Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

(New York, N.Y., JNS Wire) - In an effort to expose and combat antisemitism in higher education across the United States, watchdog group StopAntisemitism.org will release a report in September on the rise of Jew-hatred at colleges and universities across the United States - grading 25 different schools on their commitment and efforts to preventing and responding to antisemitic incidents and behaviors on their respective campuses.

"StopAntisemitism is authoring this report in response to the rise in antisemitic hate and violence that has plagued higher education campuses for the past few years, and to help address concerns the organization has fielded from Jewish students and their parents," said Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism.

"Jewish parents have been reaching out to StopAntisemitism to find out which colleges and universities are safe for their students to attend, asking troubling questions such as: Where can their Jewish student feel comfortable wearing a Star of David necklace or a kipah? Which campus holds "Apartheid Week" aimed at misinforming and inciting violence towards Jewish students? What administrations have taken a stand against antisemitism?" she continued.

Currently, StopAntisemitism knows of at least three active Title VI complaints levied against schools due to antisemitism. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Investigations are underway at USC, NYU and CUNY due to ongoing discrimination and/or harassment against Jewish students because they are Jewish.

Each of the schools chosen for the report received a short e-survey from StopAntisemitism, inquiring about their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices and initiatives; any formal procedures in dealing with antisemitic incidents; if the school has or is going to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism; and if the school accommodates the religious and cultural needs of Jewish students. The answers that the schools provide will be included in the report. Schools that choose not to participate in the survey will also be notated.

StopAntisemitism has already received responses to the survey with only one school dissenting: the University of Virginia's DEI Division vice president declined participation after consulting with the associate university counsel, as well as the associate vice president for Equal Opportunity, Civil Rights and Title IX.

"We cannot imagine that the University of Virginia would turn down the opportunity to participate in an important survey for any other marginalized community, and it makes us wonder what they are trying to avoid," said Rez.

In addition to the surveys, StopAntisemitism will be conducting its own research, as well as collecting student and alumni testimonials.

The 25 schools include Ivy League schools, state schools, liberal arts schools, and public and private schools with the highest population of Jewish students.

• Ivy League schools: Columbia University, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania (Penn), Princeton University, and Yale University.

• State schools: the University of California Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Michigan Ann Arbor, University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill and University of Virginia (UVA).

• Liberal Arts schools: Amherst College, Brandeis University, Pomona College, Swarthmore College, and Williams College.

• Public schools with the highest Jewish student populations: the University of Florida, University of Maryland, City University New York (CUNY) Brooklyn, Rutgers University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

• Private schools with the highest Jewish student populations: Boston University (BU), George Washington University (GW), New York University (NYU), University of Southern California (USC) and Tulane University.

The intention is twofold: to help inform Jewish parents and students about where they can feel safe being Jewish on campus with a list of schools that receive positive findings; and to help the schools that receive negative findings to do better for their Jewish students.

StopAntisemitism is a watchdog dedicated to holding antisemites accountable and creating consequences for their actions by exposing them through social media, calls to action, and various partnerships. Founded in 2018 by digital media expert and activist Liora Rez, StopAntisemitism has made a critical impact in the fight against Jewish hate and bigotry in America through its proactive and vigilant approach. For more information or to report antisemitic behavior, visit StopAntisemitism.org.