referred to as 'racist colonists' and "genocide and apartheid supporters" by oppressors extreme enough to openly claim to be a part of the Hamas terror organization. This came after the most traumatic few months for South African Jewish students, who, for no other reason than their Jewish identity, have been marginalized, isolated, and demonized.

From the ground updates
Erin Dodo
Lauder Fellow
Chairperson, South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS); Deputy-Secretary General, UCT Students' Representative Council 2022-23; Board Member, Cape Jewish Board of Deputies & the South African Zionist Federation
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, USA

1,600 Undergraduate Jewish Students (16% of Campus)

What's Been Happening:

Since the October 7 attacks, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has become a ‘breeding ground’ for antisemitism and anti-Zionism. The university's failure to effectively address and condemn these incidents has allowed such sentiments to flourish, posing serious concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish students at UPenn.

From the ground updates
Noah Rubin
Lauder Fellow
Co-President, Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee; Vice President, Israel at Chabad; Vice President, Tikkun Olam Makers at Penn
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The University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom

700 Jewish students total (undergraduate and graduate).

What's Been Happening:

Jewish life at the University of Oxford has faced significant challenges since October 7, but the sense of bonding and solidarity among Jewish students has been bolstered by the emotional support given by the Oxford University Jewish Society (JSOC), which enables Jewish life to continue through the organization of events, networking opportunities, and community.

From the ground updates
Sam Kramer
Lauder Fellow
President & Independent Chair, Oxford Jewish Society; Member, Union of Jewish Students' National Council
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WJC NextGen supports and empowers Jewish students leaders in high school, university, and post-graduation who are making a difference in their communities today and to train them to be the changemakers of tomorrow.

The Student Activism Arm of the World Jewish Congress

The World Jewish Congress and Jewish on Campus have formed a key partnership to support students around the world and amplify Jewish voices.