“Too often, instances of anti-Semitism in the workplace go ignored, unreported or unaddressed,” stated the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2022. That is in part because those responsible for addressing anti-Semitism in the workplace are unable to identify it.

The Brandeis Center’s corporate initiative combats anti-Semitism in four areas: employment discrimination, corporate Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) of Israel, anti-Israel Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

We counsel senior executives and administrators on their legal and regulatory duties to protect Jewish Americans from harassment and discrimination. We also counsel employees to understand anti-Semitism and Jewish identity so as to engage respectfully with colleagues.

Modeled on our successful work in higher education, the Brandeis Center offers trainings for corporate managers on how to address anti-Semitism, respect Jewish identity, and comply with pertinent legal obligations. Topics include the relationship between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, as well as the connection between DEI programming and anti-Semitism. Central to our materials is educating about Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employees’ legal right to religious accommodation and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), harassment and discrimination against Jewish employees and employers’ obligations to respond to them, and best practices for doing so.