The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Right Under Law (the Brandeis Center) commends Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) President Eric W. Kaler and Colorado State University (CSU) Interim Executive President Dr. Rick Miranda for their strong public statements condemning anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity on their campuses. As the Brandeis Center noted in its letter congratulating President Kaler, “Such leadership has been sorely needed at this time when anti-Semitism has risen to historic levels, including on college campuses around the country.” CWRU’s President Kaler demonstrated exemplary leadership and moral clarity by condemning the “profoundly anti-Israel and anti-Semitic” Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) resolution passed by the undergraduate student government last semester. As President Kaler correctly noted in his statement: “Passing this resolution last night undermines the safety and comfort on our campus of members of our Jewish community.” His statement further emphasized that the resolution “undoubtedly [] promotes anti-Semitism. A vote for this resolution is clearly a vote against Israel and an aggression towards the Jewish members of our community.” Indeed, BDS often correlates with a rise in anti-Semitic incidents on campus. Therefore, it is important for university leaders to clearly and forcefully reject this pernicious manifestation of anti-Semitism, as President Kaler did. . In his statement, Interim President Miranda drew attention to “several steps [the university has taken] to improve the environment for Jewish students, staff, and faculty” in response to anti-Semitic incidents on CSU’s campus: . A [Presidential] task force [on Jewish Inclusion and the Prevention of Antisemitism] was charged with making several recommendations, and we have continued the work this year, and started with implementation. A formal unit in our Office for Inclusive Excellence, the Jewish Inclusion Advisory Council, has now been established to continue the work of the task force, and will be a resource for our entire community. We are adding faculty expertise in Jewish Studies to our Department of Ethnic Studies; new courses and curricula are being developed and planned for, pending further investments. We regularly engage with Hillel and Chabad, the Jewish student groups on campus, and we will look for ways to continue to support their activities, including the Holocaust Awareness events later this semester. . Dr. Miranda went on to personally recommend attendance of the school’s Holocaust Awareness event, describing it as, “a powerful remembrance of both tragedy, and triumph.” . Importantly, CSU has also endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism (the IHRA definition). The IHRA definition is a vital tool in the efforts to combat today’s anti-Semitism. If anti-Semitism is not understood, it cannot be recognized and condemned for what it is. The IHRA definition assists university leaders in raising awareness about the dangers of anti-Semitism and educating their campus communities about the history and continuing impact of this form of bigotry and discrimination. . As leaders of educational institutions, university administrators have an obligation to speak out against hate and bigotry in all forms, including anti-Semitism. As anti-Semitism continues to rise on college campuses and beyond, it is vital for all university administrators to communicate a direct stance of support for their Jewish students. Campus leaders have a responsibility to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all members of their campus community. . Anti-Semitism not only harms the targeted individuals but also creates a climate of fear and intimidation for the larger Jewish community on campus. The public statements from Presidents Kaler and Miranda help shape the community climate by reinforcing the message that anti-Semitism on campus is incongruent with the university’s values and will not be tolerated. . Speaking out against anti-Semitism is a first step. It is important for all college and university administrators to understand the best practices for combating campus anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism, and to follow-up with structural changes which protect Jewish students on campus. . The Brandeis Center applauds Presidents Kaler and Miranda for their public responses to anti-Semitism and encourages other administrations to follow their lead.