Last week a coalition of 14 national organizations including the Brandeis Center sent a letter to the presidents of more than 2500 four-year U.S. colleges and universities, urging them to protect Jewish students in light of the alarming rise in anti-Semitism both here and around the world. The letter, authored by the Zionist Organization of America, was written in response to the recent sharp rise in campus anti-Semitic events triggered in part by the latest Hamas war against Israel. The work of this coalition builds on the Louis D. Brandeis Center’s previous work to inform university presidents of best practices for identifying and combating campus anti-Semitism. Please find the resource guide and best practices here. The letter also builds on LDB’s recent White Paper, which provides recommendations to universities, Congress and the Department of Education on how to address bias in federally funded Middle East Studies programs. The letter is a reminder to publicly funded schools that they are obliged under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic harassment, intimidation and discrimination. Citing requirements under Title VI, the letter urges college presidents to take the necessary steps to safeguard Jewish students’ physical and emotional safety and well-being on their campus. The letter highlights in particular, tactics of harassment and intimidation by the campus group Students For Justice In Palestine (SJP). Some of the most egregious acts occurred at Temple University, Vassar College, Northeastern University, New York University, and UCLA. Temple University – at a campus event a Jewish student was hit in the face by another student at the information table of SJP. Others seated at the SJP table reportedly yelled vile anti-Semitic taunts such as “kike” and “Zionist pig.” Vassar College – SJP tried to shut down a class trip to Israel to study water issues. Also, the SJP posted a disgusting Nazi propaganda poster on its Tumblr page. Northeastern University – the SJP has endorsed terrorism against Israeli Jews and called for Israel’s destruction. SJP planted authentic-looking “eviction notices” under dorm room doors of Jewish students, which made demonizing allegations against Israel. New York University – SJP chapter engaged in similar anti-Semitic intimidation tactics. The “eviction notices” were even more blatantly geared to inciting hatred of Jews, by falsely accusing Israel of trying to “ethnically cleanse” the region of Arabs. The notice to college presidents also declares that, “there are many regimes around the world guilty of unspeakable atrocities and grave human rights violations. But student groups like the SJP – with support from anti-Israel faculty and outside groups – focus their rage singularly on Israel, condemning the Jewish State with a viciousness that is not applied to anyone else. And Jews around the world are being held collectively responsible for Israel’s actions, which are defensive and undertaken to protect its people.” A copy of US government standards defining contemporary global anti-Semitism was enclosed with the letter. The letter also made recommendations to university presidents to take the following steps to protect Jewish students on campus. Review and augment campus security so that they are prepared for and able to respond to violence, and alert local police officials to the potential for violence. Provide a clear mechanism for reporting harassment, intimidation and hate crimes on campus. Issue strong public statements to the university community, urging students, faculty and others to engage in discussion and debate in a civil, tolerant and respectful manner. Respond promptly to anti-Semitic incidents by publicly condemning them and the perpetrators, and affirming that anti-Semitism is inconsistent with university values. Immediately and thoroughly respond to possible infractions of university rules and policies, and hold wrongdoers accountable for their misconduct. Immediately report alleged or suspected criminal conduct to the appropriate authorities. Familiarize administrators, faculty, security and other university personnel with the U.S. government standards on anti-Semitism, which explain when anti-Israelism and anti-Zionism cross the line into anti-Semitism. Ensure that all forms of anti-Semitism are a focus of the university’s diversity education for students, staff and faculty, and provide appropriate oversight of students and student groups that engage in anti-Semitic conduct. Issue a statement to faculty making it clear that students must be able to express their views in class without fear of intimidation or reprisal from other students or professors. Exercise moral leadership by publicly condemning anti-Israelism that crosses the line into anti-Semitism. These recommendations are intended to ensure that no one should be subject to a campus climate of fear and intimidation, “which can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of students and create conditions that negatively affect their learning and their ability to achieve their full potential.”